Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Libr.a.ry 


%7\:i 


52d  Congress,  )  HOUSE  OF  EEPEESENTATIVES.  (  Ex.  Doc.  1>35, 
1st  ^Session,      )  (        Part  1. 


LETTER 


FKOM  THE 


SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY, 


TRANSMITTING 


A  REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS  OF  IMMIGRATION 
UPON  THE  CAUSES  WHICH  INCITE  IMMIGRA- 
TION TO  THE  UNITED   STATES. 


VOLUME    I. 

REPORTS  OF  COMMISSIONERS. 


washingto:n^: 

GOVERNMENT   PRINTING   OFFICE. 
1892. 


.A2. 
a 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


LETTER 


FROM 


THE  SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY, 


TRANSMITTING 


Information  to  the  House  of  Representatives  pursuant  to  resolutions  of 

January  16,  1892. 


February  25,   1892. — Riiforred  to  the  Select  Committee  on  Immigration  and  Nat- 
uralization and  ordered  to  be  printed. 


/  Treasury  Department, 

Office  of  the  Secretary, 
Washington,  1).  0.,  February  22,  1892. 

Sir:  Under  authority  contained  in  sundry  civil  act  of  March  3,  1891, 
for  the  enforcement  of  alien  contract  labor  laws,  I  appointed  a  commis- 
sion in  June  last  with  instructions  to  investigate  in  Europe  and  report 
to  me  the  facts  respecting  the  importation  into  the  United  States  of 
alien  contract  laborers,  and,  incidentally,  to  obtain  all  accessible  in- 
formation as  to  the  immigration  of  other  classes  of  aliens  whose  land- 
ing in  the  United  States  is  prohibited  by  our  laws.  This  commission 
consisted  of  Hon.  John  B.  Weber,  commissioner  of  immigraiion  at  the 
port  of  jSTew  York,  as  chairman,  and  the  following-named  special  immi- 
grant insijectors:  Judson  l!^.  Cross,  of  Minnesota;  AValter  Kempster, 
M.  D.,  of  Wisconsin;  Joseph  Powderly,  of  Pennsylvania;  and  Herman 
J.  Schulteis,  of  Washington,  D.  0.  A  copy  of  the  written  instructions 
under  which  these  commissioners  visited  Europe  is  appended  hereto 
and  marked  Exhibit  A. 

The  members  of  this  commission  having  performed  their  duties  in 
the  several  countries  of  Euroioe,  returned  home  in  October  and  ^o- 
vember  last  and  submitted  to  this  Department,  through  their  chair- 
man, their  several  reports  on  or  about  the  22d  ultimo.  As  these  re- 
ports with  the  accompanying  exhibits  are  very  voluminous  and  reached 
the  Deparrment  without  any  index  of  their  contents,  I  directed  the 
preparation  of  a  full  index,  and  Dr.  Kempster,  one  member  of  the  com- 
mission, has  been  employed  upon  this  work  since  the  receipt  of  the 
documents  by  the  Department.  It  was  my  intention  to  submit  these  re- 
ports to  Congress  as  soon  as  this  preparation  had  been  made,  as  indi- 
cated in  my  ajinual  report. 


2      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

In  partial  response  to  the  resolution  adopted  by  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives on  the  10th  instant,  I  now  have  the  honor  to  transmit 
herewith  the  reports  of  the  special  immigration  commissioners  to  Euroi)e, 
with  all  accompanying  documents.  In  doing  so  I  venture  to  invite  at- 
tentiou  to  the  brief  expression  of  my  views  in  regard  to  existing  immi- 
gration laws  as  contained  in  ray  annual  report  to  Congress  submitted  in 
Siovember  last.  It  is  further  my  opinion,  confirmed  by  the  results  of 
the  recent  investigation  in  Europe,  that  any  additional  legislation  by 
Congress  for  the  regidation  of  immigration  to  the  United  States  ought 
to  cover  the  following  features: 

(1)  The  cubic  air  space  for  each  immigrant  passenger  on  board  ship 
ought  to  be  largely  increased. 

(2)  I  believe  the  present  head  tax  of  50  cents  each  upon  alien  innni- 
grant  should  be  abolished,  and  would  recommend  the  substitution  of  a 
special  license  tax  upon  the  several  steamships  equal  to  $1  for  each  alien 
immigrant  brought  by  them,  respectively,  from  any  port  of  Europe  to 
any  port  of  the  United  States.  The  increased  immigrant  fund  thus 
produced  could  be  advantageously  emidoyed  in  further  reguhiting  im- 
migration and  pj-exenting  the  importation  of  alien  contract  laborers. 

(3)  The  owners  or  agents  of  each  vessel  engaged  in  bringing  alien 
passengers  to  the  United  States  should  be  required  to  furnish  a  bond 
in  a  sum  not  less  than  850,000,  conditioned  that  they  Avill  return  to  the 
countries  from  which  they  came  all  alien  immi.uTants  brought  by  such 
vessels  and  found  within  two  years  from  date  of  their  landing  to  have 
been  landed  contraiy  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States. 

(4)  I  believe  that  some  system  of  preliminary  inspection  of  immi- 
grants before  their  embarkation  at  the  European  jjorts  is  absolutely 
essential  to  the  proper  regnlation  of  the  immigration  business.  If  such 
a  system  of  foi  eign  examiimtion  could  be  placed  under  the  general  su- 
pervision of  commissioners  and  inspectors  appointed  by  tliis  Govern- 
ment, and  responsible  in  a  general  way  to  United  States  consuls  in  the 
various  countries  of  Europe,  I  believe  that  much  assistance  would  be 
derived  from  the  voluntary  and  efficient  cooperation  of  the  owners, 
agents,  and  subagents  of  the  various  transportation  companies. 

Kespectfully  yours, 

Charles  Foster, 

Secretary, 
The  Speaker  of  the  House  of  ^Representatives. 


^  Exhibit  A. 

Treasury  Department, 
Office  of  the  Secretary, 

Washington,  i>.  C,  Jime  26^  1891, 
Gentlemen:  You  are  hereby  designated  a  commission,  with  Hon. 
J.  B.  Weber  as  chairman,  for  the  pmpose  of  investigating  in  Europe  the 
subject  of  immigration  to  the  United  States,  under  the  provisions  of 
the  act  prohibiting  the  immigration  of  alien  contract  laborers.  Ton  are 
hereby  instructed  to  proceed  to  London,  England,  sailingfrom  the  port 
of  New  York  without  unnecessary  delay.  On  arriving  in  London  you 
will  meet,  oi ganize  in  such  a  manner  as  will  best  piomote  effective 
work  and  economy  of  expenditure,  and  adopt  and  carry  out  proper 
measures  for  making  a  thorough  inquiry  as  herein  directed. 

You  will  ascertain  as  tar  as  possible  and  report  to  this  Department — 
The])rincipal  causes  which  operate  in  the  several  countries  of  Europe 
to  incite  emigration  to  the  United  States. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      3 

The  extent  to  which  the  movement  is  promoted  or  stimulated  by 
steamship  or  other  carrying  companies  or  their  agents  for  the  resulting 
passenger  business. 

'  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged,  openly  or  covertly, 
for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for 
what  classes  of  employment. 

The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  de- 
fectives, paupers  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  per- 
sons afflicted  with  loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious  disea-ses  are 
encouraged  or  aided  to  migrate  to  the  United  States  in  violation  of  our 
laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement  is  furnished  systematically 
or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  communities,  or  gov- 
ernment authorities. 

The  extent  to  which  and  the  manner  in  which,  if  at  all,  the  steam- 
ship or  other  transx)ortation  companies,  or  their  agents,  inquire  into 
the  character  or  condition  of  intending  emigrants  with  a  view  to  reject- 
ing those  who  come  within  the  classes  excluded  by  the  laws  of  the 
United  States,  and  generally  what  checks,  if  any,  are  applied  in  Eu- 
rope to  the  migration  to  this  country  of  members  of  the  prohibited 
classes. 

The  extent  to  which  such  a  preliminary  inquiry  by  transportation 
companies  or  their  agents  in  Europe  can  be  made  effective  through  the 
vohmtary  cooperation  of  the  comi^anies,  and  the  best  method  of  carry- 
ing it  out.  In  this  connection  it  is  suggested  that  you  confer,  so  far  as 
convenient,  with  owners  and  agents  of  steamship  lines  at  the  i)rincipal 
ports  of  Europe. 

Whether  it  would  be  practicable  tq  adopt  and  apply  an  effective 
system  of  examinations  of  intending  enjigrants  by  American  consuls 
in  foreign  countries,  or  oflftcers  under  their  direction,  together  with  the 
X)robable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if  adopted. 

Whether  there  is  any  considerable  migration  from  any  Eurojiean 
countries  of  adult  males,  unaccompanied  by  families,  with  the  purpose 
of  returning  to  Europe  after  a  limited  period,  and  whether  there  is  any 
consi«]erable  return  movement  of  Europeans  who  have  once  settled  in 
the  United  States,  with  the  causes,  if  such  movement  exist. 

You  are  requested,  as  far  as  x>ossible,  to  localize  your  facts  geographi- 
cally. 

You  are  exi)ected  to  distribute  the  work  among  yourselves  in  such 
manner  as  will  bring  best  results.  You  are  authorized  to  employ,  from 
time  to  time,  such  number  of  interpreters  and  stenographers  as  may  be 
absolutely  necessary  to  effective  work,  and  at  reasonable  and  usual 
rates  of  compensation. 

At  the  close  of  your  investigations  you  will  assemble  at  some  point 
for  consultation  prior  to  embarkation,  and  ujjon  your  arrival  home  you 
will  submit  a  report,  in  writing,  through  your  chairman. 
Respectfully  yours, 

Charles  Foster, 

Secretary, 

Hon.  J.  B.  Weber, 

CommiHsioner  of  Immigration^  Port  of  New  York, 

Capt.  JuDSON  X.  Cross, 

Dr.  W^ ALTER  Kempster, 

Mr.  Joseph  Powderly, 

Mr.  H.  J.  SOHULTEIS, 

Immigrant  Inspectors, 


4      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Office  of  U.  S.  Commissioner  of  Immigration, 

Port  of  New  York, 

January  21^  1892. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  transmit  herewith  my  report  as  chairman 
of  the  ^'  Commission  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  investigatiug  in  Eu- 
rope the  subject  of  emigration  to  the  United  States,"  under  date  of 
July  1,  1891. 

Upon  the  points  which,  under  your  instructions,  there  was  a  possi- 
bility of  reaching  the  same  conclusion,  Commissioner  Kempster  unites 
with  me  in  the  findings.  Commissioners  Cross  and  Powderly,  while 
agreeing  with  us  upon  these  points  in  some  respects,  present  different 
views  as  to  the  proper  method  of  inspection.  As  the  commissioners 
divided  the  territory  as  directed  by  you,  the  observations  are  neces- 
sarily presented  in  separate  reports,  made  by  the  respective  commis- 
sioners, except  as  to  Commissioners  Kempster  and  Weber,  who  were 
together  throughout  the  trip. 

The  reports  of  Commissioners  Cross,  Powderly,  and  Schulteis,  with 
exhibits,  are  also  transmitted,  except  as  to  exhibits  referred  to  in  Com- 
missioner Schulteis's  report,  which  have  not  been  received. 

Commissioner  Schulteis  states  that  he  reports  "  in  accordance  with 
printed  instructions  dated  June  18,  1891,"  which  instructions  I  have 
not  seen.  It  would  ai)pear  that  the  subsequent  instructions  of  July  1, 
1891,  under  which  all  the  other  commissioners  acted,  were  not  sent,  or 
failed  to  reach  him,  and  this  regretable  circumstance  i)robab]y  ac- 
counts for  the  fact  that  he  acted  independently  of  the  commission  in 
respect  of  division  of  territory  as  well  as  in  other  matters. 
Very  resi)ectfully,  your^, 

Jno.  B.  Weber, 
Chairman  European  Immigration  Commission, 

Hon.  Charles  Foster, 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury,'  Washington^  D.  (?• 


REPORT  OF  COMMISSIONERS  WEBER  AND  KEMPSTER. 


ITew  York,  Noveinher  18,  1891, 

Sir:  Tlie  unclersigned,  members  of  the  couimissiou  appoiuted  for  the 

purpose  of  investigatiug  in  Europe  the  subject  of  iuimigratiou  to  the 

United  States,  beg  leave  to  submit  herewith  their  report,  under  and  in 

accordance  with  the  following  letters  of  appointment  and  iustructions: 

Treasury  Department,  Office  of  the  Secretary, 

*  Washington,  1).  C.  July  1,  ISOl. 

Gentlemen:  You  are  hereby  designated  a  commission,  with  Hon.  J.  B.  Weber  as 
chairman,  lor  the  purpose  of  investigating  in  Europe  the  subject  of  immigration  to 
the  United  States  under  the  provisions  of  the  act  prohibiting  the  immigrjtiou  of 
alien  contract  laborers.  You  are  hereby  instructed  to  proceed  to  London,  England, 
sailing  from  the  port  of  New  York  without  unnecessary  delay.  On  arriving  in 
London  you  will  meet,  organiz,e  in  such  manner  as  will  best  prouu)te  etiective  work 
and-economy  of  expenditure  and  adopt  and  carry  out  proper  measures  for  making  a 
thorough  inquiry  aa  herein  directed.  You  will  ascertain  as  far  as  possible  and  re- 
port to  this  Department — 

The  principal  causes  which  operate  in  the  several  countries  of  Europe  to  incite 
emigration  to  the  United  States ; 

The  extent  to  which  the  movement  is  promoted  or  stiuuilated  by  steamship  or  other 
carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resulting  passenger  business; 

The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged,  openly  or  covertly,  for  expor- 
tation to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes  of  employ- 
ment ; 

The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives,  pau- 
pers, or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  pers<ms  afflicted  with  loath- 
some or  dangerous  contagious  diseases  are  encouraged  or  aided  to  migrate  to  the 
Unit^jd  States  in  violation  of  our  laws,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  commit- 
tees, or  government  authorities; 

The  extent  to  which  and  the  manner  in  which,  if  at  all,  the  steamship  or  other 
transportation  companies,  or  their  agents,  inquire  into  the  character  or  condition  of 
intending  emigrants  with  a  view  to  rejecting  those  who  come  within  the  classes  ex- 
cluded by  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  generally  what  checks,  if  any,  are  ap- 
plied in  Europe  to  the  migration  to  this  country  of  members  of  the  prohibitetl  classes; 

The  extent  to  which  a  preliminary  inquiry  by  transportation  companies  or  their 
agents  in  Europe  can  be  made  etfectivc  through  the  voluntary  coiiperation  of  the 
companies  and  the  best  method  of  carrying  it  out;  in  this  connection  it  is  suggested 
that  you  confer,  so  far  as  convenient,  with  owners  and  agents  of  steamship  lines  at 
the  principal  ports  of  Europe; 

Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of  exam- 
inations of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  in  foreign  countries,  or  othcers 
under  their  direction,  together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system 
if  adopted; 

Whether  there  is  any  considerable  migration  from  European  countries,  of  adult 
males,  unaccompanied  by  families,  with  the  purpose  of  returning  to  Europe  after  a 
limited  period,  and  whether  there  is  any  considerable  return  movement  of  Europeans 
who  have  once  settled  in  the  United  States,  with  the  causes,  if  such  movement  exists. 

You  are  requested,  as  far  as  possible,  to  localize  your  facts  geographically.  You 
are  expected  to  distTibute  the  work  among  yourselves  in  such  manner  as  will  bring 
best  results.  You  are  authorized  to  employ,  from  time  to  time,  such  number  of  in- 
terpreters and  stenographers  as  may  be  absolutely  necessary  to  elective  work,  and 
at  re&fionable  axMl  iL»aal  rates  of  compensation. 

5 


6      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

At  tlie  close  of  your  investigations  you  will  assemble  at  some  point  for  consulta- 
tion prior  to  embarkation,  and  upon  your  arrival  home  you  will  submit  a  report  in 
"writing  through  your  chairman. 
Respectfully  yours, 

Charles  Foster, 

Secretary. 
Hon.  J.  B.  Weber, 

Commissioner  of  Immigration,  Port  of  Neio  TorJc. 
Capt.  JuDsoN  N.  Cross, 
Dr.  Walter  Kempster, 
Mr.  Joseph  Powderly, 

Mr.  H.  J.  SCHULTEIS, 

Immigrant  Inspectors. 


Treasury  Department,  Office  of  the  Secretary, 

Washington,  D.  C,  July  1,  1891. 
Sir:  As  recommended  in  your  letter  of  the  27th  ultimo,  you  are  hereby  authorized 
to  detail  for  duty  as  secretaryand  interpreter  to  the  immigratiou  commission,  ap- 
pointed to  visit  Europe,  Mr.  Charles  Semsej^,  registry  clerk  in  your  ohice,  without 
additional  compensation.  He  will  be  allowed  his  actual  and  necessary  traveling  ex- 
penses while  so  detailed. 

Mr.  Bartlett,  disbursing  agent,  has  forwarded  the  necessary  salary  vouchers  for 
Mr.  Semsey  to  Gen.  O'Beirne. 
Respectfully  yours, 

Charles  Foster, 

Secretary. 
Superintendent  of  Immigration, 

Barge  Office,  New  York  City. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  tlie  chairman  in  London,  July  19,  a  meeting  ot 
the  commission  was  called  for  the  following  day  at  the  Victoria  Hotel, 
at  which  all  the  meuibers  were  present  excei^t  Commissiouer  Cross, 
who  was  engaged  in  prosecuting  inquiries  in  Scotland  and  who  re- 
turned to  London  that  night.  After  organization  it  was  decided  that 
a  circular  letter  to  consuls  should  be  prepared,  printed,  and  mailed 
(which  was  done  through  the  courtesy  and  assistance  of  Oonsul-General 
New),  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : 

circular  letter  to  consuls. 

[CONFIDENTIAL.]  LONDON,  July  21, 1891. 

Sir:  The  undersigned  have  been  designated  a  commission  to  investigate  in  Europe 
the  subject  of  innuigratiou  to  tlie  United  States  and  are  furnished  with  letters  from 
the  State  Department  addressed  "To  the  diplomatic  and  consular  officers  of  the 
United  States"  invoking  ''such  official  courtesies  as  may  be  in  your  power,"  etc. 

It  is  intended  to  visit  as  many  of  the  consulates  as  possible;  but  as  we  cau  not 
reach  all  in  such  manner,  we  beg  to  request  that,  so  far  as  convenient,  you  will  have 
prepared  and  forwarded  by  registered  mail  to  the  chairman  of  this  commission,  in 
care  of  the  consulate  at  Bremen,  brief  answers  to  the  questions  stated  below,  with 
such  documentary  evidence  as  may  be  available,  ;ind  such  otlier  statements,  affi- 
davits, and  documents  as,  in  your  opinion,  will  prove  of  benefit  to  the  investigation 
we  are  directed  to  make. 
Very  respectfully, 

Jno.  B.  Weber  (Chairman), 
Walter  Kempster,  M.  D. 
JuDSON  N.  Cross, 
Joseph  Powderly, 
H.  J.  Shulteis, 
Meml)(rs  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasury  Department. 

(1)  The  extent  to  which  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by  steamvship 
or  other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents  for  the  resulting  passenger  business. 

(2)  The  extent  to  wliicli  contract  laborers  are  engage*?  openly  or  covertly  for  ex- 
portation to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies  and  for  what  classes  of  em- 
ploy ment. 

(3)  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives, 
paupers  or  other  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  persons  aliflicted  with 
loathsome  or  contagious  diseases  are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to  the  United 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.       7 

States  In  violation  of  our  laws,  aud  whetlier  the  aid  or  eucouragcmeut  is  furnished 
systematically  or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  committees,  or  gov- 
ernment authorities. 

(4)  Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of  ex- 
amination of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  or  officers  under  their  direc- 
tion, together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if  adopted. 

In  connection  with  this  last  inquiry  it  will  be  important  to  ascertain  what  original 
certiticatioii  will  be  required  to  enable  consuls  to  pass  upon  the  eligibility  of  the  in- 
tending emigrant,  whether  detection  of  contract  laborers  and  criminals  will  be  mate- 
rially improved,  and  to  what  extent,  if  any,  the  laws  governing  military  service  would 
prevent  immigration  of  those  within  the  military  age  by  any  system  of  consular  in- 
spection. 

(5)  Is  emigration  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation,  and  if  so,  what 
classes,  in  respect  of  age  and  condition,  are  affected? 

(6)  What  disposition  is  made  of  alien  criminals  or  paupers?  Are  they  returned  to 
the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance  or  sent  across  the  border,  and  if  so,  what 
are  tlie  substantial  features  of  the  laws  or  regulations  governing  their  disposal. 

(7)  Please  furnish  also  the  substantial  features  of  laws  regulating  emigration  or 
immigration,  if  any,  in  the  country  where  you  are  stationed. 

(8)  Do  you  know  of  any  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  divert  emigration 
from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  emigrants  alleged  to  be  excluded 
from  their  own  country  ? 

(9)  Do  you  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restricting  emigra- 
tion on  which  the  Government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  would  be  likely  to 
cooperate  with  the  United  States? 

(a)  On  what  points  do  you  think  such  cooperation  would  be  to  the  interest  of  the 
United  States? 

(6)  On  wliat  points,  if  any,  do  you  think  the  interests  of  the  United  States  and  the 
Government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  clash  in  the  matter  of  emigration? 

P.  S. — This  information  will  be  treated  as  contidential  as  far  as  possible. 

It  was  considered  best  by  the  Commission  that  they  go  to  Liverpool 
in  a  body,  because  the  cliainnan  of  the  Commission,  being  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Immigration  at  New  York,  was  familiar  with  matters  pertain- 
ing to  the  subject  of  immigration,  and  the  other  members  of  the  Com- 
mission not  having  had  previous  experience  desired  to  avail  themselves 
of  such  information  as  the  chairman  might  be  able  to  communicate  dur- 
ing tlie  investigation  at  that  place.  It  was  therefore  unanimously  re- 
solved to  proceed  to  Liverpool  on  the  next  day  at  10  a.  m.  for  the  pur- 
pose of  attending  a  conference  with  the  steamship  agents  of  Great 
Britain,  in  accordance  with  a  previous  arrangement,  and  for  the  purpose 
of  inspecting  and  examining  the  methods  attending  the  reception,  dis- 
position, and  prevailing  system  of  embarkation  of  emigrants  at  the  port 
of  Liverpool,  which  is  one  of  the  most  important  in  Europe  in  respect  of 
emigration. 

As  the  immigration  statistics  showed  an  unusually  large  emigration 
from  Italy  and  Russia  to  the  United  States,  indicating  abnormal  causes, 
these  points  were  regarded  especiallj^  important,  and  it  was  therefore 
agreed,  after  consideration,  that  the  work  should  be  distributed  and 
the  Commissioners  assigned  as  follows : 

ASSiaNMENT  OF  TERRITORY. 

Messrs.  Weber  and  Kempster  were  assigned  to  Northern  France, 
Holland,  Belgium,  Germany,  Eussia,  Austria,  and  Hungary.  Messrs. 
Cross,  Powderly,  and  Schulteis  were  assigned  to  Great  Britain,  southern 
France,  Switzerland,  Italy,  and  such  portions  of  Germany  as  could  be 
visited  without  interfering  with  the  agreed  plan  of  assignment,  having 
in  view  the  completion  of  their  labors  so  as  to  meet  at  Bremen  or  Ham- 
burg the  latter  part  of  September  or  1st  of  October,  at  one  of  which 
places  it  w^as  contemplated  to  hold  a  conference  with  representatives  of 
the  continental  steamship  lines  similar  to  that  to  be  held  at  Liverpool 
with  the  representatives  of  the  British  liues. 


8 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


Iiiasmucli  as  tlie  imiriigration  from  France,  Belgium,  and  Holland  has 
been  and  is  comparatively  small  in  numbers,  the  statistics  showing 
arrivals  at  New  York  for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1891,  from  France, 
4,388;  Belgium,  2,458;  Holland,  4,141,  it  was  concluded  that  a  de- 
tailed investigation  in  these  countries  outside  of  their  seaports  might 
be  spared.  As  it  was  desirable  to  limit  operations  so  as  to  malvC  our 
report  available  as  early  as  possible,  4}he  Scandinavian  countries, 
Sweden,  Korway,  and  Denmark,  were  not  visited.  The  substance  of 
their  laws  on  emigration  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii. 

Before  separating  each  member  of  the  Commission  was  furnished  with 
the  following  copy  of  the  propositions  to  be  examined  into,  with  sug- 
gestions accomiDanying  each  proposition  as  to  the  method  of  pursuing 
the  investigations: 

PROPOSITIONS  AND  SUGGESTIONS  TO   COMMISSIONERS. 

Propositions. 

The  principal  causes  which  operate  in 
the  several  countries  in  Europe  to  incite 
emigration. 

The  extent  to  which  the  movement  is 
promoted  or  stimulated  by  steamship  or 
other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents, 
for  the  resulting  passenger  business. 


The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers 
are  engaged,  openly  or  covertly,  I'or  ex- 
portation to  the  United  iStatcs,  through 
what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes  of 
employment. 


The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane 
persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives, 
paupers  or  persons  likely  to  become  a 
public  charge,  and  persons  afflicted  with 
loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious 
diseases  arc  encouraged  or  aided  to  mi- 
grate to  the  United  States,  in  violation 
of  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  en- 
couragement  is  furnished  systematically 
or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives, 
societies,  committees  or  Government  au- 
thorities. 


Inquire  of  individual  emigrants.  As- 
certain status  of  labor  market. 

Inquire  of  consuls,  who  informed  in- 
dividuals of  conditions  in  our  country. 

Visit  steamship  agents'  offices  and  ex- 
amine their  advertising  circulars. 

Exaudne  newspaper  advertisements. 

Ascertain  number  of  agents  and  sub- 
agents. 

Ascertain  commissions  paid  on  tickets. 

Ascertain  if  innuigration  is  stimulated 
by  agencies  for  the  sake  of  the  commis- 
sion on  steamship  and  railroad  fares  and 
for  settlement  of  lands. 

Ascertain  if  intelligence  offices  make 
profit  in  forwarding  help. 

Ascertain  movement  to  Canadian  ports 
to  determine  whether  it  has  increased  re- 
cently; what  licenses  are  required  for 
ticket  agents,  boarding  houses,  etc. ;  the 
requirements  and  penalties  thereof;  are 
bonds  necessary. 

Ascertain  to  what  extent  the  ticket 
agent  or  subagent  has  personal  ac(iuaint- 
ance  withticketpurchaser,  or  what  means 
said  agent  has  for  determining  the  char- 
acter of  the  purchaser. 

Examine  newspapers  and  other  ad- 
vertisements. Visit  intelligence  offices 
and  ascertain  whether  contracts  can  be 
made  for  men,  and  learn  the  methods 
usually  employed. 

In  Italy,  employ  reliable  interpreter 
through  consul;  get  list  of  men  reputed 
to  be  engaged  in  padrone  work,  banking 
business,  ticket  selling,  etc. 

Travel  incognito  in  some  places. 

Consult  with  consuls. 

Visit  institutions  and  ascertain  where 
the  overflow  goes. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


Proposiiions — Continued. 

The  extent  to  which  and  the  manner 
in  which,  if  at  all,  steamship  or  other 
transportation  comi>aniesor  their  agents 
inquire  into  the  character  or  condition 
of  intending  emigrants,  with  a  view  to 
rejecting  those  who  come  within  the 
classes  excluded  by  the  laws  of  the 
United  States,  and  generally  what  checks, 
if  any,  are  ap])lied  in  Europe  to  the  mi- 
gration to  this  country  of  members  of  the 
prohibited  classes. 


The  extent  to  which  such  a  preliminary 
inquiry  by  transportation  companies  or 
their  agents  in  Europe  can  be  made  effec- 
tive through  the  voluntary  coiiperatiou 
of  the  companies  and  the  best  method  of 
carrying  it  out. 

Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to 
adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of 
examinatioiis  of  intending  emigrants  by 
American  consuls  in  foreign  countries,  or 
officers  under  their  direction,  together 
with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining 
such  a  system  if  adopted. 

Whctlier  there  is  any  considerable  mi- 
gration from  European  countries  of  adult 
males  unaccompanied  by  families  with 
the  pnrposc  of  returning  to  Europe  after 
a  limited  period,  and  whether  there  is  any 
considerable  return  movement  of  Euro- 
peans who  have  once  settled  in  the 
IJnited  States,  with  the  causes  if  such 
movement  exists. 


Suggestions — Continued 

Investigate  methods  of  embarkation. 

Visit  boarding  houses. 

Obtain  directions  printed  and  circu- 
lated by  steamship  companies  or  their 
agents. 

Ascertain  what  medical  inspection  is 
in  vogue. 

Ascertain  if  rejected  emigrants  are 
taken  by  other  lines. 

Obtain  emigration  laws,  if  any,  of  the 
several  countries  through  consuls. 

Obtain  laws  governing  residence  of  a 
person  not  a  citizen  through  consul. 

Make  notes,  giving  dates,  localities, 
and  names  of  witnesses. 

In  this  connection  it  is  suggested  that 
you  confer,  so  far  as  convenient,  with 
owners  and  agents  of  steamship  lines  at 
the  i)riucipal  ports  of  Europe. 

Ascertain  if  steamship  agents  will  meet 
the  Commission,  say  in  Bremen  or  Berlin, 
for  such  conference. 

Consult  with  consuls. 

How  much  machinery  is  required? 

How  would  permissive  certification 
answer? 

Who  would  pay  consuls? 

W^ould  it  lead  to  solicitation  of  busi- 
ness by  consuls  for  the  sake  of  fees? 

Obtain  number  of  steerage  passengers 
for  the  past  year  by  months  arriving  in 
Europe  who  return  to  the  United  States 
again  in  the  steerage. 

Inquire  of  steamship  agents. 

Our  records  at  New  York  will  show  per- 
centage of  males  and  females. 


VISIT  TO  LIVERPOOL. 


On  the  next  day,  Jnly  21,  the  commissioners,  except  Commissioner 
Sclmltcis,  went  to  Liverpool,  arriving  there  in  tlie  afternooii.  They 
spent  the  rest  of  the  day  in  visiting  the  several  emigrant  boarding 
houses,  which  are  under  tlie  control  of  the  principal  steamship  lines, 
who  regulate  the  charges,  receive  emigrants  at  the  various  railway 
stations;  and  conduct  them  to  the  boarding  houses,  where  they  are 
inspected  by  the  ships'  surgeons  during  their  tem^wrary  stay.  These 
houses  are  dnly  licensed  by,  audare  under  the  control  and  regulation 
of,  tlie  local  authorities.  The  management  of  all  these  houses,  and  the 
arrangement  for  the  comfort  and  welfare  of  the  emigrants,  seem  to  be 
satisfactory.  Peterson's  being  the  largest  establishment  of  the  kind, 
we  made  there  a  more  careful  and  thorough  inspection.  It  was  for- 
merly oc(!upied  as  a  city  hospital,  and  is  well  adapted  for  the  purpose 
for  which  it  is  now  used.  The  place  was  m  good  order  throughout, 
being  clean,  thoroughly  ventilated  from  kitchen  to  garret,  and  the  food 
furnished  good,  wholesome,  and  well  prepared. 

The  honse  was  filled  with  persons  of  various  nationalities  awaiting 
their  sailing  date,  and,  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  the  causes  which 
operated  '^  to  incite  emigration  to  the  United  States,"  we  talked  freely 
with  them.  This  plan  was  followed  everywhere  we  went,  and  as  the 
reasons  assigned  (with  the  exception  of  one  class)  indicated  generally 


10     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

what  may  be  termed  a  normal  emigration,  meaning  thereby  emigration 
springing  from  natural  causes,  such  as  a  desire  to  improve  conditions 
or  to  reunite  with  families  and  relatives,  and  not  such  as  is  due  to  a 
jjropulsive  force,  compelling  emigration,  and  which  is  local  in  its  appli- 
cation and  within  the  power  of  foreign  governments  to  end,  these  rea- 
sons will  be  summarized  later  on  in  this  report,  under  that  head  which 
specifically  treats  of  our  findings  relative  to  the  first  clause  of  the  de- 
partmental instructions.  The  class  mentioned  above  as  furnishing  ex- 
ceptional causes  for  ''inciting  emigration"  refers  to  Eussian  refugees. 
The  substance  of  the  statements  of  two  of  these,  from  notes  taken  at 
the  time,  we  give  herewith.  Their  reliability  may,  perhaps,  be  judged 
in  the  light  of  statements  which  will  be  found  further  on  in  that  part 
of  the  report  relating  particularly  to  the  investigation  of  the  conditions 
in  Russia. 

Joseph  Hirsch,  27  years  old,  accompanied  by  wife  and  two  children, 
claimed  to  have  been  expelled  from  Libau,  Russia,  where  he  had  been 
in  the  business  of  carting.  He  owned  a  horse  and  wagon,  with  which 
he  earned  from  3  to  4  rubles  per  day  (a  ruble  is  worth  now  about  50 
cents).  He  was  notified  by  the  police  to  leave  at  once,  and  furnished 
with  a  permit  entitling  him  to  remain  only  one  night  in  any  place. 
His  wife  and  children  were  forwarded  two  days  later.  His  horse, 
wagon,  and  property  were  seized  by  the  police.  His  destination  was 
Montreal,  Canada.  The  city  of  Libau,  he  said,  contains  from'  5,000  to 
6,000  families,  from  which  800  families  were  expelled  in  one  month. 
Some  of  these  families  were  sent  to  Canada,  but  more  than  one-half 
went  to  the  Argentine  Republic,  none  of  them  being  sent  to  the  United 
States.  Tliey  were  furnished  with  money  by  a  committee  who,  accord- 
ing to  his  behef,  were  j)rovided  with  funds  by  Baron  Hirsch,  with  Baron 
Rothschild  as  a  cocontributor.  He  said  that  he  had  but  a  few  pennies 
in  his  possession,  but  that,  as  he  is  able  and  willing  to  work,  he  believes 
the  "  good  Lord  Avould  provide  for  him."  Nearly  all  the  rest  of  the 
Hebrews  who  came  with  him  had  gone  to  their  destination,  he  being 
detained  on  account  of  the  temporary  illness  of  his  child.  The  man's 
appearance  indicated  sobriety  and  industry. 

Another  case  was  that  of  a  Jew,  against  whom  it  was  alleged  that  he 
had  violated  the  excise  law,  for  which  he  was  fined  1,600  marks  and 
six  months'  imprisonment.  He  claimed  to  have  carried  on  his  business 
in  his  usual  and  theretofore  considered,  proper  manner,  and  showed  us 
a  certificate,  which  he  explained  was  signed  by  the  authorities  at  his 
place  certifying  to  his  good  character  and  industry.  He  left  Russia 
by  stealth,  and  was  forwarded  from  point  to  point  by  the  committee 
referred  to,  his  destination  being  the  Argentine  Republic. 

In  the  evening  we  met  Mr. ,*  a  gentleman  connected  with  the 

press  both  in  England  and  this  country,  from  whom  we  learned  that  a 
Mrs.  Burke,  the  Rev.  Major  Lester,  and  the  Rev.  Canon  Rosten  were 
engaged  in  sending  to  Canada  large  numbers  of  orphaned  and  desti- 
tute children  picked  up  from  the  streets  of  Liverpool  j  also  of  a  Mr. 
Torbett,  who  was  engaged  in  advertising  for  farm  and  other  laborers 
for  Canada.  These  cases  were  referred  to  Commissioners  Cross  and 
Powderly,  who,  with  Commissioner  Schulteis,  had  the  assignment  for 
Great  Britain,  for  investigation  and  report. 

On  July  22  the  four  members  of  the  commission  who  were  at  Liver- 
pool took  the  9  a.  m.  train  for  Bootle,  where,  at  the  Alexandra  dock,  we 
boarded  the  steamship  Britannic^  of  the  White  Star  line,  which  was  to 

*  We  do  not  deem  it  advisable  to  give  the  gentleman's  name. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     11 

sail  that  day  for  Xew  York.  A  thorough  inspection  was  made  of  the 
steerage  accommodations,  closets,  hospitals,  and  food  supplies,  and 
everything  was  found  to  be  in  excellent  condition.  We  reached  the 
steamer  before  the  steerage  passengers  had  been  taken  on  board,  in 
order  to  witness  the  methods  of  insi)ection  in  vogue.  The  ship's  sur- 
geon is  stationed  at  the  gang  plank,  and  examines  each  passenger  as 
he  presents  himself,  apparently  with  reference  only  to  such  diseases  as 
are  contagious  and  would  endanger  the  health  or  interfere  with  tlie 
comfort  of  the  other  passengers.  The  tide  permitting,  the  steerage 
passengers  were  embarked  at  the  dock,  while  the  saloon  passengers 
were  brought  aboard  later,  by  means  of  a  tender,  after  the  steamer 
had  pulled  out  into  the  stream.  The  commissioners  again  went  aboard 
with  the  inspector  and  the  physician  of  the  board  of  trade,  who  made 
an  examination  in  accordance  with  prescribed  regulations  covering 
the  sanitary  and  safety  conditions  laid  down  in  the  British  passenger 
act.  The  board  of  tracle  is  a  bureau  of  the  British  Government,  and  is 
charged  with  the  enforcement  of  the  passenger  act  regulating  emigra- 
tion from  Great  Britain.  The  essential  portions  of  the  act  referred 
to,  having  application  to  the  subject  of  emigration,  will  be  found 
in  vol.  II.  The  examination,  as  we  saw  it,  was  thorough  and  as 
careful  as  seems  possible  to  make  it  in  the  limited  time  devoted 
thereto.  The  crew  were  first  mustered  and  inspected,  the  lifeboats 
Avere  examined,  swung  over  the  side,  and  some  lowered  to  test  the 
tackle.  The  entire  steerage  was  then  examined,  closets,  hospitals, 
etc.,  and  in  fact  the  same  examination  was  made  that  we  made  earlier 
in  the  day  while  the  steamer  was  at  the  dock.  The  board  of  trade 
surgeon  then  examined  the  steerage  passengers  as  they  passed  by, 
much  the  same  as  is  done  at  quarantine  and  at  the  immigrant  station 
in  Xew  York,  except  that  at  the  latter  place  cripples  and  other  phys- 
ical defectives  are  turned  aside  for  further  examination.  One  child  was 
discovered  with  symi)toms  of  measles,  and  a  careful  examination  was 
made  in  the  ship's  hospital.  Dr.  Kempster,  of  the  commission,  participat- 
ing. There  being  some  doubt  as  to  the  character  of  the  case,  the  child, 
Avith  the  rest  of  the  family,  consisting  of  father,  mother,  and  two  other 
children,  were  returned  to  the  tender  for  removal  to  hospital  on  shore, 
where  they  were  to  be  detained  until  safe  to  proceed.  This  is  the 
course  always  pursued;  and  the  expense  of  maintaining  the  family  in 
the  hospital  is  borne  entirely  by  the  steamship  company.  Nearly  all 
the  foreign  or  continental  passengers  are  booked  from  their  homes 
through  to  New  York  under  one  contract,  covering  all  costs  for  food, 
transportation,  and  expenses  incidental  to  the  trip,  whether  detained 
by  sickness  or  otherwise.  It  is  claimed  that  proper  agents  accompany 
or  direct  them  from  their  homes  or  from  the  borders  to  the  port  of 
embarkation.  The  system  is  seemingly  quite  perfect,  the  steerage  pas- 
senger being  looked  after  during  the  voyage  (as  he  is  cared  for  and 
dispatched  to  destination  on  arrival  at  New  York)  better  than  the 
first-class  traveler,  who  must  look  out  for  himself. 

Tlie  commissioners  were  of  opinion  that  the  system  and  conditions 
inspected  on  this  day  might  be  considered  as  of  the  better  type,  and 
Commissioners  Cross  and  Powderly  remained  in  Liverpool  with  a  view, 
among  other  things,  of  examining  further  and  ascertaining  if  what  had 
been  seen  was  a  fair  sample  of  the  examination  and  conditions  which 
generally  prevailed. 


12     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 
CONFERENCE  WITH  BRITISH  STEAMSHIP  AGENTS. 

On  the  next  day,  July  23,  the  four  members  of  the  commission  pres- 
ent at  Liverpool  atteiiclcd  a  conference  with  the  steamship  agents  of 
Great  Britain,  as  })er  departmental  instructions,  which  was  held  at  the 
office  of  Hill,  Dickinson  &  Co.,  attorneys  of  the  steamship  association, 
in  accordance  with  a  letter  of  invitation  sent  to  all  of  the  British  lines, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  copy; 

Hill,  Dickinson,  Dickinson  &  Hill, 

10  Water  street,  Liverpool,  21  July,  1891. 
Dear  Sirs  :  You  are  requested  to  attend  at  this  office,  on  Thursday  next,  the  23d 
instant,  at  11  a.  m.,  to  meet  Col.  Weber,  of  the  United  States  Emigration  Depart- 
ment. 

Yours,  truly. 

Gray  Hill. 
Messrs.  Ismay,  Imrie  &  Co., 

White  Star  Line. 

The  following  are  the  lines  so  invited,  with  the  names  of  the  rei)re- 
sentatives  who  appeared  and  the  reasons  reported  in  the  cases  of  those 
lines  not  represented:  White  Star  Line,  Mr.  Graves  and  Mr.  J.  H. 
Ismay;  Inman  and  American  Line,  Mr.  Cochran;  Guion  Line,  Mr. 
Marsh;  National  Line,  Mr.  Langland;  Cunard  Line,  Mr.  Boumphrey; 
Anchor  Line,  not  represented,  reported  "can  not  come;"  Allan  Line, 
reported  ''will  not  come;"  Dominion  Line,  reported ''will  not  come." 

The  meeting  was  opened  by  a  statement  made  by  Chairnmn  Weber, 
giving  briefly  a  history  of  the  legislation  regarding  immigration  into  the 
United  States,  the  determination  of  our  people  to  protect  themselves 
against  undesirable  subjects,  and  the  wisdom  and  necessity  on  the  part 
of  the  transportation  companies  to  give  hearty  cooperation  to  our  offi- 
cials in  making  eifective  existing  laws.  It  was  suggested  to  tlie  steam- 
ship agents  that  a  better  system  of  inspection  on  their  part  seemed 
possible  and  was  necessary.  A  medical  inspection  by  their  surgeons 
as  careful  and  thorougli  as  now  prevails  at  ^ew  York  was  within  their 
power,  and  that  insane,  idiots,  persons  afflicted  with  dangerous,  con- 
tagious, and  loathsome  diseases,  persons  likely  to  become  a  charge 
upon  the  public  by  reason  of  old  age,  pregnancy,  cripples,  and  other 
apparent  pliysical  defects,  could  be  as  readily  detected  at  the  port  of 
embarkation  or  the  initial  starting  point  as  at  the  port  of  landing  in 
the  United  States,  and  unless  such  persons  were  stopped  on  their  side 
they  certainly  would  be  returned  at  the  expense  of  the  steamship  com- 
panies. 

In  reply  it  was  stated  that  a  system  of  inspection  of  pregnant  women 
would  not  be  tolerated  on  their  side,  and  if  undertaken  would  render 
the  steamship  companies  liable  to  action  for  damages.  In  response  it 
was  suggested  that  tliey  might  have  their  laws  changed  to  meet  the 
requirements  which  have  been  or  may  be  established  for  our  protection. 
Their  answer  to  this  was  that  the  regard  for  i)ersonal  liberty  in  Great 
Britain  was  so  great  as  to  preclude  the  i)robability  of  a  change  of  the 
law  in  that  direction. 

Their  subagents  in  Europe  receive  a  commission  of  six  shillings, 
equal  to  $1.50  American  money ,  per  ticket,  while  their  American  agents 
receive  about  $2.  It  was  stated  that  more  than  one-half  of  their  steer- 
age passengers  for  the  United  States  were  forwarded  on  tickets  prepaid 
by  relatives  and  friends  living  in  the  United  States.*  It  was  also  stated 
that  since  the  more  rigorous  enforcement  of  our  immigration  laws  they 

*  From  lines  reporting  107,254  for  the  year,  5fi,004,  or  52  per  cent,  came  on  prepaid 
tickets  sent  &om  the  United  States. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      13 

had  observed  an  increased  number  of  cash  passengers  (those  wlio  are 
not  prepaid)  sailing  for  Canadian  ports,  and  they  anticipated  that  persons 
rejected  by  them  as  being  classed  among  the  undesirable  would  secure 
passage  by  lines  sailing  to  ports  where  restrictions  are  not  in  force. 

The  subagents  of  Great  Britain  are  licensed  by  the  steamship  com 
panies,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  board  of  trade,  in  accordance 
with  the  passenger  acts  of  L855  and  1863.  The  form  of  license  will  be 
found  in  vol.  ii.  The  number  of  such  agents  representing  one  or  more 
transatlantic  lines  reaches  a  total  of  4,084,  divided  as  follows :  Engl*  nd 
1,815;  Ireland,  1,528;  Scotland, 280;  Wales,  265;  Liverpool  (city),  171, "^ 
foreign  (head  agents),  163.  By  agreement  among  steamshij)  companies 
the  subagents  may  act  for  one  or  more  lines,  but  any  breach  of  theii 
rules  or  regulations  is  punishable  by  fine  or  disqualification,  such  dis 
qualification  preventing  them  from  acting  thereafter  for  any  line.  Thf 
regulations  governing  agents,  as  agreed  upon  by  the  conference  com- 
panies, will  be  found  in  vol.  ii.  They  are  issued  in  accordance  with  the 
passenger  acts  which  prohibit  the  selling  of  a  passage  ticket  to  any 
place  out  of  Europe  not  being  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  unless  the 
seller  is  a  licensed  ])roker.  Before  he  can  be  licensed  he  must  give  a 
bond  to  the  Crown  for  £1,000  (section  66,  1855).  Apx>lication  for  such 
a  license  must  be  made  to  the  local  petty  sessions  (section  67).  _ 

The  question  of  inspection  by  consuls  or  by  their  subagents  was 
discusseid,  and  as  they  stated  these  questions  involved  serious  con- 
sieleration,  they  agreed  to  prepare  and  forward  a  statement  from  their 
association  containing  their  views  as  to  the  practicability  of  both  such 
suggested  methods.  This  statement,  with  others  on  the  sa^ne  subject 
from  the  continental  lines,  will  be  found  on  p.  146^  et.  seq.  When 
avsked  whether  a  disqualification  of  their  agents  for  violation  of  rules 
would  not  effectively  operate  to  compel  a  rigorous  inspection  at  the 
initial  points,  if  such  rules  were  prescribed  to  their  subagents,  they 
replied  that  "that  view  had  not  presented  itself  heretofore,"  and 
they  desired  to  fully  consider  it.  Their  present  offhand  opinion,  how- 
ever, was,  that  a  disqualitication  would  be  regarded  as  so  serious  by  the 
subagent  that  he  would  be  extremely  careful  to  comply  with  such 
rules.  It  was  suggested  that  the  proposed  rules,  if  upon  examination 
they  be  deemed  practicable,  should  embrace,  among  other  things,  a 
clause  providing  that  the  subagent  must  Icnoiv  or  ascertain  the  char- 
acter as  to  pauperism,  crime,  and  eligibility  for  landing  in  the  United 
States  of  the  intending  emigrant  before  booking  him,  under  ijenalty 
of  being  compelled  to  pay  the  return  passage  of  the  rejected  immigrant 
with  the  disqualification  allueled  to,  in  glaring  cases.  An  instance  was 
cited  of  the  refusal  on  the  part  of  the  Cunard  agents  to  accept  a  lot 
of  emigrants  on  the  first  report,  because  they  were  suspecteel  of  being 
contract  laborers,  until  their  subagents  had  been  instructed  to  make 
careful  investigation  and  established  the  fact  that  each  individual  paid 
for  his  own  ticket.  They  also  stated  that  in  their  opinion  a  consular 
inspection  would  check  the  emigration  of  the  more  desirable  classes 
without  preventing  the  undesirable  from  gaining  entrance,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  rather  facilitating  such  entrance  so  far  as  consular  certificate 
established  eligibility.  It  was  aelmitteel  that  our  recent  legislation, 
supplemented  by  this  conference,  with  its  discussion  and  full  explana- 
tion of  our  laws,  would  certainly  conduce  to  a  still  greater  care  on  their 
part,  increased  vigilance  in  their  medical  inspection,  and  tend  toward 
the  improvement  desired  by  our  people,  and  that  they  now  plainly  saw 
that  self-interest  alone,  if  nothing  else,  suggested  cooperation  to  the 
fullest  extent  in  carrying  out  the  letter  and  spirit  of  our  laws. 
II.  Ex.  37 37 


14     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

In  reply  to  a  query  about  advertisiug,  witli  the  object  of  stimulating 
or  inciting  emigration,  they  ^stated  that  not  one  of  the  conference  com- 
panies advertised  more  than  sailing  dates,  and  the  only  advertising 
now  done,  known  to  them,  was  by  the  railroad  companies  of  the  United 
States,  who  scatter  their  handbills  quite  freely.  It  is  also  stated  that 
the  general  sources  of  information  received  in  Europe  as  to  the  condi- 
tions in  the  United  States  which  influence  immigration  are  the  rela- 
tives and  friends  already  there,  and  that  prepaid  tickets,  purchased  in 
the  United  States  and  sent  to  relatives,  brought  to  the  steamship  com- 
j)anics  additional  cash  passengers  who  desired  to  accompany  friends  so 
13  repaid. 

We  were  informed  that  England  has  no  laws  restricting  either  immi- 
gration or  emigration;  their  statutes  relate  to  the  care  and  welfare  of 
the  emigrant  en  route.  Ui)on  request  the  steamshii)  companies  fur- 
nished statements  showing  the  number  of  steerage  passengers  from  the 
United  States  to  European  ports  by  months  for  the  year  ending  June 
30, 1801,  which,  with  the  statements  from  other  companies,  will  be  found 
in  vol.  II. 

After  this  conference  Commissioners  Cross  and  Powderly  remained 
at  Liverpool  to  complete  the  investigation  of  matters  assigned  to  them, 
already  referred  to,  and  Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster  returned 
to  London  to  prepare  for  their  continental  trip. 


SEPARATE  REPORT. 

From  this  point  the  report  of  our  investigations  is  made  according  to 
the  division  of  labors  akeady  luentioued  as  having  been  ngrced  to,  and 
the  record  of  observations  are  made  over  the  signatures  of  the  respec- 
tive members,  each  speaking  for  himself,  excei^t  in  the  cases  of  Commis- 
sioners Weber  and  Kempster,  who  were  together  throughout  the  trip 
until  they  separated  at  Bremen  to  return  home.  It  is  deemed  best  to 
record  our  travels  and  investigations  in  the  order  in  which  they  took 
place,  localizing  our  facts  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the 
Department,  giving  dates  as  w^e  proceed. 

FRANCE. 
INTERVIEW  WITH  BARON  HIRSCH. 

On  July  27th  w^e  (Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster)  met  Baron 
Hirsch  in  Paris  by  appointment,  witli  whom  we  had  an  extended  in- 
terview and  obtained  information  with  reference  to  the  ctmditions 
prevailing  in  Russia,  which  indicated  that  reasons  might  be  found 
inciting  in  an  abnormal  degree  emigration  from  that  conntrv.  The 
scope  of  his  work  Avas  outlined,  which  the  unusual  conditions  prevailing 
in  Russia  had  i)recipitated,  and  thrust  a  mass  of  the  ])e(»i)le,  wlio  tied 
from  persecutions,  upon  other  countries  before  organized  arrangements 
for  their  proper  care  and  disposition  could  be  put  into  operation. 

We  also  learned  that  Mr.  Arnold  White  liad  visited  8t.  Petersburg, 
and  had  secured  an  agreement  from  the  Russian  authorities  to  ])ermit 
Baron  Hirsch  to  designate,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Imperial 
Government,  a  central  committee  at  St.  Petersburg,  with  suborclinate 
committees  in  the  various  localiiies,  to  take  charge  of  tlie  emigration 
of  the  Jews;  the  general  plan  of  these  committees  beiiig  to  permit  none 
to  cross  the  frontier  except  those  having  the  certiticates  of  such  com- 
mittees, and  the  certiticates  to  be  given  only  to  worthy  and  able-bodied 
laborers.  The  gelieral  object  of  their  work  was  to  regulate  the  outllow 
and  to  prevent  the  misery  and  sutfering  incidental  to  the  mad  rush  to 
escape  from  the  country.  Baron  Hirsch  stated  that  so  far  as  relates 
to  those  whom  he  could  control,  by  or  thiough  these  committees,  or 
who  because  of  their  temporarily  distressed  conditions,  recpiire  assist- 
ance, not  one  would  be  s^it  to  the  United  States.  Continuing,  he  said : 
"It  should  be  borne  in  mmd,  however,  that  the  majority  of  these  peo- 
ple pass  through  without  reference  to  the  local  committees  already  in 
existence  in  Germany,  have  fixed  destinations,  do  not  a[)i)ly  for  assist- 
ance, and  those  going  to  the  United  States  are  drawn  liiere  by  the 
superior  conditions  which  prevail  and  which  are  known  to  them  by  their 
friends  and  relatives  who  have  i)receded  them." 

As  a  further  elucidation  of  Baron  Hirsch's  i)lans,  we  present  a  letter 
of  recent  date,  addressed  to  the  German  central  committee  for  the 
Russian  Jews  in  Berlin,  the  substance  of  which  having  been  priuted  ia 

15 


16     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

not  now  regarded  as  confidential.  The  Mr.  White  referred  to  in  tlie 
letter  visited  Russia  a  second  time  on  this  mission,  Commissioners 
Weber  and  Kempster  meeting  him  at  St.  Petersburg;  bnt  up  to  tlie 
present  time,  however,  the  expected  arrangement  with  the  itussiau 
Government  seems  not  to  have  been  carried  out. 

BARON    HIRSCH'S    LETTERS    TO    THE    CENTRAL    COMMITTEE    IN    BERLIN    AND    TO    HIS 

CORELIGIONISTS. 

2  Rue  de  l'Elysee,  Paris,  July  15,  1801, 
To  the  German  Central  Committee  for  the  Russian  Jews  in  Berlin: 

Gentlemen:  Yon  have  no  doubt  been  made  aware  of  my  endeavors  to  alleviate 
the  condition  of  onr  unhappy  Russian  coreligionists  and  of  the  steps  I  have  taken 
to  assist  those  who  are  compelled  to  emigrate  in  order  that  they  may  do  so  under  the 
least  precarious  conditions.     *     *     * 

You  also  know,  gentlemen,  that  even  before  undertaking  the  step  which  I  am 
actually  taking  in  Russia,  and  in  the  face  of  the  continual  jiersecution  which  the  Jews 
have  been  subject  to,  I  have  endeavored  to  procure  a  new  home  and  place  of  refuge 
for  a  certain  number  of  these  unfortunate  exiles  and  for  that  purpose  to  create  set- 
tlements in  the  Argentine  Republic. 

The  actual  state  of  things  in  that  country  renders  all  transactions  necessary  to 
acquire  laud  very  difficult  and  makes  it  impossible  to  bring  matters  to  as  speedy 
conclusion  as  both  I  wished  for  and  as  the  condition  of  the  Jews  in  Russia  dcmiinds. 
In  presence  of  the  unsettled  conditions  which  exist  in  the  Argentine  Republic, 
serious  business  transactions  have  to  be  followed  up  with  the  utmost  possible  care, 
which  care  in  fact  holds  in  abeyance  the  conclusion.  Nevertheless  I  am  justified  in 
saying  tliat  my  agont  in  Buenos  Ayres,  invested  with  full  power,  will  shortly  over- 
come the  aforesaid  difficulties  and  soon  realize  the  first  acquisition  of  land,  and  that 
consequently  at  the  end  of  a  certain  length  of  time  required  by  the  organization  of 
the  colonies  the  first  movement  of  the  immigration  into  the  Argentine  Republic  will 
be  able  to  increase  itself  to  a  very  considerable  extent. 

Whatever  may  be  the  benefit  which  the  immigrants  will  derive  from  my  work,  and 

in  the  face  of  the  gigantic  task  that  has  to  be  mastered,  I  can  but  consider  the  said 

^ork  as  a  part,  and  by  no  means  as  the  whole,  of  that  which  the  future  claims  from  us. 

Before  entering  into  any  further  particulars  as  to  this  last  point,  and  after  having 
but  surmised  the  actual  extent  of  the  emigration,  I  must  revert  to  the  steps  already 
taken  in  Russia  as  above  referred  to.  I  have  noticed  that  Mr.  Arnold  White,  whoso 
mission  you  are  sufficiently  acquainted  with,  and  who  has  just  returned  from  St. 
Petersburg,  brought  with  him  results  which  under  the  actual  circumstances  consti- 
tute the  utmost  of  what  could  be  expected  of  Russia.  The  annexed  documents  will 
show  you  that  the  Russian  Government  grants  as  a  principle  the  carrying  out  of  a  reg- 
ular organization  of  the  emigration  under  its  own  special  supervision. 

The  next  consequence  of  the  favor  granted  by  the  said  Government  will  most 
likely  bo  the  end  of  the  severe  persecutions  imposed  up  to  now,  but  not  before  the 
authorities  of  the  country  will  have  acknowledged  that  the  Israelites  abroad  have 
made  up  their  mind  seriously  and  earnestly  to  start  emigration. 

But  if  no  vigorous  step  be  taken,  if  no  j)owerful  influence  be  resorted  to,  not  only 
will  the  result  which  I  have  ob.tained  be  of  no  use  whatever  %r  the  Russian  Jews, 
but  moreover  the  inaction  of  their  brethren  abroad  will  become  in  the  hands  of  ene- 
mies of  our  faith  in  Russia  a  mighty  weapon  against  the  Russian  Jews,  and  they 
would  not  fail  to  say  that  the  whole  business  was  but  a  deceitful  plot  devised  in  or- 
der to  gain  time. 

Most  needful  it  is  to  obviate  such  a  contingency,  and  not  lose  the  advantages  of 
the  actual  good- will  of  the  Russian  Government  wliich  the  oppressed  derive  a  profit 
from.  In  letting  the  propitious  hour  slip  by  we  would  allow  those  adverse  to  the 
granted  measure  to  get  the  upper  hand,  and  who  knows  when  so  propitious  an  op- 
portunity would  offer  itself  again. 

What  is  to  be  done  in  order  to  carry  out  the  work  already  begun?  I  am  but  one 
man  and  I  dare  not  pretend  to  accomplish  alone  so  overpowering  a  task.  JNIost  will- 
ingly will  I  devote  to  this  task,  with  all  my  heart  and  intelligence,  the  best  of  ray 
powers  and  of  my  means,  as  I  have  hitherto  done.  But  the  said  task  calls  for  so 
much  strength,  that  all  the  eagerness  and  all  the  devotion  of  one  alone  would  never 
suffice.  May  I  then  be  permitted  to  lay  before  you  my  views  as  to  the  best  means 
to  be  employed,  and  to  trust  that  they  may  meet  with  your  approval. 

According  to  the  information  which  Mr.  White  has  brought  from  Russia  there  is 
a  threefold  aim  to  pursue: 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     17 

1.  A  medium  must  be  procured  capable  of  proving  to  the  Russian  Government,  by 
the  means  of  an  imposing  moral  manifestation,  that  the  whole  Jewish  nation  con- 
sider as  their  own  the  work  of  the  emigration,  and  follow  it  up  with  the  most 
anxious  interest. 

2.  A  central  direction  must  be  created  outside  of  Russia  for  the  effective  manage- 
ment of  the  emigration. 

3.  The  necessary  mediums  are  to  be  instituted  in  Russia  itself  to  carry  on  the 
work  uuder  the  supervision  of  the  Russian  Government. 

(1)  III  order  to  attain  the  first  aim,  I  mean  to  api)ly  for  the  coilperation  of  the 
"Alliance  Gdnerale  Israelite",  in  Paris,  and  to  constitute  with  its  help  a  great 
'•couuiiittee  of  patronage".  The  latter  will  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  elective 
maua.L;eiiieut  of  the  emigration,  but  it  will  be  called  upon  especially  to  give  to  the 
worl<:  tlie  notoriety  it  needs  to  enable  it  to  prove  to  the  Russian  Government  that 
the  Israelites  abroad  most  decidedly  mean  to  come  to  the  rescue  of  their  co-religion- 
ists now  persecuted  and  oppressed.  To  accomplish  this  we  mean  to  send  to  each  of  the 
great  Jewish  communities  a  circular,  of  which  you  will  find  an  inclosed  draft.  I  es- 
pecially wish  to  point  out  that  said  '^committee  of  patronage"  will  not  be  invested 
with  tlie  management  of  the  work,  as  various  considerations,  and  also  certain  reasons 
dictated  by  tlie  geographical  position,  seem  to  require  that  the  head  direction  of  the 
emigration  be  as  near  as  possible  to  the  Russian  frontier. 

(2)  For  this  head  direction  Berlin  seems  to  be  naturally  pointed  out  as  the  most 
ap])ropriate  center,  in  the  first  instance,  on  account  of  its  geographical  position, 
and,  moreover,  because  its  central  committee  for  the  Russian  Jews  provides  a  ready 
formed  organization.  That  same  committee  has  already  rendered  excellent  service, 
and  it  is,  thanks  to  its  activity,  that  the  Jews  in  distress  who  had  to  make  for  the 
Irontier  have  not  become  altogether  the  victims  of  hazard  and  ruin. 

Such  a  readiness  of  devotion  as  you  have  shown  can  not  but  encourage  me  to  ask 
you,  gentlemen,  to  undertake,  in  a  permanent  manner,  the  management  of  the  work 
of  emigration,  and  at  the  same  time  I  place  at  your  disyjosal,  should  you  wish  it,  my 
energetic  cooperation,  in  a  manner  such  as  will  have  to  be  settled  between  us. 
Your  committee  would,  therefore,  have  the  entire  direction  of  the  work.  It  might, 
besides,  enter  into  relationship  with  the  society  which,  as  yon  are  aware,  I  am 
about  to  form  in  England,  in  order  to  purchase  ground  in  the  Argentine  Republic 
and  to  create  lewish  colonies  on  its  territory. 

So  as  to  l)ring  to  a  propitious  end  the  important  task  which  awaits  you,  you  will 
have  to  add  to  your  numbers  by  the  choice  of  skillful  elements  [among  whom  should 
be  iii<lud(Ml  the  necessary  salaried  persons],  and  strive  to  build  up  in  this  way  a  per- 
manent statf.  Should,  apart  from  this,  some  of  our  most  eminent  coreligionists  in 
Germany  join  your  committee,  without  even  becoming  active  members  of  the  same, 
it  would  not  fail  to  produce  a  very  good  effect  in  the  ofiicial  circles  in  Russia.  It 
will  l)e  your  care  to  provide,  independently  of  my  personal  help,  the  important  funds 
which  will  be  calle(l  for  by  the  realization  of  so  large  an  undertaking.  You  may, 
such  is  my  belief,  be  without  any  fear  in  regard  to  this.  First  of  nil,  it  is  not  from 
one  day  to  the  next  that  the  full  capital  will  be  needed,  for  so  considerable  a  work 
as  this  will  have  to  be  extendtMl  over  several  years,  and  besides,  thanks  to  a  system- 
atical and  well-understood  management,  the  success  itself  of  the  work  will  bring  in 
a  portion  of  the  required  nutans.  I  have,  moreover,  become  aware  from  various 
sources  and  to  my  great  satisfaction,  that  a  large  number  of  wealthy  Israelites  are 
(juite  ready  if  not  to  sacrifice  at  any  rate  to  bring  forward  the  funds  needful  for 
this  undertaking,  provided  the  latter  should  be  trusted  to  skillful  hands  and  well 
managed. 

(3)  As  regards  the  institution  of  the  medium  required  in  Russia  itself,  the  Russian 
Government  grants  the  creation  under  its  own  special  supervision  of  a  central  com- 
mittee in  St.  Petersburg  and  of  local  committees  in  the  provincial  towns.  The  most 
iui[)ortant  of  the  work  to  be  done  in  order  to  put  an  end  to  the  actual  planless  emi- 
gration, is  to  ])roceed  with  the  utmost  celerity  to  the  creation  of  that  central  com- 
mittee in  St.  Petersburg  and  of  the  provincial  local  committees.  Mr.  Arnold  White, 
during  his  stay  in  St.  Petersburg,  has  taken  all  the  necessary  steps  for  that  purpose 
both  in  St.  Petersburg  and  in  the  provincial  towns.  He  is  quite  ready  at  the  first 
call,  should  you  approve  of  it,  to  return  thitherto,  either  accompanied  by  a  second 
delegate  still  to  be  chosen,  or  else  by  himself,  to  undertake  the  definite  organization 
of  tlie  aforesaid  committees.  I  would  strongly  advise  to  entrust  that  mission  to  Mr. 
White,  considering  ho  has  access  into  every  official  circle  in  Russia,  which  evidently 
greatly  facilitates  the  task. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  yours, 

De  Hirsch. 
H.  Ex.  235 2 


18     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

The  above  is  supplemented  by  au  open  letter  signed  by  Baron  Hirsch, 
addressed  to  his  coreligionists  in  Russia,  translation  of  which  is  given 
below : 

To  my  coreligionists  in  Riissia: 

You  know  that  I  am  eudeavoring  to  ameliorate  your  fate.  That  imposes  upon  me 
the  duty  to  speak  frankly  to  you  and  to  tell  you  that  Avhich  it  is  necessary  for  you 
to  know.  V 

I  know  the  reasons  which  force  yon  to  emigrate  from  Russia,  and  I  will  readily 
and  gladly  do  everything  in  my  power  to  assist  you  in  your  calaiiiiLy,  hut  you  must 
make  it  possible  for  me  to  do  so.  Your  exodus  should  not  take  the  chiiraoter  of  a 
precipitous  irregular  flight,  in  which,  wishing  to  avoid  danger,  you  rush  headlong 
to  destruction. 

You  know  that  in  the  near  future  regular  committees  will  be  established  in  Russia, 
with  the  consent  and  under  the  supervision  of  the  Russinn  Government.  These 
committees  will  aim  to  organize  emigration  on  a  businesslike  basis.  All  those  wisli- 
ing  to  emigrate  must  apply  to  their  local  committees,  who  alone  will  be  authorized 
to  give  the  necessary  information. 

Only  those  persons  who  are  recommended  by  the  committees  for  emigration  can 
count  on  my  assistance  and  of  that  of  my  co-workers.  Anyone  who  leaves  the 
country  without  the  committee's  sanction  will  do  so  at  his  owu  risk,  and  cannot  ex- 
pect any  assistance  from  us.  It  is  evident,  as  a  matter  of  course,  that  the  number 
of  emigrants  at  the  start  shtmld  not  be  too  large,  because  it  is  important  not  only  to 
find  shelter  for  those  who  first  emigrate  but  to  take  necessary  steps  to  prepare  settle- 
ments for  those  who  will  follow  them.  Later  on  the  emigration  will  reach  a  larger 
scale. 

Bear  in  mind  that  I  can  not  do  anything  for  you  without  the  benevolent  and 
generous  assistance  of  the  Imperial  Russian  Government. 

In  conclusion  I  say  to  you:  You  are  the  heirs  of  your  fathers  who  have  suffered 
much  for  centuries.  Bear  this  inheritance  for  a  short  time  longer  with  the  same 
spirit  and  resignation;  have  continued  patience  and  thereby  make  it  possible  for 
those  who  want  to  help  you  to  do  so. 

I  tender  you  these  words  of  comfcrt  and  exhortation  in  my  own  name  and  in  the 
name  of  thousands  of  yo  ir  coreligionists,  asking  yon  to  bear  them  in  mind  and  heart. 

May  the  good  God  help  you  and  lend  the  power  to  me  as  well  as  to  all  others  who 
labor  with  me  to  help  you. 

DE  Hirsch. 

Paris,  September,  1891. 

CONFERENCE  WITH  AGENT  BONCARBI,  COMPAGNIE  GENERALE  TRANS- 

ATLANTIQUE. 

On  July  31,  as  per  previous  appointment,  we  called  upon  M.  Eugene 
Boncardi,S()us-clu'f  (In  service  of  the  Compagnie  Generale  Transatlan- 
tique.  This  company  has  practically  a  monopoly  of  the  steerage  passen- 
ger business  from  France,  other  companies  being  excluded  except  under 
conditions  claimed  to  be  extremely  onerous.  Their  port  of  embarkation 
is  Havre.  Mr.  Boncardi  told  us  that  their  steerage  passengers  were 
chiefly  Italian  and  Swiss,  and  that  they  had  55  agents  each  of  whom 
em])loyed  between  200  and  300  suba gents. 

The  company  transacted  their  business  entirely  with  these  general 
agents,  and  did  not  know  the  subagents.  We  understand,  however, 
that  the  subagents  are  all  responsible,  and  can  respond  to  any  claims 
for  loss  or  damage  incurred  by  reason  of  neglect  or  carelessness  in  sell- 
ing tickets  to  emigrants  not  eligible  for  landing. 

They  have  had  very  few  returned  as  rejected  emigrants.  The  Italiatis 
carried  by  them  are  from  the  northern  part  of  Italy,  and  are  good  peo- 
ple; they  decline  to  carry  Sicilians  and  southern  Italians.  He  slated 
that  foreign  steamshij)  comi)anies  were  debarred  from  taking  steerage 
passengers,  unless  they  complied  with  the  passenger  acts  of  France  re- 
lating, among  other  things,  to  measurement  of  the  air  s])ace,  which  must 
be  provided,  and  which  agents  of  other  comi)anies  informed  us,  as 
already  stated,  contained  extremely  burdensome  conditions.     He  also 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      19 

stated  that  tlicir  agents  at  Xew  York  had  made  complaiut  to  the  head 
office  in  i^ehition  to  the  varying  regahitions  rehiting  to  measurement. 
The  company  have  notified  their  agents  that  they  would  be  hekl  re- 
sponsible pecuniarily  for  rejected  emigrants.  He  claimed  that  his  com- 
pany was  very  particular  as  to  the  class  they  embarked,  and  as  the 
laws  of  France  gave  them  authority  to  reject  anyone,  they  made  it  an 
object  to  carry  only  those  emigrants  who  are  clean  and  healthy.  He 
stated  that  the  subagentsare  in  a  position  to  know  all  about  the  stand- 
ing and  qualifications  of  intending  emigrants,  and  if  they  were  fully  ad- 
vised of  our  laws  and  understood  definitely  the  kind  of  passengers  Avho 
would  be  rejected  they  should  and  could  be  held  responsible,  and  in  his 
judgment,  this  was  the  best  and  most  certain  remedy  to  meet  the  de- 
mand of  our  people  for  the  exclusion  of  ineligible  subjects.  Striking 
them  off  the  lists  as  subagents  would,  in  his  opinion,  be  a  sufficient 
leverage  to  hold  them  to  their  duty  in  such  respect. 

He  furnished  the  number  of  steerage  x)assengers  both  ways  for  the 
year  ending  July  1, 1891,  which  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii.  He  stated  that 
his  is  the  only  steamship  company  which  owns  and  operates  emigrant 
ears  simihir  to  those  in  use  in  the  United  States.  They  take  charge  of 
the  emigrant  at  the  borders  of  France,  and  from  there  furnish  transpor- 
tation and  board  through  to  New  York.  They  require  full  payment  of 
the  fare  before  passengers  are  ticketed.  He  also  stated  that  recently 
passengers  ha(|  become  very  uneasy  as  to  the  chances  of  pat;sing  the 
immigration  bureau  at  New  York,  claiming  that  they  understood  that 
we  were  becoming  very  particular,  and  in  consequence  some  are  seeking 
other  ports.  In  his  judgment,  the  effect  of  a  continued  rigid  scrutiny 
will  send  a  great  many  via  Canadian  ports  t9  enter  the  United  States 
across  the  border,  unless  that  gap  was  closed. 

BELGIUM. 
ANTWERP. 

August  3,  1891,  Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster,  with  Secretary 
Semsey,  visited  the  Ked  Star  Line  office,  where  we  received  a  coi)y  of 
the  company's  circular  and  instru(;tions  addressed  to  their  surgeons, 
which  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii,  and  made  an  appointment  to  meet  the 
manager  at  10  a.  m.  on  the  following  day,  after  which  we  visited  several 
emigrant  boarding  houses  where  inquiries  were  made,  the  same  as  at 
Liverpool.  The  first  boarding  house  visited  is  known  as  the  *' Hotel 
Luxemburg,'^  located  near  the  railroad  depot.  Only  the  better  class  of 
emigrants  stop  there  and  the  arrangements  for  their  care  and  comfort 
are  excellent.  Board  and  lodging  range  in  price  from  liry  to  75  cents 
per  day,  which  is  paid  by  the  emigrants.  This  is  considered  the  best 
hotel  of  the  kind  in  Antwerp,  the  rooms  being  large,  neatly  furnished, 
and  thoroughly  ventilated.  We  then  visited  the  "Gasthaus  Hoftnung,'' 
Dambrnggestraat,  near  the  railroad  depot.  A  portion  of  the  Jewish 
emigrants  stop  at  this  i)lace.  It  is  not  equal  to  the  Luxemburg,  yet 
may  be  termed  an  excellent  house  of  its  kind.  The  rooms  were  neatly 
furnished,  fioois  clean,  and  the  building  pro])erly  ventilated. 

As  a  steamer  had  sailed  on  the  second  day'before,  there  were  few 
boarders  present.  The  price  ranges  from  37  to  (50  cents  for  lodging 
and  three  meals  per  day.  We  next  visited  tlie  "Passagier  Hotel,'^ 
Vlandresstraat,  near  the  river.  This  is  a  Jew  boarding  house.  We 
found  a  better  condition  of  affairs  than  was  expected.     The  prices  were 


20     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

about  the  same  as  at  the  "  Hoffiiiiug,"  although  the  space  assigned  to 
emigrants  seemed  smaller.  We  found  about  60  emigrants,  all  fJews, 
bound  for  Philadelphia.  About  half  of  these  were  unable  to  obtain 
accommodations  on  the  last  Saturday's  steamer  for  New  York,  so  they, 
with  the  additional  arrivals,  will  sail  for  Philadelphia  on  Wednesday. 

At  each  of  these  boarding  houses  we  talked  with  a  number  of  people 
as  to  the  causes  which  incited  their  emigration,  and  the  reasons  already 
given  in  our  Liverpool  examination  prompt  us  to  furnish  here  only 
those  relating  to  the  Russian  exodus. 

Mathias  Schpaine,  from  Zagar,  Oourland,  Russia,  lived  near  the 
border.  He  is  54  years  of  age  and  was  accompanied  by  two  children, 
his  wife  remaining  in  Russia.  He  has  relatives  in  Philadelphia,  whither 
he  was  bound.  Had  peddled  in  Courland,  but  was  notified  by  the  police 
to  discontinue.  He  failed  to  comply  with  this  order  and  the  result  was 
the  confiscation  of  his  goods,  horse,  and  wagon  by  the  police.  He  stole 
across  the  border,  paying  20  rubles  through  a  middleman  to  bribe  the 
l)oIice. 

Benzion  Goldinski,  a  photographer  an  intelligent  man,  accompanied 
by  his  mother  and  three  sons,  all  far  above  the  average.  One  of  the 
sons  was  a  bright,  educated  Hebrew,  who,  upon  being  asked  whetlier 
if  industrious  he  expected  to  get  along  in  America  and  become  rich, 
repUed,  '''■  I  do  not  care  to  become  rich,  but  I  do  want  freedom.''  The 
family  was  bound  for  Philadelphia,  where  the  father  has  a  brother  and 
other  relatives.  The  son  was  a  student  in  a  gymnasium  in  Kharkoff, 
Avhere  the  father  went  to  pay  him  his  customary  vivsit.  The  i^olice 
notified  him  that  he  must  leave  within  twenty-foui' hours.  He  returned 
to  Radomisl,  Kiev  Gubernia,  where  he  was  registered  as  being  entitled 
to  live.  He  then  i)repared  to  leave  for  the  United  States.  He  had  the 
l^roper  i^ermit  to  cross  the  border,  but  owing  to  an  oversight  on  the 
part  of  the  home  authorities,  one  son  was  omitted  from  the  list.  As 
the  methods  of  obtaining  such  i^ermits  are  so  tedious,  he  did  not  delay, 
but  started  for  the  border  with  a  letter  from  the  home  ofdcials  to  the 
governor,  at  the  border,  stating  that  the  name  of  one  son  had  been 
omitted  inadvertently,  but  certifying  that  it  was  a  proper  case  to  i)ass. 
The  authorities  at  the  border,  however,  would  not  allow  them  to  pass 
with  the  boy,  and  finally  they  stole  him  over  the  line  with  the  aid  of 
bribe  money.  He  claimed  that  all  Russian  oflicials  were  susceptible  of 
bribery.  He  also  stated  that  in  Kiev  it  had  been  customary  for  women 
to  learn  midwifery,  and  then  are  i)ermitted  to  live  there  under  certain 
restrictions.  If  unable  to  comply  with  such  restrictions,  some  of  them 
have  been  known  to  register  as  prostitutes,  involving  a  regular  exami- 
nation by  the  Russian  medical  authorities,  receiving  certificates  that 
they  are  free  from  disease. 

lioruch  Losowick,  wife,  and  six  children  and  niece,  who  had  per- 
mission to  cross  the  border.  The  husband  is  a  trunk-maker,  and  his 
wife  had  the  authority  to  sell  goods  under  a  yearly  license.  She  was 
notified  to  discontinue,  as  it  was  not  permitted  to  sell  the  same  kind 
of  goods  as  her  husband  manufactured.  She  continued  to  do  so,  how- 
ever, and  the  result  was  the  confiscation  of  the  goods  and  revocation 
of  the  wife's  license  and  the  husband's  right  to  manufacture  trunks. 
He  had  jio  means  of  gaining  a  livelihood  otherwise,  and  therefore  de- 
sired to  go  to  America. 

Isaac  VVeksler,  18  years  old,  a  bright  boy  from  Kiev,  cigarette-maker, 
was  formerly  classified  as  an  artisan  and  permitted  to  reside  anywhere. 
Under  recent  construction  of  the  law  he  is  no  longer  considered  an  ar- 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      21 

tisan  aiul  was  so  notified.  He  con  tinned',  however,  to  make  cigarettes, 
notwithstanding'  such  notice,  for  wliich  he  was  imprisoned  one  week 
and  then  taken  to  the  city  where  he  was  born.  He  attached  himself  to 
a  party  bound  for  America,  came  through  with  them,  and  chiimed  that 
the  committee  paid  his  way  to  the  United  States. 

After  this  we  called  at  the  United  States  consulate  and  found  it  in 
charge  of  Deputy  OouvSul  S.  Heine,  the  consul  being  absent  on  leave. 
Among  other  things,  he  informed  us  that  Leon  Peltzer,  imprisoned  for 
crime  at  Louvain,  Belgium,  is  to  be  liberated  shortly,  on  condition  that 
he  emigrates.  He  said  he  had  heard  of  two  or  three  other  cases,  whose 
names  he  did  not  then  recall,  who  had  been  liberated  under  the  same 
conditions. 

These  were  the  sons  of  wealthy  people,  who  realized  the  difficulties 
of  reformation  in  the  communities  where  their  criminal  history  was  so 
generally  known.  His  opinion  was  that  consular  inspection  would  be 
wise,  but,  upon  reflection,  said  that  it  would  not  have  any  material 
effect  upon  emigration  from  his  district,  as  there  was  a  very  small  move- 
ment and  confined  to  what  he  termed  good  people.  It  would  be  neces- 
sary to  rely  upon  the  local  authorities  for  certificates  as  to  character, 
and,  in  Ids  opinion,  would  not  assist  at  all  in  detecting  contract  la- 
borers. Also  stated  that  the  Belgian  Government  did  not  openly  en- 
couiage  or  discourage  emigration,  but  he  was  of  the  opinion  that  they 
were  ratber  pleased  to  have  their  people  emigrate,  owing  to  the  density 
of  their  population. 

He  also  informed  us  that  their  miners  (a  numerous  class)  were  earn- 
ing about  $1  per  day,  and,  notwithstanding  they  lived  cheaper  than  in 
the  United  States,  strikes  frequently  occur. 

He  furnished  us  with  a  copy  of  the  laws  relating  to  emigration,  an 
abstract  of  the  important  parts  of  which  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii. 

HOLLAND. 

We  left  Antwerp  for  Amsterdam  Augnst  4,  1891,  and  on  the  next 
day  called  at  the  office  of  United  States  Consul  Theo.  M.  Schleier.  He 
informed  us  that  he  had  not  received  the  circular  letter  of  the  (commis- 
sioners, sent  out  from  London,  and  a  request  was  forwarded  to  Oonsul- 
General  New,  at  London,  asking  him  to  send  another  copy.  Mr.  Schleier 
promised  to  give  the  questions  asked  careful  consideration  and  forward 
his  reply  to  Bremen.  He  stated  that  emigration  from  Holland  was  hght, 
but  (composed  of  very  good  material.  The  people  are  peaceable,  i)ros- 
perous,  and  contented,  and  therefore  there  is  no  inducement  to  emi- 
grate. He  said  that  there  were  no  convicts,  paupers,  or  insane  sent  to 
the  United  States  or  anywhere  out  of  Holland,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
most  excellent  care  was  taken  of  these  classes  at  home;  that  the  insti- 
tutions for  such  people  are  numerous  enough  to  amply  provide  for  them 
under  most  excellent  management,  the  insane  being  carefully  graded. 

We  next  went  to  the  office  of  the  Netherlands  Line  Steamship  Com- 
pany, where  we  saw  Mr.  Du  Tiehl,  with  whom  we  had  an  extended  in- 
terview, going  over  the  same  ground  as  at  Liverpool. 

He  promised  to  lay  before  the  management  at  Kotterdam  what  had 
been  stated  to  him,  and  that  their  company  would  be  represented  at 
the  Bremen  conference  in  September.  He  wonld  send  a  copy  of  the 
regulations  governing  emigration,  which  Avill  be  found  in  its  i^roper 
place  in  vol.  ii.  He  thought  they  had  from  1,300  to  2,000  subagents 
iu  Europe.      He  had  some  doubts  as  to  their  ability  to  control  them  in 


22      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

tlie  selling  of  tickets  only  to  desirable  emigTauts,  under  threat  of  dis- 
missal, as  tlie  siibagents  would  be  open  to  engagement  with  rival  lines. 
There  is  no  combrnation  among  the  steamshi])  lines  on  the  continent  as 
in  Great  Britain.  He  Mnally  agreed,  however,  that  business  necessity 
might  force  them  together  on  that  one  point  of  black-listing  subagents 
who  were  careless  or  neglectful  in  selling  tickets.  Their  subagents  ou 
the  continent  receive  as  commission  aboi\t  83  per  ticket,  excejit  in  Hol- 
land, where  they  pay  |2,  and  this  makes  it  a  matter  of  considerable  in- 
terest to  their  agents  to  secure  business. 

Mr.  Du  Tiehl  telegraphed,  our  arrival  to  the  general  agent,  Mr.  Wil- 
mink,  who  was  then  in  the  country  and  who  came  to  Amsterdam  on 
August  7  to  meet  us.  The  same  ground,  substantially,  ^^'as  gone  over 
with  him  and  he  subsequently  met  the  commissioners  at  the  Bremen 
conference. 

GERMANY. 

We  reached  Berlin  on  Saturday,  August  8.  On  the  10th  we  called 
at  the  United  States  legation,  and  found  Minister  Plielps  absent  at 
Homburg,  owing  to  ill  health.  Mr.  Campbell  Coleman,  the  first  secre- 
tary of  legation,  was  in  charge,  who  received  us  courteously  and 
stated  that  Mr.  Phelps  had  requested  him  to  place  the  facilities  of  the 
legation  at  our  disposal  to  obtain  such  information  as  we  desired.  We 
then  visited  Consul-General  Edwards,  with  whom  we  had  several  lengthy 
and  instructive  interviews.  As  he  has  furnished  us  with  an  extended 
rei)ly  to  our  circular  letter,  covering  in  a  concise  and  lucid  manner  tlie 
substantial  points  learned  from  him  at  these  interviews,  they  are  omitted 
here,  as  they  will  be  found  in  full  in  that  portion  of  the  report  treating 
of  consular  and  other  inspection. 

JEWISH   COMMITTEE   OF  BERLIN. 

August  11, 1891,  we  called  at  the  office  of  the  Jewish  committee  and 
found  that  Mr.  Goldberger  was  absent  from  the  city.  Dr.  Heinrich  M. 
Cohn  was  sent  for,  as  the  member  of  the  committee  in  charge,  and  at 
once  offered,  in  a  very  frank  manner,  to  furnish  us  with  any  informa- 
tion in  his  power  to  facilitate  our  inquiries,  and  would  give  us  a  state- 
ment, showing  who  had  been  assisted  to  enugrate  lo  the  United  States, 
which  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii,  together  with  a  very  interesting  state- 
ment of  the  Jewish  committee's  work.*  He  said  that  nearly  all  of  the 
Jews  coming  to  their  attention,  destined  to  the  United  States,  are  posr 
sessed  of  means  to  pay  their  way,  and  that,  therefore,  this  class  was 
entirely  beyond  the  control  of  the  committee,  so  far  as  directing  desti- 
nation is  concerned.  Those  who  are  assisted  by  the  committee  are  dis- 
posed of  according  to  the  circumstances  surrounding  each  case.  They 
have  generally  been  sent  to  the  Argentine  Republic,  Brazil,  Australia, 
England,  Canada,  and  the  United  States.  If  they  have  relatives  in 
England  or  the  United  States  or  are  able  bodied  and  desire  to  go,  they 
are  forwarded  there.  Sick  or  defective  emigrants  are  returned  to  Eiis- 
sia.  At  present,  owing  to  instructions  received  from  Baron  Hirsch, 
none  of  these  controllable  emigrants  are  sent  to  the  Argentine  Bepublic, 
as  arrangements  for  their  disi)osition  there  are  under  progress,  but  not 
yet  completed.     Some  are  sent  from  Eussia  direct  to  Palestine,  where 

*  See  also  copy  of  resolutious  of  the  ''Alliance  Israelite  Universelle/'  vol.  ii. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      23 

tliere  are  now  24  colonies,  18  entirely  self-8ui)portiiig  and  G  receiving  ouly 
occasional  aid  from  Baron  Eothschild.  The  dream  of  the  Jewish  people 
is  Palestine  colonization  and  a  return  to  the  agricultural  pursuits,  which 
Russian  legislation  has  made  very  burdensome  and  almost  impossible. 
Many  of  the  Jews  destined  to  the  United  States  are  prei)aid  by  their 
relatives  already  there,  some  having  their  tickets  before  reaching  Ber- 
lin, but  the  most  of  them  find  such  prepaid  tickets  awaiting  them  at 
the  seaj  sorts,  their  relatives  refusing  to  risk  sending  them  to  their  homes 
in  Russia,  owing  to  their  suspicion  of  Russian  officials. 

The  ]>lan  of  the  general  committee  at  St.  l^etersburg  with  local  com- 
mittees in  Russia  to  regulate  emigration  the  Berlin  committee  approve 
of,  but  are  somewhat  skeptical  as  to  the  sincerity  of  the  consent  of  the 
Russian  Government.  It  can  not  be  immediately  put  into  operation,  be- 
cause the  chief  officials  are  mostly  away  enjoying  their  vacations,  and 
regulations  now  issued  might  be  promptly  revoked  on  their  return. 

The  Berlin  committee  are  in  favor  of  making  assurance  doubly  sure 
before  entering  into  the  scheme  of  committees  in  Russia,  as  its  inaugu- 
ration and  subsequent  fiiilure  would  be  a  serious  setback  to  the  prog- 
ress of  an  ijnp(U'tant  movement.  They  are  agreed,  however,  that  the 
committee's  plan,  when  understandingly  and  sincerely  put  into  opera- 
tion, would  be  an  effective  and  desirable  method  of  proi)erly  regulating 
the  tide,  so  that  no  cause  for  complaint  will  develop  in  the  United 
States  or  elsewhere.  He  stated  that  the  committee  is  fully  aware  of 
the  ])rejudices  existing  against  their  peoi)le,  and  it  is  their  earnest  de- 
sire to  avoid  conilict  with  strong  i)ul)]ic  sentiment.  Their  committee 
was  not  organized  to  encourage  or  stimulate  emigration;  it  felt  forced 
for  common  lunnanity's  sake  to  use  its  best  endeavors  to  care  for  the 
unfortunate  X)eoi)le  who  feel  themselves  compelled  to  leave  their  homes. 
The  expenses,  which  are  large,  are  borne  independently  of  contribu- 
tions made  by  Baron  Hirsch,  and  the  sums  required  to  meet  such  ex- 
penses are  made  up  entirely  by  the  voluntary  offerings  of  the  German 
Jews.  He  said  that  it  might  be  of  interest  to  note  that  while  the  Jews 
of  Berlin  numbered  about  80,(M)(),  or  7}-^  of  the  total  city  population, 
they  contributed  more  than  one  half  of  the  children's  fresh-air  fund  of 
Berlin,  and  cited  similar  evidence  of  generosity  with  reference  to  the 
hospital  recently  founded  there  in  honor  of  Emperor  William  I. 

CHARLOTTENBUEa. 

In  the  afternoon  we  drove  to  Cliarlottenburg,  a  station  in  the  suburbs 
of  Berlin,  and  where  emigrants  are  now  detained,  being  forbidden  to 
enter  the  city,  and  from  which  place  they  proceed  to  Hamburg  or  Bre- 
men. In  a  few  days  it  is  ex]MH'ted  that  this  work  will  be  carried  on  at 
Spandau,  still  furtluer  out,  the  facilities  for  handling  them  being  bet- 
ter there.  At  GharlotteTdjurg  the  committee  have  a  staff  of  employes, 
who  re(;eive,  care  for,  and  forward  enngrants,  as  well  as  a  medical  at- 
tendant, who  inspects  them,  not  oidy  with  reference  to  present  disease, 
but  also  as  to  physical  ability  to  cope  with  the  hard  work  wldcli  they 
are  informed  will  confront  them  in  the  New  World. 

The  movement  here  has  recently  falle:i  off,  averaging  now  about  150 
per  day,- as  against  500  a  short  time  ago.  Tliere  were  about  ()0  enn'- 
grants  in  the  waiting  apartments  who  had  arrived  at  G  p.  m.,  and  were 
to  be  forwarded  to  Bremen  and  Hamburg  at  11  p.  m.  Of  the  whole 
number,  three  cases,  endnacing  seven  people,  were  submitted  specially 
to  the  committee  for  disposal.  One  was  a  single  man,  intelligent  and 
respectable  in  appearance,  claiming  to  have  been  registered  in  a  small 


24     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

village  within  tlie  Jewish  Pale,  and  as  lie  was  a  tanner  and  clotli 
maker  he  had  the  right,  as  an  artisan,  to  live  anywhere  in  Eussia. 
For  five  years  he  had  conducted  a  small  cloth  factory  in  Moscow,  but 
in  April  last  he  was  notified  that  he  must  leave  that  city  within  a 
month.  He  sacrificed  his  property,  paid  his  debts,  and  went  to  War- 
saw (Polish  Kussia,  where  Jews  are  ]^ermitted  to  live).  He  did  not  re- 
turn to  his  native  village,  as  he  could  not  earn  a  livelihood  there.  In 
Warsaw  he  associated  himself  with  another  in  the  cloth  business,  but 
as  it  did  not  appear  to  prosper  the  partner  robbed  him  of  the  money 
he  put  into  the  business  and  left  him  practically  penniless.  He  man- 
aged to  gain  the  border,  and  by  the  help  of  the  committee  reached 
Berlin.     He  clain^ed  to  have  a  brother  in  Chicago. 

Another  case  was  that  of  a  man  and  three  children,  the  eldest  a  girl 
of  16.  They  desired  to  go  to  the  United  States;  the  man  said  he  was  a 
farmer;  all  were  able-bodied  and  intelligent,  so  far  as  appearances 
went.  The  committee  decided  not  to  send  this  family  to  the  United 
States,  and  either  to  return  them  to  Eussia  or  later  on  send  them  to 
the  Argentine  Eepublic. 

The  third  case  was  that  of  two  girls  who  desired  to  go  to  the  United 
States,  where  they  had  friends  and  relatives. 

In  the  first  and  third  cases  the  committee  decided  to  hold  them  until 
further  investigation  satisfied  them  that  they  had  relatives  in  the 
United  States.  In  each  of  these  two  cases  there  was  every  ai^pearance 
of  ability  for  self-support,  as  they  were  young,  healthy,  and  above  the 
average  in  point  of  intelligence.  The  remainder  of  the  60  had  tickets 
or  money  to  purchase  tickets  to  destination.  A  few  were  going  to  Africa ; 
the  most  of  them  ^o  the  United  States.  Among  them  were  several 
l*olanders  and  a  number  of  others,  who  were  Catholics  or  Protestants, 
but  all  of  them  received  and  enjoyed  the  hospitable  care  and  food  fur- 
nished by  the  Jewish  committee.  They  received  tea,  bread,  and  boiled 
eggs  for  supper,  all  of  which  looked  inviting,  and  are  furnished  free 
of  charge.  The  committee  informed  us  that  they  made  no  distinction 
in  their  treatment  in  favor  of  the  Jews;  that  while  it  was  tiue  that 
oidy  Jews  contributed  to  the  funds  to  support  their  work,  all  national- 
ities and  religions  were  gladly  welcome  to  their  protection  and  care, 
in  the  name  of  common  humanity.  They  said  that  the  Jew  was  hated 
not  for  his  fiiults  but  for  his  good  qualities;  that  the  Jews  ordered  back 
into  the  Pale  are  superior  in  experience  and  education  to  those  already 
tbere,  and  they  only  crowd  out  the  inferior,  who  have  lived  within  the 
Pale  and  who  in  order  to  live  must  get  out. 

PROPOSED    CONFERENCE  WITH    CONTINENTAL   STEAMSHIP   LINES  AT 

BREMEN. 

On  August  12  we  notified  the  other  commissioners,  in  a  letter  ad- 
dressed to  Capt.  Cross,  that  the  commission  wouUl  hold  a  conference 
with  the  continental  steamship  comi^anies  at  Bremen  on  October  1, 
and  also  mailed  to  Mr.  J.  G.  Lohmann,  director  of  the  North  German 
Lloyd  Company,  at  Bremen,  a  letter  asking  him  to  call  together  the 
rein^esentatives  of  these  comi^anies. 

The  following  is  a  coi^y  of  his  invitation  to  the  other  companies,  with 
the  substance  of  our  letter  to  him : 

At  tbe  request  of  Col.  Weber,  U.  S.  Commissioner  of  Immigration,  in  bis  official 
capacity  as  chairman  of  the  coniniission  sent  by  the  United  States  Government  to  in- 
vestigate the  conditions  and  matters  coueerning  immigration  to  the  United  States,  I 
Lave  the  honor  to  invite  you  to  a  conference  which  will  take  place  at  Bremen  in  the 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      25 

museum  hall  on  Thursday,  the  1st  of  Octoher  next,  at  10  a.  m.  An  extract  from  his 
letter  will  indicate  the  questions  to  be  discussed  at  the  conference,  to  which  I  beg  to 
call  attention. 

Respectfully, 

LOHMANN, 

Director  North  German  Lloyd  Company, 
Bremen,  August  14,  1891. 

[Extract  of  commissioners  letter  referred  to  by  Direotor  Lohmann.] 
To  THE  COMPAGNIE  GeNERALE  TraXSATLAXTIQUE,  PaRIS  ;  THE  HAMBURG- AMERICAN 

Packet  Compaxy,  Hambi:rg;  the  Netherlaxds- American  Steamship  Com- 
pany, Rotterdam;  Red  Star  Lixe,  Axtwerp: 

That  we  may  be  able  to  make  a  complete  report  to  our  Government  upon  the  very 
important  subject  of  emigration  to  the  United  States,  we  have  thought  it  advisable 
to  confer  directly  with  all  steamship  lines  engaged  in  carrying  passengers  to  the 
United  States,  to  the  end  that  they  may  be  made  acquaiuted  with  the  United 
States  laws  regulating  jiassenger  traffic;  and  further,  that  this  commission  may  have 
the  benefit  of  the  practical  experience  which  the  steamship  companies  possess  rela- 
tive to  this  business. 

For  the  putting  this  plan  into  operation  the  commission  requested  the  attendance 
of  the  managers  of  the  several  lines  doing  business  in  Liverpool,  at  a  meeting  called 
there,  at  which  nearly  every  steamship  company  was  represented,  and  we  had  a  full 
conference  covering  the  whole  subject  of  emigration  and  immigratioii,  which  we 
have  every  reason  to  believe  will  result  in  good  to  all  (concerned. 

We  wish,  it  possible,  to  do  the  same  at  Bremen,  and  we  shall  bo  under  obligation 
to  you  if  you  will  cause  to  be  issued  a  notification  to  all  the  continental  lines  of 
steamships  who  are  engaged  in  passenger  traffic  to  meet  this  commission  in  Bremen 
on  the  1st  day  of  October,  1891-,  at  such  place  and  hour  as  will  best  suit  all  con- 
cerned. We  would  also  request  you  to  state  in  your  letter  of  invitation  to  the 
several  steamship  lines  that  tliis  commis8i(m  would  like  to  hear  from  the  several 
gentlemen  their  views  at  length  upon  the  practicability  of — 

r  irst.  The  advisability,  practical  workings,  and  results  of  a  consular  inspection 
of  emigrants  who  intend  to  go  to  the  Ignited  States. 

Second.  Whether  an  inspection  of  intending  emigrants  by  the  subagents  of  the 
6t(iams]ii])  companies,  wlio  are  broadly  scattered  throughout  Eurt.])e,  would  be  more 
practicable  than  consular  inspection,  and  if  so,  whether  the  several  steamship  lines 
have  a  sufficient  control  over  their  subagents  to  make  this  method  effective  and 
desirable. 

The  commission  would  also  respectfully  request  that  eav^h  steamship  company 
furnish  us  with  a  tabular  statement  setting  forth  the  number  of  steerage  and  cabin 
passengers  returning  to  Europe  from  the  United  States  in  the  several  steamships 
belonging  to  each  company,  arranged  by  months  and  commencing  with  the  1st  day 
of  Jtily,  1890,  and  ending  the  30th  of  June,  1891. 

The  pur]»ose  of  this  tabxilar  statement  is  to  show  officially  to  the  people  of  the 
United  States  that  there  is  a  large  number  of  passengers  who  return  annually  to 
Europe  from  the  United  States  in  the  steerage  as  well  as  in  the  cabin.  There  is  at 
this  time  a  feeling  of  uneasiness  among  a  large  number  of  our  citizens  concerning 
the  emigrants  coming  to  our  shores,  and  it  is  the  wish  of  this  commission  to  show 
in  a  clear  and  succinct  manner  the  facts  bearing  upon  this  subject. 

DRESDEN. 

We  left  Berlin  August  13,  and  on  Auoust  14,  1891,  called  at  the 
United  States  consulate  at  Dresden.  The  consul  was  absent  for  the 
week,  but  Mr.  De  Soto,  deputy  consul,  was  present.  We  were  shown 
the  copy  of  the  coiisuFs  reply  to  our  circular  letter,  and  Mr.  De  Soto 
further  explained  that  the  emigration  frojii  Saxony  was  small  and  con- 
fined to  a  good  (;lass  of  people.  He  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  consular 
inspection  would  be  useful  only  in  the  detection  of  criminals  and  pau- 
pers; and  there  were  few,  if  any,  of  either  of  those  classes  in  that  dis- 
trict, for  tlie  reason  that  a  governmental  oversight  of  such  people  was 
strictly  maintained.  He  gave  us  an  account  of  the  operations  of  the 
"Invalid  Oasse,"  an  institution  created  and  supervised  by  the  govern- 
ment, which  is  designed  to  prevent  i)auperism.    The  chief  feature  of 


26     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

this  system  is  a  species  of  tax  imposed  upon  every  domestic,  wherever 
employed,  and  towards  tlie  payment  of  which  the  employer  pays 
one-luilf,  the  employe  one-half,  and  the  German  Government  pays  fifty 
marks  annually  to  each  policy.  The  Government  issues  a  book  to  each  do- 
mestic, in  which  at  stated  intervals  st  mips,  issued  by  the  Government, 
are  affixed  and  canceled.  The  money  derived  from  the  sale  of  these 
stamps  is  used  for  the  support  of  invalids  and  for  the  care  in  hospitals  of 
those  who  are  disabled  by  sickness  or  otherwise,  and  each  person  is  en- 
titled to  receive  its  benefit  during  the  period  of  necessit}^  It  was  stated 
that  the  Government  derives  a  large  revenue  from  this  source  and  that 
the  beneficiaries  are  well  taken  care  of.  Those  avIio  leave  the  country  for 
any  reason  forfeit  the  sum  paid  in  by  them.  He  stated  that  the  plan 
worked  very  well,  preventing  pauperism,  and  also  enabled  the  officials 
to  keep  a  record  of  individual  movement,  as  the  book  accompanied  the 
person  from  place  to  place,  with  reasons  for  leaving  previous  employers 
entered  therein.  This  law  provides  that  every  person  above  the  age 
of  16  years  who  is  either  a  clerk,  servant,  or  laborer,  whose  salary  is 
less  than  2,000  marks  (about  $476)  per  annum,  must  have  an  insuranj^e 
policy.  The  institution  belongs  to  the  state,  and  the  police,  post  office 
otlicials,  and  other  Government  subordinates  serve  notices,  collect  dues, 
etc.  The  premiums  paid  are  in  proportion  to  the  wages  received,  and 
range  from  3  to '7  cents  per  week,  the  benefits  in  case  of  need  being 
Irom  114  to  140  marks  annually,  and  under  some  peculiar  circumstances 
they  are  greater. 

From  Dresden  we  returned  to  Berlin,  and  on  the  15th  day  of  August 
departed  for  St.  Petersburg,  Russia.  As  we  spent  the  greatest  por- 
tion of  our  time  in  Russia,  and  as  the  conditions  found  there  are  so 
dift'erent  from  those  in  anj^oi^the  countries  visited  by  us,  we  record 
our  observations  in  a  seiiarate  chapter. 

• 

RUSSIA. 

We  returned  from  Dresden  to  Berlin  on  the  15th  day  of  August,  1891, 
and  started  for  St.  Petersburg  at  11  p.  m.  Prior  to  our  visit  to  Dres- 
den we  met  certain  gentlemen  at  Berlin,  the  substance  of  our  interviews 
being  here  recorded,  as  they  had  reference  solely  to  the  conditions  in 
Russia.  At  the  first  of  these  interviews  we  met  Dr.  H.  M.  Cohn  and 
another  gentleman,  whose  name  as  well  as  a  more  particular  description 
are  omitted  for  obvious  reasons,  except  to  say  that  he  is  in  possession 
of  the  highest  educational  qualifications  and  has  occupied  chairs  in 
universities  of  more  than  one  European  country.  From  him  we  ob- 
tained valuable  information  which  our  subsequent  experiences  and  ob- 
servations in  Russia  more  than  corroborated.  We  noticed  that  when- 
ever one  of  the  hotel  attendants  or  a  stranger  drew  near,  the  voices  of 
these  gentlemen  were  lowered,  conversation  stopped,  or  was  turned 
from  the  conditions  in  Russia.  The  fact  that  this  occurred  in  Berlin, 
and  that  one  of  the  persons  was  a  German  subject  and  the  other,  al- 
though a  Russian  Hebrew,  but  who  had  as  yet  the  right  to  live  any- 
where in  Russia  because  of  his  educational  attainments,  foreshadowed 
to  us  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  from  Hebrews  in  Russia  statements  free 
from  the  terror  and  danger  of  espionage.  The  same  thing  occurred  next 
day  in  one  of  the  private  rooms  of  the  hotel  while  at  luncheon  with  Mr. 
E.,  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  United  States,  who  had  lived  four  years 
in  Russia,  and  Mr.  D.,  a  correspondent  of  one  of  the  leading  English 
iournals.  The  latter  gentleman  has  spent  17  years  in  Russia  and  is  a 
British  subject.     Observing  that  we  had  noticed  his  change  of  tone 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      27 

wlienever  the  door  opened  for  the  waiter,  he  remarked  that  we  need 
not  he  certain  of  being  unwatched  even  there.  In  all  i^robabihty  we 
wonld  be  shadowed  from  the  time  we  crossed  the  borders  nntil  we  left 
tlie  territory  of  Knssia.  We  were  afterwards  told  that  it  was  largely 
due  to  his  work  that  attention  was  iirst  called  to  the  condition  of  the 
Jews  and  which  jn-onipted  the  effort  on  the  part  of  Baron  Hiisch  to 
send  Mr.  Arnold  White  as  his  representative  to  obtain  some  conces- 
sions from  the  Ilussian  Government  designed  to  mitigate  the  prevailing 
distress  by  extension  of  time  and  the  formation  of  emigration  commit- 
tees in  Russia.  It  is  proper  to  state  here,  in  connection  with  the  idey 
that  we  would  be  under  surveillance,  that  during  the  whole  of  our  stay 
in  Russia  no  evidence  presented  itself  that  such  was  the  fact.  The 
Russian  officials  with  Avhom  we  came  in  contact  were  kind  and  courteous 
and  did  not  interfere  with  our  movements  in  any  iiarticnlar,  with  the 
exception  occurring  at  Grodno,  and  which  will  be  mentioned  hereafter. 
Dr.  Cohn,  in  his  interview,  furnished  us  with  a  vast  deal  of  informa- 
tion concerning  the  formation  of  the  committees  and  a  history  of  the 
movement  of  Jews  which,  at  our  request,  he  rediu^ed  to  writing,  and 
wiiich  seems  to  us  to  be  not  only  interesting,  but  a  valuable  contribu- 
tion to  the  record.  We  are  therefoie  promx)ted  to  embody  it  in  our  re- 
port at  this  ])oint,  as  it  has  a  decided  bearing  uj)on  the  question  of  what 
incites  emigration  from  Russia. 

OF   BERLIN. 

WHY  CENTRAL  GERMAN  COMMITTEE  FOR  THE  RELIEF  OF  RUSSIAN  JEWS  WAS  FORMED. 

Inantiimii,  1890,  the  news  came  from  Russia  that  special  laws  against  the  Jewish 
poymlatioij  were  to  be  passed.  The  denial  of  the  Rnssian  anthorities  calmed  the 
excitement  cansed  by  these  runiois,  but  for  a  vshort  time.  In<leed  no  new  law  was 
proposed,  but  the  old  rij^orons  laws  which  had  fallen  into  desuetude  were  again  put 
iuto  practice. 

This  made  the  emigration  of  Russian  Jews  assume  larger  proportions  and  alarmed 
some  of  our  New  York  coreligionists.  They  asked  the  "Alliance  Israelite  Univer- 
selle,"  in  Paris,  to  arrange  an  iutcrnational  Jewish  meeting  which  should  wor.k  out 
a  scheme  how  to  divert  the  inllux  of  Russian  Jews  from  the  United  States,  anyhow 
from  crowded  sea]>orts  like  New  York. 

The  meeting,  which  took  place  in  October,  1890,  dissolved  without  coming  to  a 
definite  plan.  It  was  resolved  to  check  immigration  as  much  as  possible,  but  there 
was  from  the  begiiming  little  hope  to  put  the  resolution  into  pra<'tice.  Nothing 
could  be  effected  without  an  organization,  and  we  were  afraid  that  the  existence  of 
committees  would  excite  the  Russian  Jews  and  increase  emigration.  Therefore  noth- 
ing Avas  done  until  about  May,  1891.  All  people  leaving  Russia  till  about  that  time 
had  no  support  from  the  J(!ws  of  other  countries. 

By  and  by  the  Berlin  railway  accommodations  forced  ns  to  take  some  active  part  in 
the  matter.  The  emigrant  trains  stop  in  Charlottenburg  about  six  hours.  Some 
Jews,  having  left  Russia  Avithout  sufficient  means,  took  advantage  of  that  chance  to 
walk  into  the  town  and  to  collect-there  the  money  wanted.  Thereupon  some  of  our 
Charlottenburg  coreligionists  had  a  committee  established  which  provided  the  emi- 
grants, where  necessary,  with  food,  medical  advice,  and  passenger  tickets.  But 
their  means  were  soon  insufficient,  so  they  made  a  public  appeal  in  nearly  all  our 
Berlir'  papers.  Reporters  went  to  Charlottenburg  to  look  at  the  emigrants;  the 
public  went  there  as  well ;  in  short,  public  sympathy  and  interest  was  aroused. 
Under  these  circnmstances  the  Berlin  Jewish  committee  could  not  remain  id]o.  It 
arranged  a  meeting  which  elected  the  Central  German  committee  for  the  relief  of 
Russian  Jews. 

ORGANIZATION  AND   PLANS   OF   THE   CENTRAL  COMMITTEE. 

The  committee  immediately  arranged  an  international  meeting,  which  took  place 
the  25th  of  May,  1891.  A  few  days  before,  a  like  meeting  was  held  in  Paris,  Berlin 
not  being  represented.  The  Paris  meeting  was  still  of  opinion  to  do  as  little  as  pos- 
sible in  public  for  fear  that  emigration  wonld  be  encouraged.  But  when  we  assem- 
bled in  Berlin  matters  had  gone  too  far  to  stick  to  that  resolution. 


28     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

The  Berlin  meeting  in  the  beginning  was  not  convinced  that  the  nnmber  of  Jewish 
Russian  emigrants  hart  increased.  Indeed  the  statistics  furnished  by  the  railway 
ofticials  of  Charlottenburg  scarcely  gave  an  increase.  But  these  statistics  did  not 
decide  the  matter,  as  the  religion  of  the  emigrants  was  not  taken  into  consideration. 
It  was  suggested  that  the  number  of  Christian  emigrants  had  decreased  since  the 
Brazilian  Government  ceased  to  carry  passengers  free  of  charge.  Therefore  the  same 
number  of  emigrants  meant  a  greater  number  of  Jewish  emigrants.  Indeed  the  rail- 
way officials  shared  the  same  opinion.  ^ 

When  the  question  was  debated  what  to  do  with  the  emigrants,  we  were  unanimous 
that  we  had  nothing  to  do  with  people  traveling  at  their  own  exijense  and  not  even 
asking  our  advice. 

For  the  rest,  Ave  agreed  only  to  help  those  people  who  had  been  driven  from  their 
homes.  Of  course,  that  principle  can  not  be  followed  strictly.  There  are  many  per- 
sons not  directly  concerned  who  also  lost  their  means  of  livelihood  by  the  persecu- 
tion of  others.  In  many  towns  of  the  Pale,  the  newcomers  irom  Moscow,  etc.,  were 
so  numerous  that  lodgings  made  prices  doubly  as  high  as  they  were  before,  while 
hard  competition  cut  down  the  earniugs.  But,  nevertheless,  to  proceed  on  this  princi- 
ple was  not  unwise,  as  it  gave  as  a  direction,  and,  becoming  known  in  Russia,  may  have 
prevented  people  from  emigrating. 

The  central  committee  absorbed  the  Charlottenburg  committee,  and  established 
for  better  organization  frontier  committees,  the  main  connnittces  being  in  Konigs- 
berg  for  the  Prussian  frontier,  and  in  Myslowitz  for  the  Silesian.  The  frontier  com- 
mittees, as  a  rule,  followed  certain  principles: 

(a)  Wives  and  children  called  by  their  husbands  were  helped  to  their  husbands' 
place  of  abode. 

(b)  People  unfit  for  work  were  sent  home  again. 

(c)  People  starting  to  join  near  relatives  or  friends  in  other  countries  were  helped 
to  do  so. 

For  future  plans  there  are  different  currents  of  opinions.  One  part  of  our  commit- 
tee, in  iiccordance  wdth  Baron  Hirsch's  ideas,  wants  to  clear  Russia  of  Jews  alto- 
gether; the  other,  to  prevent  people  as  much  as  possible  from  emigrating. 

For  the  moment,  anyhow,  we  are  unanimous  that  emigration  is  to  be  retarded  till 
the  accommodations  in  the  Argentine  Republic  have  made  sufficient  progress. 

But  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  in  August  and  September  the  Argentine  Repub- 
lic was  closed  for  pr<^parations,  and  that  we  are  now  to  send  there,  under  Baron 
Hirsch's  arrangement,  :W0  per  week,  this  number  to  be  increased  later  on. 

It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind,  as  well,  that  a  number  of  the  people  gone  to  America 
are  sent  Ijack  again.  The  United  Hebrew  Charities  of  New  York  have  sent  back 
every  year  from  1,000  to  1,200  Russian  emigrants,  mostly  on  cattle  ships. 

If  we  take  this  ]ioint  into  consideration,  it  may  not  be  an  exaggeration  to  say  that 
up  to  the  present  time  more  Russian  Jews  have  been  sent  from  America  to  Russia 
than  from  Russia  to  America,  as  far  as  the  help  of  committees  is  concerned. 

With  reference  to  the  statement  of  returned  Jews,  we  quote  from  the 
^'Minutes  of  evidence  taken  before  select  committee  on  emigration  and 
iminigiation/'  appointed  by  the  British  Parliament  in  1889  and  still  in 
session : 

"SIR  JOHN  COLOMB. 

''193.S.  How  is  it  that  more  poor  Jews  enter  the  Jewish  shelter  from  the  United 
States  than  poor  Jews  going  to  the  United  States? — A.  The  cause  of  that,  as  far  as 
I  am  able  to  ascertain,  is  that  the  people  who  come  from  the  United  States  are  those 
w'ho,  as  emigrants,  have  been  failures.  They  have  gone  to  the  United  States,  at- 
tempted to  find  work,  and,  for  a  variety  of  reasons,  have  failed.  Many  of  those 
people  have  come  here,  although  they  are  absolutely  en  route  for  their  native  places. 
You  will  find  that  the  column  in  which  we  deal  with  the  numbers  who  return  to 
their  'native  place'  gives  a  pretty  high  number;  and  we  find  that  quite  95  per  cent 
of  those  who  come  from  the  United  States  go  back  to  their  homes  and  do  not  remain 
in  London.     Most  of  them  bring  their  fares  with  them. 

'^1934.  That  is  the  way  you  account  for  those  who  are  'failures?' — A.  Yes;  as 
emigrants  they  are  failures. 

''1935.  Do  you  mean  that  they  are  rejected  by  the  United  States?— A.  No;  I  do 
not  mean  that.  I  mean  that  they  are  people  who  have  been  to  the  United  States; 
people  who  have  no  friends;  find  that  the  climate  does  not  suit  them;  people  who 
can  not  get  employment;  they  are  failures  from  such  causes  as  lead  to  general  fail- 
ure in  emigration.  Many  of  the  emigrants  find  that  they  are  not  comfortable  or 
that  they  are  not  happy,  in  the  United  States;  they  think  that  they  would  be  no 
worse  off  in  their  native  places,  and  they  go  back  home  again. 

"  1937.  That  means,  then,  that  the  foreigners  who  have  failed  in  the  United  States 
come  to  England,  does  it? — A.  No;  they  go  back  to  their  native  place. 

"1938.  Although  'failures,'  you  consider  that  they  have  made  enough  money  to  en- 
able them  to  go  back  to  their  homes  through  England! — A.  Yes. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     29 

''1939.  Why  do  they  come  to  the  Poor  Jews'  Temporary  Shelter,  if  they  have  got 
money? — A.  I  have  asked  them  that  question  several  times.  Some  of  them  say, 
'Well,  we  have  just  been  on  the  sea  for  a  number  of  days,  and  want  a  rest  before  we 
travel  again.' 

"1940.  I  presume  most  of  these  people  land  at  Liverpool,  do  they  not? — A.  No; 
not  most  of  them.  Many  land  at  London  and  Tilbury,  as  well  as  at  other  English 
ports,  and  then  make  their  way  to  Shelter. 

"1941.  By  what  line  of  steamers  do  they  come  from  America? — A.  They  come  by 
a  variety  of  lines.  Some  of  those  who  go  to  the  Shelter  come  because  they  wish  to 
write  home  to  their  friends  for  more  money.     We  have  had  cases  of  that  kind. 

"1942.  AVhat  ships  come  Irom  the  States  to  the  Thames? — A.  The 'Monarch' line 
brings  them  up  to  London,  and  I  believe  some  of  the  ships  of  the  'National^  line 
come  to  the  Thames.  I  could  not  tell  you  all  the  lines,  because  I  have  not  inquired 
into  that;  but  the  people  who  come  into  the  Shelter  do  not  all  come  to  Liverpool; 
they  arrive  in  London  and  other  places." 

THE  JEW  IN  THE   UNITED  STATES. 

You  will,  I  hope,  not  consider  it  arrogant  if  I  add  a  few  remarks  about  the  Jews 
in  your  country. 

The  Jews  of  Russia  have  great  difficulty  to  find  a  place  of  rest,  or  even  a  fair  judg- 
ment in  public  opinion.  The  qualities  they  are  charged  with  are  thoroughly  con- 
tradictory. Reproached  for  having  absorbed  the  wealth  of  Russia,  they  are  refused 
in  America  as  paupers. 

Accused  that  they  never  work,  especially  do  no  manual  labor,  they  are  refused  in 
America  and  Australia  because  thev  work  too  much,  that  is  for  wages  below  the 
usual  rates. 

It  is  not  possible  that  so  different  opinions  give  us  true  pictures  of  the  Russian 
Jews ;  they  show  more  the  character  of  the  accusers  tliau  that  of  the  accused.  In  the 
different  countries  where  Jews  are  living,  the  inhabitants  are  different  by  trade,  cus- 
toms, laws,  etc.  What  is  thought  good  m  one  land  is  thought  bad  in  another.  Now, 
there  being  prejudices  against  the  Jews,  inherited  and  artificially  nourished  for 
political  or  business  purposes,  it  is  natural  that  the  Jew  is  always  represented  on  the 
unpopular  side;  that,  for  instance,  in  France  he  always  is  said  to  beau  agent  of 
Prince  Bismarck,  while  in  Germany  hf.  is  reprosenced  as  a  French  partisan. 

We  can  do  little  against  that.  Our  niislortune  is  that  we  are  few  in  numbers.  One 
says  we  are  influential  and  mighty,  but  that  is  a  falsehood.  If  we  really  were  mighty, 
those  who  declaim  against  us  would  be  the  first  to  Hatter  us.  It  is,  on  the  contrary, 
our  lack  of  political  influence  which  renders  an  attack  upon  us  so  easy.  Five  millions 
of  German  immigrants  are  living  in  the  United  States,  according  to  Washington  re- 
ports, while  only  300,000  Russian  people,  part  of  them  Christians,  are  living  there. 
Why  does  nobody  jirotest  against  the  German  immigration,  but  against  the  Jewish? 
How  does  it  come  that  even  the  German  press  in  America. foments  prejudice  against 
the  Jewish  immigration,  when  they  should  remember  that  they  also  are  strangers  in 
their  adopted  country. 

The  reason  is  that  the  Germans  have  political  iufluence,  through  their  press  and 
their  number  of  voters;  the  Jews  have  no  influence.  Of  course  nobody  will  admit 
that,  and  some  sham  reasons  are  given — that  the  Jews  from  Russia  are  paupers  or 
assisted  emigrants. 

The  Jews  may  be  poor,  but  they  are  no  paupers ;  they  do  not  become  public  burdens. 
According  to  the  sixteenth  report  of  the  United  Hebrew  Charities  of  New  York  (for 
1890),  out  of  1,300  inmates  of  the  city  almshouse  only  one  was  a  Jew,  instead  of  200, 
which  would  be  the  number  if  proportionately  distributed.  So  while  they  pay,  as 
is  notorious,  very  high  contril)utions  for  universal  philanthropic  works,  they  support 
their  poor  by  their  own  means.  The  Russian  Jew  did  not  emigrate  because  he  was 
unsuc<;es8ful  at  home,  but  because  a  barbarous  law  hindered  him.  And  while  he  had 
to  spend  his  last  money  for  bribery  to  be  at  least  allowed  to  leave  the  country,  it  is 
very  natural  that  he  had  to  be  assisted. 

But  is  he  the  only  sort  of  assisted  emigrants?  Of  course  not  the  only,  nor  the 
worst  neither.  The  worst  sort  of  assisted  emigrants  have  their  berths  in  the  first 
and  second  cabin.  The  son  of  a  rich  father,  who  has  never  learned  to  work,  who 
has  spent  thousands,  and  has  brought  sorrow  upon  liis  family,  as  a  last  chance  is 
sent  to  America.  If  he  finishes  there  in  prison,  it  is  at  least  far  from  home.  And 
when  he  goes  there,  and  comes  to  Castle  Garden  with  a  convenient  suit  and  some 
money  in  his  pocket,  he  is  not  considered  an  assisted  emigrant  or  a  pauper. 

Also  the  German  anarchists,  like  Most,  Rhein«dorff,  and  his  friends,  were  not  "as- 
sisted emigrants,"  but  they  were  helped  out  of  our  country  by  the  rigorous  punish- 
ments they  had  to  fear. 

You  once  asked  me  if  it  was  true  that  all  the  nihilists  wer*?  Jews.  I  could  show 
you  the  contrary  by  the  names  of  th(-  tried  nihilists;  Ity  chance  the  American  anar- 
chists nearly  all  are  German.     Nevertheless,  the  Germans  are  not  charged  with  it. 

H.  Ex.  37 38 


30     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

You  charge  the  Russian  Jew,  that  he  is  not  fit  for  agriculture. 

But  Jewish  American  people  know  that  also  the  tradesman  and  the  merchants  add 
to  the  wealth  of  the  country,  and,  therefore,  the  reproach  is  injudicious  or  unjust. 
It  was  the  law  which  prevented  Jews  from  being  artisans  or  farmers.  These  laws 
were  iu  Europe  mostly  abolished  in  1848.  Of  coarse,  as  so  often  the  son  follows  the 
vocation  of  his  father,  as  the  sons  of  merchants  rarely  become  artisans  or  farmers, 
it  will  take  some  time  before  the  Jews  take  their  proportionate  part  in  manual,  es- 
pecially agricultural,  labor.  Also  in  Russia  ia  the  Pale — with  exception  of  some 
colonie's  sp^ecially  established,  they  were  not  allowed  to  till  the  soil.  These  colonies 
may  be  styled  a  success,  if  you  consider  that  the  colonist  had  not  only  to  feed  him- 
self, but  the  Russian  official,  that  he  got  bad  and  insufacient  tracts  of  land,  and 
that  he  had  to  suffer  from  a  great  number  of  poor  harvests.  Mr.  White's  report  to 
Baron  de  Hirsch,  anyhow,  shows  that  in  the  south  of  Russia  there  exists  a  real  jural 
Jewish  poj)ulation;*  the  colonists  have  remained  true  to  their  new  vocation,  and  a 
colony  in  New  Jersey,  where  industrial  work  is  done  in  winter,  is  going  on  quite  well. 

About  the  colouies  in  Palestine,  a  special  book,  ''Wo  hinaus,"  which  I  send  you, 
will  give  you  information. 

In  Germany  some  Jews  are  going  on  very  well  as  tillers  of  the  soil  and  squires. 
Perhaps  the  most  comforting  experiment  is  that  made  in  the  Argentine  Republic. 
Two  years  ago  several  hundred  Russian  Jewish  emigrants  came  to  Berlin  without 
money.  They  were  helped  to  the  Argentine  Republic.  Other  emigrants  failed  there 
under  the  parochial  system,  which  obliges  the  tiller  of  the  soil  to  pay  half  of  his  in- 
come as  rent  to  the  landowner.  But  these  Jews,  accustomed  to  live  on  a  crust  of 
bread,  had  success.  That  is  the  more  marvelous  as  they  were  not  agricultural  labor- 
ers before.  They  received  no  help  but  nevertheless  got  on  very  well  and  are  at  least 
in  an  independent  position. 

It  was  this  experiment  which  directed  the  attention  of  Baron  de  Hirsch  to  the 
Argentine  Republic. 

Therefore  it  may  not  be  considered  partial  to  believe  that  as  a  rule  the  Russian 
Jewish  emigrant  will  x>rove  an  advantage  to  his  new  country,  a  country  for  which 
he  will  feel  deep  gratitude  as  the  first  which  gave  rest  to  his  wornout  body  and  com- 
fort to  his  tortured  mind. 

We  reached  the  border,  where  our  passports  were  first  brought  in 
demand,  and  entered  Eussia  at  12.30  p.  m.,  next  day,  via  Eydtkuhnen 
piid  Wirballen.  We  had  previously  written  and  telegTaphed  to  Mr. 
Wurts,  secretary  of  the  United  States  legation  at  St.  Petersburg,  and 
who,  in  the  absence  of  Minister  Smith,  was  in  charge  of  affairs,  and 
also  to  Mr.  Crawford,  U.  S.  consul-general,  advising  them  of  our  pro- 
posed visit.  Undoubtedly,  owing  to  the  kind  offices  of  these  gentle- 
men, we  were  courteously  treated  by  the  Eussian  officials,  receiving 
special  attention  and  prompt  disposition  at  their  hands.  We  were  two 
nights  and  nearly  two  days  on  the  cars,  about  forty  hours  altogether, 
en  route  to  St.  Petersburg.  For  the  first  day  we  traveled  through  the 
northwestern  part  of  the  Jewish  Pale  of  settlement,  to  which  frequent 
reference  Avill  be  made,  and  which  later  on  will  be  more  particularly 
described.  The  general  appearance  of  the  country  within  the  Pale,  as 
seen  from  the  cars,  did  not  differ  materially  from  that  part  in  Eussia 
outside  of  the  Pale  and  along  the  line  of  railroad  to  St.  Petersburg.  It 
is  not  very  inviting  or  fertile;  its  cultivation  as  compared  with  that  of 
England  or  Germany  is  slipshod  and  untidy.  Crops  were  being  har- 
vested as  we  passed  through,  the  grain  being  reaped  by  women  with 
sickles,  and  to  us  scarcely  appeared  worth  gathering.  The  houses  are 
low  one-story  wood,  with  roofs  thatched  with  straw,  and  in  marked 
contrast  to  those  on  the  German  side  of  the  line.  The  churches  were 
always  the  imposing  structures  in  every  village  and  city  visited. 

ST.  PETERSBURG. 

We  arrived  at  St.  Petersburg  on  the  17th  instant  in  the  afternoon, 
where  we  met  Dr.  John  Martin  Crawford,  consul-general,  who  gave  us 
every  attention  and  kindly  offered  to  furnish  us  with  any  information 
in  his  power  upon  the  subject  of  our  business. 

*  See  p.  171  et  seq. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      31 

^\]\  Crawford  stated  that  he  ^Yisbed  first  of  all  to  disabuse  our  minds 
:>f  the  idea  that  a  stranger  in  Russia  was  con stautly  shadowed  or  under 
surveillance;  that  he  could  go  about  there  as  freely  as  at  home,  and,  in 
tiis  opinion,  there  would  be  no  hindrance  or  obstacle  in  the  way  of  our 
aiaking  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  subject  we  had  in  hand.  There 
fire  few  separate  houses  in" the  city  of  St.  Petersburg,  nearly  all  being 
onstructed  on  the  block  or  flat  system,  with  the  entrances  in  charge  of 
persons  called  "  schweitzars "  and  "dvorniks,"  who,  while  not  officially 
connected  with  the  police,  are  held  responsible  for  the  report  to  head- 
D[u alters  of  the  coming  and  going  of  every  person.  By  reason  of  this 
=iysteiff  it  is  entirely  feasible,  Mr.  Crawford  continued,  to  obtain  a  report 
^f  the  doiii gs,  standard,  ari d  ch aracter  of  intendin g  emigrants.  He  also 
stated  that  he  had  no  personal  knowledge  of  Jews  having  been  ordered 
from  the  city,  but  had  heard  of  some  being  ordered  out  of  Moscow.  He 
laimed  tbat  he  had  evidence  which  would  prove  that  many  Jews  not 
from  Ivussia  claimed  to  be  Russian  Jews  because  of  their  belief  that 
better  treatment  and  care  w  ould  be  extended  in  consequence  of  such 
statement,  and  that,  in  his  opinion,  the  movement  of  the  Jews  is  largely 
stiinnlated  by  the  Baron  Hirsch  fund.  It  was  now. his  impression,  after 
diligent  inquiry,  that  the  nihilistic  movements  in  Russia  were  of  a 
fanatical  character  similar  to  those  attending  the  Lincoln  and  Garfield 
iSvSassinations,  especially  that  of  Lincoln ;  that  the  love  for  the  Czar  was 
iiniversal  among  his  people;  that  they  had  implicit  faith  in  his  divine 
right  to  rule,  and  that  they  would  destroy  any  person  who,  in  the  i)ublic 
streets  or  elsewhere,  should  undertake  to  deride  such  an  idea. 

On  the  next  day,  August  18,  we  called  at  the  United  States  TiCgation 
and  found  Mr.  Wurts,  the  secretary,  in  charge,  who  received  us  very 
ordialh^  and  tendered  his  services  to  facilitate  our  work.  With  him 
we  called  at  the  Foreign  Office,  but  found  the  officials  away,  owing  to  its 
being  a  holiday.  Mr.  Wurts  informed  us  that  he  had  anticipated  our 
iesire  for  an  interview  with  the  minister  of  the  interior  and  had  made 
a  written  application  for  such  interview  two  days  before  our  arrival  at 
3t.  Petersburg. 

It  was  our  intention  at  this  desired  audience  with  the  minister  of  the 
interior  to  inform  him  that  the  subject  of  emigration  to  the  United 
States  was  one  which  had  awakened  a  good  deal  of  interest,  and  had 
^iven  rise  to  serious  thought  on  the  part  of  our  people,  and  that  among 
the  questions  upon  which  they  desired  definite  knowledge  and  clearer 
light  w^ere  the  causes  which  incited  emigration  from  foreign  countries 
;  bo  ours;  that  the  commission  consisted  of  five  members,  who  had  ar- 
ranged to  visit  nearly  all  of  the  European  countries,  and  that  this  part 
Df  it  (Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster)  had  already  visited  portions 
)f  France,  Belgium,  Holland,  Germany,  and  had  now  reached  Russia 
Ifor  the  same  purpose,  and  intended  to  visit  Austria  and  Hungary  later; 
phat  we  were  not  sent  to  investigate  particularly  the  conditions  of 
'ifiairs  in  Russia,  but  in  Europe  generally,  but  that  our  investigations 
jaere  would  almost  entirely  limit  our  observations  to  the  exodus  of  the 
[Tews  as,  up  to  the  time  of  our  departure  from  the  United  States,  the 
emigration  from  Russia  was  almost  entirely  confined  to  that  class  of 
people.  It  was  also  our  intention  to  say  to  him,  after  frankly  stating 
)jhe  object  of  our  visit  as  here  outlined,  that  we  desired  the  permission 
of  the  Russian  Government  to  prosecute  such  inquiries  as  Avould  reveal 
'jO  us  the  reasons  for  emigration,  to  ask  their  cooperation  where  neces- 
sary, and  if  this  desire  was  not  entirely  agreeable  to  him  or  his  Govern- 
naent  we  would  be  pleased  to  be  so  informed,  in  which  case  we  would 
ilepart  from  Russia  and  continue  our  investigations  elsewhere. 


32     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

By  iiivitation  of  Mr.  Wurts,  we  met  Mr.  Arnold  White,  who  was  in 
Eusfsia  for  the  purpose  of  negotiatino'  arrangements  for  Baron  Hirsch 
to  properly  regulate  emigration,  and  with  whom  we  had  an  extended 
interview  upon  the  conditions  and  status  of  the  Jews  in  Eussia,  Mr. 
White  having  previously  visited  Russia,  more  particularly  the  south- 
western part  of  the  Jewish  Pale. 

On  the  next  day,  August  19,  with  Mr.^urts,  we  called  on  Mr.  Chich- 
kine,  adjunct  to  minister  of  foreign  affairs  (corresponding  to  our  assist- 
ant secretary  of  state),  to  whom  we  stated  in  substance  the  object  of 
our  mission  and  desires,  as  we  intended  to  present  them  to  the  minister 
of  the  interior.  Mr.  Cliiclikine  was  formerly  connected  with  the  Rus- 
sian Legation  at  Washington,  speaks  our  language  quite  well,  and  re- 
ceived and  treated  us  with  marked  courtesy.  He  suggested  that  we 
arrange  a  programme,  giving  the  places  we  destined  to  visit,  and  that 
Mr.  Wurts  address  to  him  a  note  requesting  documents  and  letters  to 
enable  us  to  visit  such  places  and  investigate,  which  would  be  gladly 
furnished.  This  itinerary  was  made  out,  and,  through  Mr.  Wurts,  was 
forwarded  as  suggested,  but  the  promised  letters  were  not  received. 

We  then  called  on  Baron  Osten-Sacken,  chief  of  the  commercial  de- 
partment of  the  ministry  of  foreign  affairs,  who  stated  that  he  was 
interested  in  the  matter  of  emigration,  although  it  was  not  in  his  de- 
l)artment,  and  that  the  subject  was  practically  a  new  one  to  the  Russian 
Government,  as  until  lately  the  emigration  from  Russia  has  been  a  move- 
ment of  which  the  authorities  were  hardly  conscious.  Their  attention 
had  been  recently  attracted  to  a  considerable  outflowfrom  theGubernia 
of  Suvalsky,  which  is  one  of  the  northern  Polish  provinces,  and  has 
furnished  a  large  number  of  emigrants*  to  this  country. 

He  asked  if  it  was  claimed  by  these  people  that  they  emigrated  be- 
cause of  religious  i:)ersecution.  He  was  assured  that  no  knowledge  of 
such  claim  had  as  yet  reached  us,  and  we  presumed  that,  whatever  the 
cause,  the  movement  having  been  once  started,  the  conditions  of  our 
country  attracted  them,  such  conditions  being  made  known  through 
the  pioneers  who  had  preceded.  He  replied  that  he  imagined  the  lib- 
erty of  going  anywhere  in  our  great  country  without  a  passport  was 
the  chief  incentive  for  joining  us,  and  this,  in  his  judgment,  was  one 
of  the  great  reforms  which  must  soon  be  inaugurated  in  Russia.  When 
it  was  suggested  that  the  attempt  to  compel  the  eXews  to  return  within 
the  Pale  might  be  one  of  the  reasons  which  induced  emigration,  he  re- 
plied: ''It  is  impossible  to  get  them  back;  it  can  not  be  done,  but  jou 
will  hear  other  opinions  on  this.  This  is  my  personal  oi)inion,  not  an 
oflicial  statement;  it  is  not  in  my  department."  After  some  further 
conversation  concerning  this  question,  Commissioner  Kempster,  appre- 
hending that  he  might  possibly  have  misunderstood  our  mission,  said: 
"  I  hope  Baron  Osten-Sacken  does  not  understand  that  we  are  here  to 
incite  emigration  to  our  country  of  the  class  of  people  that  come  from 
Russia,  but  are  here  to  learn  the  causes  which  induce  emigration,"  to 
which  he  replied:  "If  you  desire  to  avoid  these  I'eople  we  stand  on  the 
same  ground."  He  assured  us  of  his  interest  in  the  matter  which 
brought  us  to  their  country,  and  said  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  do 
anything  in  his  power  to  aid  us  in  our  investigations.  .  He  handed  us 
a  circular  published  by  the  '^Societe  de  Geographic  Commerciale,"  of 
Paris,  written  by  Prince  de  Oassano,  on  the  ''actual  conditions  of  Eu- 
ropean emigration."  In  substance  this  circular  states  that  emigration 
is  largely  stimulated  by  the  operations  of  agents  and  subagents  of 
steamship  companies  whose  objects  are  the  commissions  involved.  As 
we  will  hereafter  refer  to  Prince  de  Cassano,  whom  we  met  at  Bremen, 

*  Non- Jews. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      33 

we  simply  say  here  that  we  have  no  doubt  that  his  tour  ainoug  the 
boarding  houses  with  us,  where  this  feature  was  exaiuiued  in  detail, 
materially  modified  his  views  in  this  resiject. 

After  waiting  live  days  and  receiving  no  reply  to  Mr.  Wurts'  note  to 
the  minister  of  the  interior,  praying  for  an  audience,  which  he  had  sent 
two  days  before  our  arrival,  and  not  having  received  the  letters  prom- 
ised by  Mr.  Ohichkine,  it  seemed  to  us  unprofitable  to  delay  our  depart- 
ure from  St.  Petersbui'g  any  longer.  Having  asked  for  an  interview 
for  the  purpose  of  stating  our  mission  and  obtaining  the  sanction  of  the 
authorities  to  our  investigations,  we  could  not  well  prosecute  inquiries 
at  St.  Petersburg  until  permission  was  received,  and  we  therefore  con- 
cluded that  we  would  push  ahead  and  continue  examinations  until  we 
were  notified  to  stop  our  efforts  in  that  direction.  We  arranged  to  have 
Mr.  Ohichkine's  promised  letters  forwarded,  but,  as  already  stated,  the 
letters  were  not  received. 

Under  date  of  August  24,  we  received  at  Moscow,  fi'om  Mr.  Wurts,  a 
letter  saying,  "This  momenta  note  comes  from  the  minister  of  the  in- 
terior api)ointing  a  meeting  for  to-morrow,'*  but  we  did  not  feel  war- 
ranted in  retracing  our  steps  and  returning  to  St.  Petersburg  for  the  in- 
terview aijplied  for  ten  days  before. 

MOSCOW. 

August  22d  we  left  St.  Petersburg  for  Moscow,  arriving  there  San- 
day  nnnning.  In  the  afternoon  we  strolled  into  a  market-place,  which 
presented  to  us  an  unusual  sight  and  seemed  to  furnish  abundant  rea- 
sons for  emigration.  The  trading  here  was  confined  to  second  hand 
clothing,  boots,  shoes,  knives,  pencils,  grindstones,  needles,  etc.,  and 
ap])eared  to  be  the  refuse  articles  of  a  great  city.  We  found  Jews,  Cos- 
sacks, Tartars,  Russians,  and  Turks;  men,  women,  and  children;  bare- 
headed, some  barefooted,  others  with  "bast"  shoes,  made  of  thin  strips 
of  basswood  interwoven  after  the  manner  of  baskets,  laced  in  front  with 
cordage.  Men  with  sheepskin  overcoats,  wool  side  in,  cahco  trousers, 
and  bast  shoes.  Shoemakers,  standing  in  the  street,  pegging  boots, 
using  a  long  club,  standing  ui^right  and  inserted  into  the  boot  as  a  last, 
and  various  other  kinds  of  mending  and  repairing  done  "while  you 
wait." 

In  the  afternoon  we  drove  to  the  house  of  Mr.  A.,  in  the  suburbs,  who 
arranged  to  have  Mr.  B.*  call  at  2  p.  m.,  Monday,  August  24,  for  consul- 
tation and  information.     We  met  Mr.  B.  at  his  office  and  in  the  evening 

*We  sliall  frequently  iu  this  report  give  iuitials  of  persons  or  names  of  places 
other  than  those  which  properly  belong  to  the  subjects,  the  reason  being  that  these 
people  are  still  iu  Russia  au«l  we  realize  the  hazard  to  which  they  would  be  sub- 
jected if  they  could  be  identified,  as  it  was  frequently  stated  to  us  that  ideuti- 
fication  meant  neither  more  nor  less  than  linancial  ruin  and  exile  to  Siberia.  Tlieso 
reasons  will  appear  more  obvious  as  we  progress  in  this  work.  We  apprehend  that 
the  greatest  difficulty  we  shall  have  to  contend  with  is  to  make  clear  to  those  un- 
familiar with  the  situation  the  vast  diflerences  between  conditions  in  Russia  and 
those  prevailing  in  our  own  country  or  any  other  country  we  visited.  This  is  not 
surprising  when  we  recall  the  fact  that  in  going  through  the  Pale  we  were  guided 
by  men  who,  although  selected  because  of  their  supposed  thorough  knowledge  and 
understanding  of  the  situation,  were  themselves  staggered  by  the  facts  as  they  con- 
fronted us.  These  gentlemen  placed  themselves  entirely  at  our  disposal  and  were 
recommended  to  us  by  a  distinguished  personage  whom  we  regret  to  say  we  are  una- 
ble to  give  even  slight  credit  for  aid  rendered  by  the  mention  of  his  name  in  this  re- 
port, as  he  is  officially  connected  with  the  Russian  Government  and  the  publication 
of  his  name  would  probably  mean  serious  trouble  to  him. 

H.  Ex.  235 3 


34     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

we  weut  to  Ms  house  in  the  suburbs.  As  we  stepped  upon  the  veranda 
two  young  lads  of  about  16  years  of  age  peered  around  the  corner  oJ 
the  house  and,  on  being  noticed,  the  proprietor  said:  ^'It  is  all  right, 
boys;  these  gentlemen  are  not  connected  with  the  police."  He  intro- 
duced them  as  nephews  who  lived  some  distance  away  Avith  theii 
parents  and  who  were  spending  a  few  days  of  their  school  vacatior 
with  him.  They  were  both  bright,  iiitelligent  young  men,  and  clad  iu 
their  neat  school  uniforms  presented  a  most  attractive  appearance, 
The  fact  that  they  were  there  simply  as  temporary  visitors  at  the  house 
of  a  near  relative  and  must  remain  in  hiding,  is  illustrative  of  one  oJ 
the  conditions  x)revailing  in  Russia,  to  w  hich,  and  others  more  serious, 
the  people  affected  have  adjusted  themselves. 

The  gentleman  referred  to  gave  us  in  a  hurried  manner  a  statement 
of  the  general  existing  conditions  which  seemed  so  incredible  that  w€ 
stated  in  reply  that,  while  we  had  no  desire  to  question  his  veracity, 
they  would  not  be  accepted  as  true  by  our  people  unless  corroborated 
by  undoubted  evidence.  We  may  state  here,  in  this  connection,  that 
while  some  of  the  instances  related  to  us  were  not  actually  corrob 
orated  as  to  such  specific  cases,  yet  similar  cases,  or  analogous  to  then 
in  all  essential  features,  were  found  again  and  again. 

In  order  that  a  |)artial  understanding  of  the  singularly  complicated 
conditions  in  Eussia  may  be  reached,  we  present  a  brief  history  ano 
status  of  the  Jew  in  Eussia,  also  the  restrictive  laws  leveled  againsii 
that  class,*  together  with  recent  expulsion  regulations,  secret  police 
orders,  and  iheir  operations;  a  description  of  the  Jewish  Pale  of  settle 
ment  where  Jews  are  permitted  to  live,  the  ukases  and  circulars  in 
vitiiig  them  into  the  interior,  and  their  subsequent  modification  anc 
revocation,  all  of  which  are  pertinent  to  your  iustructions  to  ascertaii 
and  report  "^the  causes  which  incite  emigration."  j 

HISTORY  AND   STATUS   OF   THE  JEWt  IN  RUSSIA. 

The  period  when  the  Jews  first  entered  any  part  of  what  is  now  Eus 

sian  territory  is  not  known  with  any  degree  of  certainty.  That  it  wa 
long  before  the  Christian  era  there  is  no  doubt,  for  there  are  to  be  see- 
to-day  in  the  cemetery  of  Chufut  Kaleh  the  tombs  of  Jews  upon  Avhic- 
dates  are  cut  showing  that  the  sepultured  were  buried  there  long  ar 
terior  to  the  advent  of  Christ. 

In  the  earlier  days  of  the  Eussian  dynasty,  the  Czars,  or  Kings  a 
they  were  then  called,  were  i^agans.  Euric,  being  the  earliest  of  th 
great  rulers,  was  a  pagan,  as  were  many  of  his  successors. 

Then,  as  now,  it  seemed  that  the  ruling  passion  of  the  Kings  w^as  tb 
extension  of  territory.  Then,  as  now,  the  movement  w^as  toward  tli 
East.  This  brought  the  Eussians  of  the  earlier  days  into  conflict  wit 
the  Touranians,  Avhose  territory  is  now  known  by  the  modern  names  ( 
Astrakhan,  Saratov,  and  Samara,  where  the  famine  of  this  year  fir? 
assumed  such  alarming  proportions,  and  also  Simbirsk,  all  Gubernia  ( 
southern  and  eastern  Eussia,  and  considered  the  most  fruitful  agi 
cultural  provinces  of  the  realm.  Among  the  Touranians  a  large  nun 
ber  of  people  received  instruction  from  the  Semites  who  had  migrate 
thither,  and  who  embraced  the  Jewish  faith.  These  people,  who  we: 
known  by  the  name  of  Khazars,  had  a  King  of  their  own,  and  beii 
a  brave,  warlike  peoi^le,  they  were  often  embroiled  in  attempts 


*  See  p.  149  et  seq. 

IThe  words  ''Jew"  and  ''Cliristiaii"  are  the  oonmiou  desiguatiou  of  tliese  class 
in  Russia^  and  are  therefore  so  used  in  thia  report. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     35 

prevent  Eussian  invasion  toward  tlie  East,  and  were  for  a  time  suc- 
cessful. After  some  of  these  successful  excursions  made  by  the 
Khazars,  they  taught  the  Russian  pagans  the  tenets  of  the  Jewish  faith, 
and,  it  is  said,  that  some  of  the  early  Eussian  Kings  became  converts 
to  this  belief.  It  is  upon  the  tombs  of  these  people  that  the  inscriptions 
are  found  in  the  cemetery  of  Chufiit  Kaleh. 

To  this  day  there  are  found  scattered  throughout  the  eastern  parts  of 
Astrakhan,  Saratov,  Samara,  and  Simbirsk  the  remnants  of  this  ancient 
tribe  of  Khazars,  now  thoroughly  "Eussified"  in  all  respects,  except 
that  they  still  cling  to  the  old  rule  of  worshipping  G-od  on  the  seventh 
day,  and  are  called  Subbotnik  or  Sabbatarians. 

Yladimir  (seventh  from  Euric)  once  sent  for  the  teachers  and  ex- 
pounders of  the  several  faiths  about  him,  that  he  might  learn  something 
of  their  religious  belief,  being  desirous  of  discarding  paganism.  It  is 
said  he  was  much  impressed  by  the  exposition  of  the  Jewish  belief,  and 
was  upon  the  point  of  accepting  it  as  his  own,  when  he  asked,  ••'Where 
is  your  country  and  your  great  temple  f"  Being  told  that  the  Eomans 
had  driven  them  out  of  their  own  country  and  destroyed  their  temple. 
he  replied,  ''Your  God  could  not  think  much  of  you  or  he  would  have 
taken  better  care  of  your  country,"  and  then  accepted  the  Christian 
faith. 

Investigations  made  relative  to  the  precise  date  when  Jews  first  came 
into  Eussia  are  unsatisfactory,  but  it  is  shown  beyond  a  doubt  that 
they  were  in  the  territory  afterwards  acquired  by  Eussia,  if  they  had 
not  already  penetrated  it,  in  considerable  numbers  and  for  many  years 
anterior  to  the  promulgation  of  the  Christian  doctrines  in  that  country. 
They  had  followed  the  course  and  settled  along  the  fertile  valleys  of  the 
great  rivers,  but  how  they  came  there  originally  is  a  matter  enveloped 
in  mystery. 

They  were  permitted  to  remain  in  this  territory  without  molestation, 
so  far  as  anything  is  positively  known  on  the  subject,  until  the  fifth 
century,  when,  for  some  reason,  they  were  driven  out  of  Kiev,  but  re- 
turned again,  and  it  appears  that  there  was  no  well-directed  plan  of 
expulsion  organized  to  drive  them  out  until  shortly  after  the  beginning 
of  the  eleventh  century.  In  the  year  1110,  one  Cyda,  the  English  wife 
of  the  ruling  Czar,  emulating  the  example  set  by  her  own  country  peo- 
ple, induced  her  husband  to  issue  an  edict  against  them,  and  they  were 
driven  out,  many  of  them  finding  their  way  across  the  country  into 
Lithuania,  the  territory  afterwards  known  as  Poland,  and  which  was 
later  on  seized  by  the  Czars.  The  fact  that  the  Jews  were  ever  after 
persecuted  more  or  less  in  the  province  of  Kiev  may  account  for  the 
large  numbers  of  them  found  in  Poland  when  that  country  finally  be- 
came incorporated  with  the  territorial  domains  of  Eussia,  and  their 
numbers  were  farther  augmented  by  those  who  fled  from  the  persecu- 
tions in  Germany,  France,  and  England. 

The  Government  of  Lithuania,  in  the  fourteenth  century,  guaranteed 
to  the  Jews  "safety  of  life  and  property,  the  full  freedom  of  the  i^rac- 
tice  of  their  own  religion,  unmolested  rights  of  trade  and  industry,  and 
freedom  to  go  and  come  as  they  chose."  At  that  time  their  princix)al 
pursuit  was  that  of  agriculture,  which  had  been  carried  on  by  them  in 
that  country  since  the  year  893,  when  they  asked  for  and  obtained  an 
allotment  of  crown  lands  for  this  purpose,  and  it  was  not  until  about 
1569  that  some  restrictions  were  placed  upon  them,  and  these  related 
to  the  matter  of  dress.  These  restrictions  afterwards  became  more 
severe  as  the  nobility  of  Lithuania  became  more  warlike  in  their  gen- 
eral character. 


36      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

In  sharp  contrast  witli  the  leuieut  laws  of  the  Lithuanians  is  that 
edict  promulgated  by  Alexis  Mikhailovitch,  the  second  of  the  Eomanoff 
family  on  the  throne,  who,  by  ukase,  provided  that  the  punishment  of 
death  should  follow  i^erverting-  a  Ohristian  to  the  Jewish  faith. 

In  1650  the  King  of  Poland  requested  the  Eussian  Government  to 
permit  Jews  to  enter  Russia  for  the  purposes  of  trade.  The  answer 
given  him  then  has  characterized  the  feeling  of  the  Russian  Govern- 
ment toward  the  Jews  from  that  time  to  this.  It  was  as  follows:  "It 
is  not  seemly  tliat  Jews  should  come  to  Russia,  because  they  pervert 
the  Russians  from  Christianity."  Subsequent  reasons  given  for  the 
restrictions  of  the  Jews  were  to  the  same  effect,  and  their  civil  rights 
were  interfered  with  because  the  people  mistrusted  the  followers  of 
Moses  and  believed  tliey  would  pervert  Christians  from  the  true  faith. 

Under  the  reign  of  the  Empress  Elizabeth  edicts  were  issued  expelling 
the  Jews  because  of  their  rebgious  opinions.  She  caused  the  expulsion 
of  the  court  physician,  one  of  tlie  most  learned  men  of  the  day,  e'uinent 
not  only  in  his  profession,  but  in  scholarly  attainments  generally, 
whom  she  had  previously  especially  invited  to  come  into  Russia  in  the 
year  1731.  Afterwards,  however,  learning  that  lie  belonged  to  the  hated 
race,  she  caused  his  expulsion  in  1749,  saying  that  while  she  had  much 
regard  for  men  ot  learning,  she  desired  her  scholars  to  be  good  Chris- 
tians, and  this.  Dr.  Sanchez  was  not.  In  consequence  of  this  universal 
hatred  among  the  Russians,  the  Jcavs  were  repeatedly  forcibly  expelled, 
and  in  1712  a  ukase  was  issued  compelling  all  Jews  of  Avhatever  rank 
or  condition  to  leave  the  territory  of  Russia,  and  provided  that  not  one 
of  them  should  be  readmitted  unless  such  an  one  embraced  the  ortho- 
dox Greek  taith. 

Up  to  this  time  the  Russians  had  been  chiefly  concerned  with  con- 
quests toward  the  East,  but  now  a  new  condition  presented  itself  which 
very  seriously  affected  the  question  of  how  to  dispose  of  the  Jews  in 
Russia.  In  1792  Russia,  then  governed  by  Catbtuine  the  Second,  took 
from  Poland  what  is  called  "  Wliite  Russia"  (Vitebsk  and  Mohilev),  in 
which  territory  were  a  large  number  of  Jews.  As  they  had  been  taken 
with  those  provinces,  situated  in  the  territory  which  had  formerly 
guaranteed  to  the  Jews  equal  rights  with  the  Lithuanians,  a  new  dif- 
liculty  occurred.  Here  were  the  Jews.  Should  they  be  expelled  across 
the  border  according  to  the  ukase  of  1742? 

Catherine  the  second  was  not  a  woman  to  allow^  diff'erences  of  opinion 
in  religious  matters  to  interfere  Avith  her  general  ])olicy  for  the  acciuisi- 
tion  of  new  territory,  and  having  now  within  her  borders  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  Jews  taken  with  the  new  territory  lier  ]>olicy  for  the  time 
was  one  of  toleration  for  them;  for  seeing  the  disaster  and  ruin  which 
would  necessarily  follow  their  expulsion  from  the  newly  acquired  terri- 
tory, as  the  Jews  were  generally  in  comfortable  circumstances,  she  dis- 
regarded the  question  of  their  religious  belief,  and  for  the  time  they 
were  permitted  to  remain  unmolested  where  they  had  resided  for  so 
many  years,  but  measures  were  soon  taken  to  restrict  the  Jews  within 
the  captured  provinces.  In  the  year  1780  she  gave  to  the  Jews,  by 
special  edict,  the  right  of  enrolling  themselves  in  the  trade  guilds,  and 
proclaiijied  that  everyone,  "  iiTespective  of  creed,  shall  enjoy  under  the 
laws  the  advantages  and  privileges  of  his  rank  and  condition."  There 
was,  however,  much  opposition  to  this  privilege,  and  subsequently,  in 
1791,  she  issued  a  ukase  which  provided  "That  the  Jews  do  not  possess 
the  right  of  enrolling  themselv^es  as  merchants  in  the  towns  and  sea- 
ports of  the  Empire,  and  that  they  only  enjoy  the  privileges  of  the 
Jews  in  "White  Russia."    This  ukase  was  issued  only  after  she  had  : 


'ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS.  37 

taken  the  provinces  of  Taurida  (the  Crimea)  andKbersoii  from  the  Turks, 
wliiih  gave  to  Russia  all  that  territory  which  inchides  the  seaport 
towns  of  Odessa  and  Kertsch.  Odessa  at  that  time  was  a  mere  hamlet, 
but  Catherine  foresaw  the  importance  of  the  place,  and  immediately 
took  steps  to  build  up  the  city  which  has  since  become  of  such  conse- 
quence. 

The  same  ukase  that  shut  out  the  Jews  from  the  seaport  towns  also 
cut  them  off*  from  the  great  river  bottoms  of  Eussia,  the  Yolga,  Don 
Dnieper,  and  Dniester,  all  of  which  flowed  through  the  garden  of  the 
l^^mpire,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  Yolga,  emjjty  into  the  Black  Sea, 
the  northern  shore  of  which  she  now  controlled.  The  same  ukase  was 
made  to  apply  with  special  force  to  the  captured  provinces  of  Ekater- 
inoslav  and  Taurida,  in  which  were  some  settlements  of  Jews  hWng  in 
the  rich  agricultural  districts. 

There  was  still  popular  outcry  against  the  leniency  of  the  Emj^ress 
Catherine,  and  in  1794,  eight  years  after  having  guaranteed  them 
"  equal  privileges,"  etc.,  she  issued  an  edict  levying  a  double  tax  upon 
all  Jews  who  had  availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  she  liad  af- 
forded them  in  the  edict  of  1786,  which  among  other  things  had  in\ated 
tbem  to  enroll  themselves  as  merchants,  traders,  and  burghers,  and 
which  gave  •'  equal  advantages  and  privileges  to  all." 

The  successive  conquests  made  fi'om  the  territory  of  Poland  brought 
into  Russian  domains  what  is  now  known  as  the  ''  Jewish  Pale  of  Settle- 
ment,-' consisting  of  fifteen  provinces  or  gubernia,  in  which  it  is  claimed 
that  the  Jews  have  a  right  of  permanent  residence,  although  it  will  be 
shown  that  this  statement  is  subject  to  great  limitation. 

JEWISH  PALE  OF  SETTLEMENT. 

The  ''  Pale  of  Settlement"  in  which  the  "Jews  have  had  the  right  to 
live,"  although  driven  by  the  May  laws  of  1882  from  the  farm  lands 
within  tlie  Pale,  except  in  a  few  i)hices,  is,  in  all  but  the  southern  and 
southeastern  provinces,  a  flat  sandy  country.  The  soil  was  never  pro- 
ductive and  seems  hardly  capable  of  sustaining  the  population  on  it. 
The  southern  and  southeastern  provinces,  especially  the  Crimea,  are 
rich  agricultural  regions,  in  fact  the  garden  of  the  Empire.  Along  the 
entire  western  border  touching  Germany  and  Austro-Hungary,  there 
is  a  stretch  of  country  more  than  four  degrees  (240  miles)  in  width,  ex- 
extending  from  Courland  on  the  north  to  the  Black  Sea  on  the  soutli, 
whi('h  has  served  a  double  purpose.  Not  only  is  it  used  as  a  "Pale  of 
Settlement"  for  Jews,  but  it  forms  a  bulwark  stronger  than  fortifications 
to  resist  the  approach  of  an  invading  force.  No  army  could  subsist  on 
that  stretch  of  land  which  lies  between  Poland  and  the  more  productive 
l^arts  of  Russia,  300  miles  distant;  indeed,  it  was  upon  this  very  ground 
that  Napoleon  I  sacrificed  the  lives  of  400,000  men. 

This  "Pale  of  Settlement"  is  made  u^)  of  fifteen  provinces  or  guber- 
nia, all  of  which  have  been  captured  from  Poland  and  Turkey.  The 
first  of  these,  Tschernigov,  Poltova,  and  Ekaterinoslav,  known  as  "Lit- 
tle Russia,"  were  taken  from  Poland  in  1070;  Vitebsk  and  Mohilev,  or 
"White  Russia,"  were  conquered  from  Poland  in  1772;  Kovno,  Wilna, 
Grodno,  Minsk,  Kiev,  Podolia,  and  Volhynia  were  also  taken  from 
Poland  in  1705;  Taurida  (the  Crimea),  Kherson,  and  Bessarabia  were 
taken  from  Turkey.  These  fifteen  provinces  contain  about  313,000  square 
miles,  but  an  edict  orderihg  that  no  Jew  should  live  within  50  versts 
(33  miles)  of  the  frontier  of  the  Pale  (this  border  hue  being  about  1,500 
miles  long),  reduced  the  size  of  the  Pale  to  about  the  dimensions  of  the 


38     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

State  of  Texas.  In  1891  tliis  territory  contained  nearly  25,000,000  in- 
habitants, of  whom  about  4,000,000  were  Jews.  Until  the  year  1882  the 
Jew  had  the  right  of  settlement  established  by  successive  ukases  to 
reside  anywhere  within  the  Pale. 

In  that  year  orders  were  promulgated  by  Gen.  Ignatieff  which  are 
now  universally  known  as  the  May  laws,  the  first  section  of  which  is 
the  most  important,  and  is  as  follows :  v 

As  a  temporary  measure,  and  until  a  general  revision  has  been  made  in  a  proper 
manner  of  the  laws  concerning  the  Jews,  it  is  forbidden  to  the  Jews  henceforth  to 
settle  outside  the  towns  and  towulets,*  the  only  exception  admitted  being  in  those 
JewisJi  colonies  that  have  existed  before,  and  whose  inhabitants  are  agriculturalists. 

The  effect  of  this  was  to  create  a  number  of  Pales  within  the  Pale,  as 
fchat,  coupled  with  the  second  section  of  the  law,  crowds  the  Jews  from 
the  rural  districts  and  small  villages  into  the  towns  and  townlets  of  the 
Pale. 

The  second  section  suspends  temporarily  the  "Completion  of  instru 
meiits  of  purchase  of  real  property  and  mortgages  in  the  name  of  Jews; 
as  also  the  registration  of  Jews  as  lessees  of  landed  estates  situated  out- 
side the  precincts  of  towns  and  townlets."  The  tendency  of  this  was  to 
still  further  restrict  the  i^ossibility  of  Jews  to  live  in  the  country  dis 
tricts,  for  if  a  Jew  might  not  secure  land  by  purchase,  mortgage,  or 
lease,  his  agricultural  life  must  end.  Poland  was  excepted  under  these 
May  laws. 

These  May  laws  are  known  as  "  Temporary  orders;"  they  may  how- 
ever, last  forever,  and  have  already  existed  for  nine  years.  The  Em 
peror  gave  his  consent  to  these  temporary  laws  on  the  3d  day  of  May, 
1882.  This  still  i^ermitted  those  Jews  who  were  living  in  the  rural  dis- 
tricts of  the  Pale,  at  the  time  of  the  issuing  of  these  temi)orary  orders, 
to  continue  their  residences,  but  it  i^re vented  additions,  and  we  shall 
have  occasion  to  cite  a  number  of  cases  showing  how  strictly,  unfairly, 
and  harshly  these  laws  were  and  are  construed  against  those  who  were 
established  before  their  issuance.  For  instance,  a  young  man  is  called 
into  the  service  as  a  soldier;  upon  his  discharge  he  returns  to  his  former 
place  of  residence  and  is  refused  permission  to  settle  there,  as  it  is  out- 
side a  town  or  townlet,  and  because  he  has  changed  his  residence.  In 
one  case  an  old  man  having  lived  for  years  in  a  little  village,  and  had 
there  sustained  himself,  was  obliged  temi)orarily  to  remove  in  order 
that  his  landlord  might  repair  his  dwelling.  When  he  returned  he  was 
notified  that  he  had  changed  his  residence  and  was  not  i)ermitted  to 
stay. 

It  is  true  that  these  May  laws  shortly  after  their  issuance,  because 
of  the  protests  that  were  sent  from  other  countries,  were  relaxed  in 
their  severity  and  in  many  i)laces  were  practically  a  dead  letter;  for 
what  is  law  in  one  Guberuium  is  not  considered  so  in  another,  depend- 
ing entirely  upon  the  view  of  the  officials  in  charge,  and  ui)on  the  abil- 
ity of  the  proscribed  classes  to  paj^  the  tribute  of  blackmail  levied  by 
the  authorities  and  police.  We  would  not  make  these  statements  so 
strong  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  it  is  so  general  as  to  be  admitted 
by  the  Eussian  people  and  our  oft-repeated  questions  to  the  Jews  as  to 
how  they  "kept  on  good  terms  with  the  police,"  was  regularly  answered 
in  a  tone  which  indicated  surprise  that  intelligent  persons  should  ask 
for  information  upon  a  subject  so  universally  known  as  to  be  considered 
almost  the  corner  stgne  of  their  official  edifice. 


'The  towns  and  townlets  referred  to  are  those  within  the  Pale. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     39 

RECENT  REGULATIONS  AND  THEIR  OPERATIONS. 

In  1865  a  decree  was  issued,  inviting  into  the  interior,  from  tlie  Pale, 
certain  classes  who  at  that  time  had  not  the  right  of  residence  outside 
of  the  Pale,  among  them  being  "hand  workers"  or  artisans.  The 
ground  work  of  this  decree,  as  stated  therein,  was  that  there  was  a  sur- 
plus of  artisans  in  the  Pale  and  a  deficiency  in  the  interior,  and  that 
it  was  designed  not  only  to  relieve  the  one,  but  to  foster  and  develop 
the  industries  of  the  other. 

In  1880  another  circular  was  issued,  which  in  substance  gave  the 
right  of  residence  outside  the  Pale  to  all  those  who  were  then  living 
outside  the  Pale.  Under  these  two  decrees  or  circulars  many  of  the 
Jews  settled  in  the  interior,  established  themselves  in  business,  mar- 
ried, many  of  them  raised  children  and  grandcliildren  who  never  were 
within  the  Pale,  but  who  have  since  received  orders  to  leave  and  go  to 
the  districts  where  their  parents  and  grandparents  w^re  previously  in- 
scribed to  take  up  the  burden  of  life  under  conditions  with  which  they 
are  not  familiar  and  among  people  who  are  strangers. 

The  promulgation  of  the  May  laws  of  1882  was  the  first  intimation 
that  new  restrictions  were  intended,  and  the  construction  of  these  laws, 
except  during  the  interval  when  they  were  practically  disregarded  by 
the  authorities  because  of  the  protests  already  referred  to,  have  been 
growing  more  and  more  severe  and  always  against  the  Jews.  The 
artisans,  however,  who  were  invited  to  live  in  the  interior  were  not 
affected  until  within  the  last  few  months.  The  first  evidence  in  this 
direction  was  found  in  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  the  annual  renewal 
of  their  certificates  of  artisauship  from  the  artisan  guilds,  which  are 
managed  and  controlled  by  boards,  in  the  affairs  of  which  the  Jews 
have  no  voice,  however  great  may  be  their  membership.  Many  cases 
came  to  our  attention,  which  will  be  cited  hereafter,  showing  that  the 
common  method,  before  the  order  expelling  them  was  actually  promul- 
gated, Avas  to  visit  the  workshops  in  which  these  artisans  were  em- 
ployed when  they  were  out  delivering  work,  or  perhaps  on  a  holiday, 
and  because  they  were  not  found  actually  engaged  in  such  artisans' 
work  at  the  time  of  the  visit  were  reported  as  being  fraudulently  en- 
rolled in  the  artisan's  guild  and  thereupon  expelled  to  the  Pale.  JNIen 
who  were  enrolled  as  artisans  to  pursue  the  vocation  of  watchmakers 
were  expelled  because  they  had  sold  watch  keys,  one  of  the  conditions 
being  that  they  should  not  sell  anything  except  articles  of  their  own 
manufacture.  Tailors  were  expelled  because  the  buttons  which  were 
sold  on  the  clothes  were  not  manufactured  by  them.  These  were  mere 
tricks,  resorted  to  in  advance  of  the  order  which  subsequently  came 
expelling  all  artisans  fiom  Moscow,  and  indicates  a  desire  to  illustrate 
the  practical  workings  of  laws  which  had  been  suggested,  were  being 
considered,  but  had  not  yet  been  legally  decreed.  It  may  be  wise,  in 
order  to  ascertain  the  practical  effect  of  a  contemplated  law,  to  put  it 
into  operation  experimentally,  but  it  is,  nevertheless,  startling  to  an 
American. 

It  evidently  worked  satisfactorily  to  the  Russian  authorities,  as  it 
was  followed  up  by  an  edict,  issued  in  July  last*  expelling  artisans  an<l 
others  who  had  been  formally  invited  to  come  there  and  build  up  Rus- 
sian industries  and  are  now  driven  out. 

At  an  artisan  school  we  met  one  Solomon  Wolfsohn,  single,  31  years 
old,  born  in  Kovno,  lived  in  Moscow  seventeen  years,  was  a  mechanic's 
ai)prentice  three  years,  six  years  in  military  service,  the  last  two  ao  a 

*  JSee  page  165. 


40     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

noncommissioned  officer,  and  for  a  part  of  tlie  time  detailed  on  speci&l 
duty;  was  formerly  in  business  for  liimself,  running  a  machine  shop; 
employed  from  4  to  13  men,  but  business  not  being  profitable,  he  went 
to  Orenberg  and  worked  there  for  awhile;  then  returned  to  Moscow  m 
January,  1891.  Since  then  be  has  been  in  charge  of  the  mechanical  de- 
partment of  this  artisan  school.  ISTotwithstanding  he  had  formerly  the 
right  to  live  in  Moscow  as  an  artisan  hnd  a  teacher,  on  July  11  he  was 
notified  by  the  police  to  appear  before  them  and  was  requested  to  sign 
the  usual  '^voluntary  agreement"  that  he  would  leave  within  three 
months.  This  mc^h od  of  obtaining  voluntary  agreements  is  the  one  now 
usually  resorted  to  by  the  police  and  its  '' voluntarj  "  character  may  be 
judged  by  reading  the  following,  translated  from  an  orginal  document 
now  in  our  i^ossession,  names  omitted: 

July  14,  1891. 

I, ,  the  iindersigned little  citizen residing  in  Moscow 

from year,  where . 

According  to  the  order  of  his  imperial  highness  the  governor-general  of  Moscow, 
with  agreement  of  the  minister  of  the  interior,  expressed  in  the  order  of  the  chief 
of  police  of  Moscow  of  July  16,  No.  110,  I  obligate  myself  to  leave  Moscow  volun- 
tarily in  the  term  of . 

Dated  and  verified. 

Obligation  taken  by . 

Okolotochny, 

Subordinafe  Officer. 

House  No. ,  Street . 

By  comparing  the  dates  referred  to  above  it  will  be  seen  that  the  no- 
tification to  sign  the  agreeuient,  as  well  as  the  agreement  itself,  was 
dated  July  14,  1891,  two  days  prior  to  the  order  of  the  chief  of  police, 
upon  which  it  was  based,  dated  July  16,  1891. 

It  may  be  stated  in  passing,  that  a  refusal  to  sign  such  ^'voluntary" 
agreement  meant  a  peremptory  notice  to  leave  within  twenty-four  or 
forty-eight  hours  or  be  sent  by  etape.  Wolfsohn's  crime  is  that  he  is  a 
Jew.  He  is  a  strong,  healthy,  bright,  intelligent  man,  and  a  ca])able 
mechanic,  ju(]ging  from  specimens  of  his  work  we  saw  at  this  school. 
He  has  some  money,  about  500  rubles,  and  intends  going  to  the  United 
States.  (A  few  days  before  writing  this  part  of  the  report  Mr.  Wolf- 
sohn  arrived  in  New  York  and  is  already  engaged  as  an  instructor  in 
one  of  the  trade  schools  in  New  York  City.) 

Up  to  April,  1891,  when  he  was  removed,  Prince  Dolgorouki  was  the 
governor-general  of  Moscow.  He  was  credited  with  being  a  humane 
official  and  gave  personal  attention  to  his  duties.  It  was  stated  that 
he  was  removed  because  a  more  rigorous  policy  against  the  Jews  was 
to  be  put  into  operation  and  the  Jewish  question  was  used  as  a  lever- 
age to  bring  about  his  removal.  The  brother  of  the  Emperor,  Grand 
Duke  Sergius,  was  appointed  governor-general  in  place  of  Prince 
Dolgorouki,  and  during  the  interval  between  his  ai^pointment  and 
assumption  of  the  duties  of  the  office,  viz,  from  April  10  to  May  6, 
Gen.  Kostanda,  chief  military  commander  of  the  district  of  Moscow, 
performed  the  duties  devolving  upon  the  governor-general.  It  is 
claimed  that  the  minister  of  the  interior,  at  the  direction  of  the  Em- 
peror, notified  the  governors  that  all  privileges  accorded  to  the  Jews 
since  1865  weve  abolished,  the  order  being  published  on  the  1st  and  2d 
days  of  the  Jewish  Passover,  viz,  9th  and  10th  of  April,  1891.* 

This  order,  however,  was  signed  by  the  Emperor  sometime  before, 
but  was  held  back  by  Gen.  Yourkoffsky,  chief  of  the  Moscow  police. 

*  New  style  Gregorian  calendar,  which  is  twelve  days  ahead  of  old  style  or  Julian 
calendar.     Under  the  old  style  the  above  dates  would  be  March  28  and  29. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      41 

It  is  said  that  Gen.  Kostanda  liad  received  iiistructious  to  "clear  out 
the  Je^vs"  before  the  new  goverrior-geueral  assumed  charge. 

Imsnediately  after  the  x)ublicatioii  of  these  orders,  the  police  force, 
aided  by  the  fire  brigade  of  Moscow,  surrounded  the  Jewish  quarter. 
This  occurred  during  the  night,  and  the  officials  visited  the  tenements, 
routed  out  men,  women,  and  children,  and  marched  them  to  the  police 
station.  Just  before  this  one  of  the  police  officials  on  friendly  terms 
with  a  Jewish  rabbi  informed  him  that  on  that  night  a  raid  would  be 
made.  So  far  as  he  was  able,  this  rabbi  notified  his  people,  and  in  con- 
sequence many  were  away  from  their  homes  wandering  about  the  streets ; 
some  fled  to  the  suburbs,  others  to  the  cemeteries,  and  a  few  engaged 
"droschkies"  and  drove  about  the  city,  from  place  to  place,  during  the 
night.  Some  of  the  people  who  escax)ed,  and  whom  we  afterwards  saw 
and  talked  with,  stated  that  they  took  their  families  to  houses  of  prosti- 
tution and  hired  rooms  for  the  night  from  the  inmates,  these  being  the 
only  available  places  of  temporary  shelter  against  the  cold. 

About  two  months  previous  to  our  visit  Mayor  Alexeiev,  of  Moscow, 
addressed  a  circular  letter  to  all  hospitals  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
municipal  authorities,  directing  that  no  Jews  be  admitted  for  treat- 
ment wiiether  having  the  right  of  residence  or  not.     Mrs. ,  took 

to  one  of  these  hospitals  for  the  treatment  of  eye  and  ear  diseases  an 
old  man,  whose  sight  was  destroyed  in  one  eye  and  had  a  cataract  grow- 
ing in  the  other,  for  the  purpose  of  treatment,  and  was  refused  because 
he  was  a  Jew.  This  old  man  was  subsequently  seen  by  us  in  the 
suburbs,  where  he  was  living  in  hiding,  andthestory  confirmed  by  him. 
His  condition  was  most  pitiable,  paralysis  having  been  added  to  his 
other  afflictions. 

To  another  hospital,  where  the  "  Pasteur  method"  for  the  treatment 
of  hydrophobia  had  been  established  (this  being  the  only  institution  of 
the  kind  in  Kussia),  there  was  brought  a  man  for  treatment  who  had 
been  bitten  by  a  rabid  dog.  The  medical  authorities,  under  instruc- 
tions of  the  circular  already  cited,  were  compelled  to  refuse  him  treat- 
ment, but  they  did  issue  a  certificate  signed  by  the  medical  superin- 
tendent in  charge,  whom  we  saw  and  who  corroborated  the  story,  to  the 
effect  that  the  man  had  been  examined,  that  he  had  the  symptoms  of 
hydrophobia,  and  that  his  only  chance  of  cure  was  in  being  treated  at 
that  institution  by  the  Pasteur  methods.  Admission,  however,  was 
still  refused,  and  the  man  was  carried  away  on  a  stretcher.  The  super- 
intendent also  said  that  the  man  would  have  been  admitted  for  treat- 
ment had  it  not  been  for  tlie  order  referred  to. 

All  artisans  who  are  members  of  the  artisan  guild,  and  without 
which  the  right  to  reside  out  of  the  Pale  is  not  conferred,  must  pay  a 
hospital  tax  in  order  to  avail  themselves  of  hospital  treatment,  notwith- 
standing which  the  circular  above  referred  to  forbidding  entrance  to 
hospitals  was  issued.  The  following  is  a  copy  of  a  receipt  for  such 
taxes,  showing  that  it  embraces  the  time  up  to  November  20,  1891, 
while  the  (circular  forbidding  their  reception  at  hospitals  was  issued 
sometime  in  June  preceding: 

Receipt  of  the  Moscow  City  Administration  for  the  payment  of  1  ruble  25  kopecks, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  hospitals  for  workinginon  residents  of  Mohilev  Government, 
town  of  Hornel,  name  Rachel  Leah,  daughter  of  Isaac  Sakoshauskay.  Hospital 
taxes  up  to  29  November,  1891. 

Sea],  &c. 

As  ha«  already  been  stated,  the  relaxation  of  the  May  laws  of  1882, 
and  the  circulars  of  1865  and  1880,  inviting  artisans  and  certain  others 


42     ENFORCEMENT  OF  AIJEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

into  tlie  interior,  brought  persons  to  the  interior  who  were  not  embraced 
in  the  categories  specified  in  such  circulars,  and  therefore  there  were  a 
number  who  had  not  the  legal  right  to  live  in  these  places,  but  were 
tolerated  by  the  police  in  cases  where  it  was  made  an  object  to  such 
officials.  Among  them  was  a  young  girl  named  Molka  Chalphin,  18 
y^ears  of  age,  a  seamstress  who  worked  in  Moscow  two  or  three  years, 
and  who  was  in  the  habit  of  sending  from  her  earnings  about  10  rubles 
per  month  to  her  mother,  who  lived  in  the  Pale.  Since  the  active  move- 
ment against  the  Jews  she  had  lived  in  Moscow  secret!}',  but  the  meas- 
ures increasing  in  severity  her  country  people  feared  to  take  the  risk 
of  harboring  her  until  she  finally  was  confronted  with  the  alternative 
of  aplying  for  a  "yellow  ticket"  (the  protective  ticket  ot  a  prostitute, 
who,  besides  Eussians  and  certain  specified  classes,  are  the  only  ones 
permitted  to  live  anywhere  in  Russia)  or  to  return  to  the  prescribed 
Pale,  where  she  could  not  find  work  to  support  herself  and  assist  her 
mother.  She  wandered  about  the  streets  a  few  nights,  and  finally,  in 
despair,  threw  herself  into  the  river  Moscow,  from  which,  after  resistance 
on  her  part,  she  was  rescued.  At  the  station  house  she  firmly  insisted 
that  she  had  no  motive  to  destroy  herself  except  that  under  the  Rus- 
sian law  she  saw  no  way  of  avoiding  a  life  of  shame,  and  stated  that 
her  '^  only  crime  was  that  vshe  w^as  a  Jewess."  Some  kindly  disposed 
ladies  hearing  of  the  case  became  interested  and,  after  tenderly  nursing 
her  back  to  a  proper  condition,  sent  her  home.  One  of  these  ladies  re- 
ceived a  letter  written  by  the  mother  of  Molka,  expressing  gratitude  for 
the  kindness  exhibited  to  her  daughter,  the  original  of  which  is  in  our 
possession.    We  have  had  it  translated  and  extract  as  follows : 

H ,  May  18th,  1891. 

Honored  and  Esteemed  Lady: 

When  thivS  letter  reaches  your  hands  you  will  surely  be  astonished  that  I  per- 
mitted myself  the  liberty  to  write  to  you,  and  if  I  did  not  know  your  noble  heart  I 
would  not  have  dared  to  do  it.  But  my  daughter  Molka  has  told  me  so  much  about 
you — how  you  saved  her  from  death — that  I  feel  impelled  to  express  my  heartfelt 
gratitude,  thoucch,  unfortunately,  only  by  letter  to  you,  as  an  angel  guardian  sent  by 
God.  God  will  mjike  you  happy  wherever  you  go,  and  your  glory  shall  be  known  to 
all  the  world.  Our  Jews  ought  to  be  proud  of  the  fact  that  such  a  woman  is  living 
among  them  in  Russia.  Highly  esteemed  lady,  I  am  unable  to  express  to  you  in 
words  how  great  my  gratitude  is  and  how  much  you  deserve  it.  *  *  *  God  will 
not  forgive  the  murderers  who  brought  my  child  to  despair.  *  »  *  i  can  not 
describe  to  you  what  sort  of  a  chihi  she  is.  Every  mother  holds  her  child  dear,  es- 
pecially when  it  behaves  well.  I  thiuk  it  is  better  not  to  be  born  at  all  than  not  to 
be  able  to  do  good  to  one's  own  children.  Oh,  how  I  felt  when  my  daughter  had  to 
apply  to  strange  people  for  help,  who  did  not  know  her  at  all,  and  to  whom  she  felt 
so  grateful.  Of  course  you  did  not  act  from  a  desire  to  receive  her  thanks,  but  from 
mere  humanity's  sake  and  pity,  because  you  are  a  human  being  who  lives  for  others. 
May  God  preserve  you  and  make  you  happy.  *  *  *  Pray,  finish  the  good  work 
you  commenced. 

With  my  prayers  for  you  and  your  husband,  I  remain. 

When  the  persecutions  first  began  they  resulted  in  crowding  the  al- 
ready overcrowded  Pale  with  men  who  were  obliged  to  leave  the  in- 
terior, thus  bringing  about  so  furious  a  competition  within  the  Pale  as 
to  result  in  the  conditions  which  will  be  described  later  on,  it  being 
practically  a  case  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest.  The  weak  ones  were 
crowded  to  the  wall,  and  the  first  rush  of  these  people  from  Russia 
brought  to  our  country  representatives  of  what  may  be  called  the  weaker 
or  poorer  classes.  Those  who  had  more  extended  business  interests 
were  reserved  until  later  on,  the  time  to  close  out  their  aifairs  being 
graded  according  to  the  number  in  the  family  and  their  business  stand- 
ing.   The  better  class  of  these  people,  therefore,  are  beginning  to  move. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      43 

d^en  prominent  in  business  circles,  who  have  always  lived  in  the  interior, 
md  who  have  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  cultivated,  refined  people, 
vhose  chiklren  have  been  tenderly  reared  and  highly  educated,  must 
low  leave.  A  fe^y  examples  of  this  kind  as  well  as  of  others  not  yet  ex- 
)elled  will  be  in  order  at  this  stage  of  the  report,  with  a  view  of  show- 
ng  the  effect  upon  business.  We  add  here  that  the  loss  of  credit 
md  ruination  of  business  so  frequently  complained  of  as  hereinafter 
;et  forth  was  corroborated  by  statements  made  to  us  by  prominent 
)ankers,  who  also,  in  many  instances,  verified  the  financial  standing  of 
^hese  parties. 

Mr. J  cashier  and  managing  director  of  a  bank,  whom  we  saw,  as 

ve  did  a  number  of  others  in  the  same  banking  institution,  and  who 
lad  been  ordered  out,  stated : 

I  am  now  61  years  of  age;  I  have  lived  out  of  the  Pale  forty  years,  and  in  Moscow 
;wenty-three  years ;  I  have  two  children,  a  daughter  married  to  an  army  surgeon 
vho  has  heen  decorated  for  distinguished  services  in  war,  and  who  has  the  right  to 
ive  here  because  of  his  position,  and  a  son,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  university,  and 
ipto  this  time  has  also  such  right.  I  have  been  with  this  bauk  since  its  foundation 
md  am  now  its  cashier  and  manager,  at  a  salary  of  7,000  rubles  per  year  (e<iual  to 
ibout  $3,500,  but  so  far  as  expense  of  living  is  concerned  a  ruble  may  be  stated  to  be 
equivalent  in  value  to  a  dollar  here).  I  want  to  live  with  my  children  and  grand- 
hildren  and  die  in  their  midst.     I  am  ordered  out  and  presume  must  go. 

Another  gentleman  in  the  same  institution,  Mr.  F.,  28  years  of  age, 
read  bookkeeper  and  correspondence  clerk;  speaks  and  writes  fluently 
Grerman,  Russian,  Polish,  and  French;  has  lived  in  Moscow  since  1885; 
tias  been  expelled  to  leave  in  three  months,  which  time  has  been  ex- 
tended to  January  1,  1892. 

Mr.  T.,  of  the  discount  di^ision,  same  bank,  salary  2,800  rubles,  34 
years  old,  with  a  family,  expelled  to  leave  in  three  months;  time  ex- 
tended to  January  1,  1892. 

Mr.  E.,  chief  of  correspondence  department,  same  bank,  44  years 
old,  wife  and  five  children,  expelled  to  leave  in  three  months;  time  ex- 
bended  to  January  1, 1892;  resided  in  Moscow  seven  years ;  salary  4,000 
rubles  per  annum.  Asked  where  he  was  going,  replied,  ^'God  only 
knows;  they  need  no  chief  of  correspondence  in  the  Pale." 

All  of  the  above  were  uncertain  as  to  theii'  future  and  seemed  hope- 
less and  crushed  in  spirit.  From  others  we  learned  that  the  extension 
of  time  referred  to  was  secured  by  reason  of  being  on  "  good  terms" 
with  the  police. 

L.  Newmark,  55  years  old,  manufacturer  of  buttons,  emjdoys  30  to  60 
workmen,  all  Christians;  annual  sales,  50,000  rubles;  income,  from 
4,000  to  8,000  rubles;  has  lived  in  Moscow  twenty-one  years;  expelled, 
to  leave  July  12,  1892.  Does  not  know  where  to  go ;  has  a  patent  for 
metal  parts  of  buttons;  has  received  a  bronze  medal  and  diploma  from 
the  Paris  exposition  of  1889,  and  a  silver  medal  and  diploma  from  the 
Antwerp  exposition  for  excellence  of  workmanship;  his  business  is 
practically  ruined. 

The  Messrs.  Marosoff,  Russians,  manufacturers  of  cottons,  calicoes, 
shirtings,  etc.,  own  the  largest  concern  of  this  kind  in  Russia,  with  busi- 
ness places  at  Iwanoff-Wosnezensk,  Vladimirsky  Gubernium  (about  40 
versts  from  Moscow),  sometimes  called  the  Manchester  of  Russia.  In 
their  various  establishments  this  firm  employs  from  20,000  to  40,000 
men.  The  principal  products  are  sold  by  agents,  who  in  order  to  ob- 
tain exclusive  sale  in  certain  prescribed  districts  obligate  themselves 
to  dispose  of  large  quantities  agreed  upon.  There  are  about  20  of  the 
company's  principal  agents,  all  Jews,  who,  in  average  years,  aggregated 
in  sales  over  100,000,000  rubles.    The  trade  has  grown  from  3,000Jp00 


44     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

rubles  thirty  years  ago  to  over  100,000,000  rubles  now.  These  Jews 
have  two  years  to  wind  up  their  business  in,  which  is  very  much  ex- 
tended, and  to  close  up  in  less  time  would  ruin  the  agents  and  cause 
great  loss  to  the  Russian  manufacturers.  The  regard  for  these  manu- 
facturers x)rocured  an  extension  of  time  for  the  expelled.  The  Messrs. 
Marosoff  and  other  manufacturers  applied  for  exemption  as  it  would 
ruin  business  and  paralyze  industry /which,  with  the  aid  of  the  Jews, 
they  have  built  up  as  stated.  They  were  informed  that  they  did  not 
appreciate  their  own  interests  in  appealing  for  a  cessation  of  the  meas- 
ures looking  towards  the  total  exi3ulsion  of  the  Jews  j  that  while  it 
was  true  temporary  disturbance  and  distress  would  ensue,  yet  in  the 
course  of  time  there  would  be  a  vast  increase  in  business  and  they 
would  then  reap  the  benefits  of  these  rigorous  measures. 

Mr.  Julius  Rabbinovitch,  36  years  old,  married,  two  children,  resi- 
dent of  Moscow  fifteen  years,  born  in  the  Pale,  merchant  of  the  first 
guild.  According  to  the  law  he  must  have  resided  and  paid  the  first 
guild  fees  for  five  years  within  the  Pale  before  he  can  be  entitled  to  the 
right  of  residence  in  the  interior  as  a  merchant  of  the  first  guild.  He 
came  to  Moscow  before  he  had  resided  the  full  five  years  in  the  Pale 
as  such  merchant  of  the  first  guild,  to  enter  into  the  business  of  sheet 
and  railroad  iron  merchant,  and  in  this  was  engaged  fifteen  years. 
He  was,  however,  permitted  residence  upon  the  payment  of  the  fees  of 
the  first  guild,  1,000  rubles  per  annum — his  last  payment  being  made 
on  January  1,  1891,  whi(?h  entitled  him  to  continue  his  business  under 
that  payment  until  January  1,  1892,  bu.t  on  July  23,  1891,  he  received 
notice  from  the  police  to  visit  headquarters  where  he  was  informed  that 
he  must  leave  Moscow  within  six  months.  He  was  permitted  for  the 
present  to  retain  his  passport  but  must  rej^ort  in  three  months  that  he 
is  closing  u])  his  business  and  preparing  to  go.  To  comply  with  this 
order  he  was  obliged  to  make  large  sacriiices  of'liis  business  interests. 
His  books  show  tliat  his  profits  were  about  1,000  rubles  per  month.  He 
said  that  his  property  is  fairly  worth  200,000  rubles,  he  having  built  up 
a  business  which  before  the  order  of  expulsion  was  the  first  of  its  kind 
in  Moscow.  He  has  a  house  well  furnished,  is  a  member  of  the  syna- 
gogue, has  an  academic  education,  and  is  respected  in  the  community. 
He  said:  ^^I  sacrifice  my  home,  my  furniture,  my  business,  and  go  forth 
to  wander  hardly  knowing  where.  I  think,  however,  1  shall  go  to  Lon- 
don." This  gentleman  speaks  excellent  English,  is  a  highly  educated 
man,  of  fine  appearance  and  address.  AVhen  asked  why  he  was  or- 
dered away  replied,  "  Because  I  am  a  Jew;  should  I  become  an  orth  • 
dox  I  could  stay  and  have  anything  I  want."  The  police  told  him  le 
must  leave  in  six  months,  but  for  50  rubles  he  might  stay  a  year.  He 
replied,  "I  will  not  give  you  one  kopeck."  He  said  he  knows  of  sev- 
eral merchants  who  have  the  right  to  stay  because  they  are  full  mem-  liiii 
bers  of  the  first  guild  but  who  will  have  to  go  because  they  are  boy- 
cotted. ^'The  banks  will  not  accept  or  discount  our  j)aper,  and  it  is 
therefore  impossible  to  do  business  even  if  we  had  the  right  of  residence." 
He  said  all  people  of  this  guild  must  certify  that  they  do  not  belong  to 
any  political  organization  before  they  are  permitted  to  begin  business. 
His  mother's  name  is  written  in  his  passj)ort,  although  she  never  came 
here,  remaining  in  her  native  place.  When  the  police  found  her  name 
in  the  passport  they  asked  him  to  agree  that  his  mother  should  never 
visit  him  in  Moscow,  and  this  he  was  compelled  to  do.  He  has  letters 
of  recommendation  which  were  exhibited  to  us,  from  merchants  and 
bankers  (Christians),  to  gentlemen  in  London,  certifying  to  his  ability  isi 
and  business  capacity.    He  has  two  brothers-in-law  living  in  Movscow,  ia] 


n(^ 


ml 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      45 

j  one  a  physician,  the  other  a  lawyer  not  yet  admitted  to  practice,  but 
neither  of  them  can  now  get  any  business,  although  thoroughly  callable 
and  possessing  university  degrees.  The  lawyer  has  recently  been 
drafted  for  the  army  and  must  serve  there,  although  he  will  have  no 
right  to  reside  here  if  he  should  live  to  return  from  the  service. 

Mr.  Kabbinovitch  also  stated  that  living  with  his  family  was  an  or- 
phan, a  friend  of  his  wife,  and  whom  we  afterwards  saw.     She  is  an 
educated  and  refined  young  lady,  who  has  been  ordered  to  go  also,  as 
V  she  has  not  now  and  can  not  gain  the  right  to  remain,  her  parents  who 
It  [had  the  right  of  residence  having  died  while  she  was  at  school.     She  is 
tie  I  a  highly  cultivated  young  lady,  23  years  old,  a  graduate  of  aninstitu- 
nyltion  in  St.  Petersburg  fitting  her  to  teach  young  ladies.     She  came  to 
'  I  Moscow  for  that  purpose.     She  speaks  English  fluently  and  is  thor- 
oughly versed  in  Eussian,  German,  and  French.     She  can  not  remain, 
however,  Mr.  Kabbinovitch  said,  unless  under  the  protection  of  the 
'•yellow  ticket."    Continuing,  he  said,  '-There  are  only  two  conditions 
now  under  which  a  young  Jewess  can  reside  outside  of  the  Pale  in 
Kussia — one  is  to  be  converted  to  the  orthodox  chuich,  and  the  other 
is  to  join  the  ranks  of  the  prostitutes." 

Wiien  asked  wliat  he  would  probably  save  from  the  wreck  of  his  for- 
tune, which  he  estimated  at  200,000  rubles,  he  replied  that  he  hoped  to 
,|  be  able  to  reach  London  with  between  17,000  and  18,000  rubles.  [Com- 
iemissioner  Kem])ster,  on  his  return  to  London,  met  IMr.  E.,  where  he  had 
,r [already  established  himself  in  business,  and  there  learned  that  he 
fdjreaached  London  with  16,400  rubles]. 

i;4  Miss  A.  K.,  aged  18,  a  neatly  dressed,  intelligent  young  lady,  born 
e  in  Moscow,  her  parents  having  lived  there  27  years.  She  is  a  graduate 
giof  the  gymnasium  and  is  now  attending  the  Conservatory  of  Moscow, 
^  where  she  is  i)erfecting  her  luusical  education  with  a  design  to  teach. 
,.  Her  father  is  a  merchant,  and  ever  since  his  residence  in  Moscow  has  car- 
Heiried  on  his  business,  living  under  the  right  of  circular  No.  30.  They  are 
ptnow  ordered  to  leave  here  witliin  six  months.  Wliere  they  are  to  go  they 
,1  do  not  know.  She  wanted  information  as  to  wliether  it  would  be  possible 
^  for  her  to  maintain  herself  by  her  profession  if  she  should  come  to 
America. 

Mr.  H.  Press  has  lived  in  Moscow  fourteen  years,  where  he  has  car- 
ried on  the  business  of  fur  dyer  and  preparer  of  furs  for  manufacture; 
employs  50  men— all  Eussians;  has  two  bronze  medals  from  the  Eus- 
sian Exposition  of  1882-'85  for  excellence  of  workmanship,  and  is  the 
pioneer  of  this  kind  of  work  in  this  country.     Previous  to  liis  estab- 
lishing this  business  it  was  all  done  outside  of  Eussia.     He  is  registered 
He|in  the  Kovno  Gubernium,  and  must  leave  the  city  of  Moscow  in  twelve 
months,  havii>g  already  signed  the  '^voluntary  agreement"  [)resented  to 
him  last  Saturday  for  his  signature.     Has  invested  a  capital  of  10,000 
rubles;  but  two  months  ago  ordered  machinery  for  the  extension  of  his 
business,  which  cost  him  6,800  marks  and  which  is  now  in  the  custom- 
house.   Tlie  machinery  is  paid  for,  but  the  duties  are  not.     It  will  cost 
him  between  6,000  and  7,000  rubles  more  to  set  it  u[),  and  he  can  not 
iiafford,  under  the  circumstances,  to  take  the  risk.     He  asked  for  an 
elextension  of  time  for  one  year  additional,  so  that  he  might  set  up  his 
iie  machinery  and  possibly  sell  out  his  establishment,  but  this  has  been 
pfldenied.    He  is  registered  as  an  artisan,  and  all  such  must  now  go.     He 
;^  is  paying  the  tax  of  a  merchant  of  the  second  guild,  but  as  artisans  are 
lilnoAv  expelled,  his  payment  of  the  tax  for  belonging  to  the  second  guild 
-y  is  of  no  avail.     He  has  supported  six  families  at  his  former  resilience 
t/in  Kovno.     He  does  not  know  how  these  families  will  live  or  what  he 
H.  Ex.  37 39 


46      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

can  do.  His  house  furniture  cost  liim  over  4,000  rubles,  which  he  will 
be  obliged  to  sell  for  little  or  nothing.  He  has  a  business  reputation 
extending  over  the  whole  of  Eussia;  four-fifths  of  his  business  is  done 
in  Moscow.     He  said  : 

My  ambition  has  been  to  build  up  a  business  that  my  children  and  children's  chi] 
dreu  might  continue,  and  my  great  desire  has  been  to  establish  a  reputation  in  niy 
line  it  beirg  the  first  of  the  kind  in  this  country. 

There  will  be  more  serious  restrictions  upon  us,  and  I  look  for  help  from  no 
quarter  this  side  of  Heaven.  I  could  remain  here  and  carry  on  my  business  if  I 
would  agree  to  be  baptized.  To  do  so  I  would  violate  my  conscience  and  destroy 
my  manhood.  Without  conscience  or  manhood  I  can  not  expect  to  succeed  in  any- 
thing. I  do  not  pretend  to  be  a  pious  man,  but  have  a  conscience  which  I  know 
when  1  violate.  I  do  not  believe  that  the  good  God  compels  a  specific  form  of  wor- 
ship. I  do  not  claim  that  my  religion  is  better  than  others.  I  respect  all  religions 
and  believe  that  difl^erences  are  necessary  for  the  advancement  of  civilization,  but 
there  is  a  moral  right  belonging  to  each  man  to  follow  his  own  conviction.  I  do  not 
ask  or  want  the  right  of  the  nobleman,  but  I  do  desire  the  right  of  one  of  those 
di  anken  peasants  who  lie  about  the  streets.  When  I  go  to  a  place  to  make  com- 
plaints they  say,  '^  You  are  a  Jew."  If  I  violate  a  laAv  punish  me,  but  do  not  puuisli 
me  for  not  violating  laws.  I  should  not  be  persecuted  on  account  of  religion.  I 
have  achieved  a  fair  reputation  for  honorable  dealing,  and  have  had  in  my  factory 
the  property  of  others  amounting  to  200,000  rubles.  I  have  a  right  to  be  proud  of 
such  evidence  of  confidence  in  my  integrity.  It  is  my  stock  and  capital  in  business, 
which  must  be  sacrificed  because  I  am  a  Jew.  I  have  ruined  no  man,  but  have 
helped  many  poor,  for  I  can  not  forget  that  I  came  to  Moscow  a  poor  man. 

He  showed  us  the  photograph  of  his  little  9-year-old  daughter,  who 
he  said  he  desired  to  educate  better  than  he  himself  had  been  educated, 
but  he  can  not  gain  for  her  admission  to  the  schools.     He  said : 

I  have  therefore  procured  a  private  governess,  who  is  a  Christian,  to  educate  the 
child  at  my  own  home.  My  son  I  have  brought  up  in  this  business,  and  he  is  a  better 
man  than  I,  because  he  is  better  educated;  but  now  he  must  go.  I  want  him  to 
establish  himself  in  America.  ' 

Mr.  Press  is  a  large,  fine-looking,  manly  person,  who  spoke  with  fluency  ^ 
and  deep  feeling. 

EFFECT   OF    THE   PERSECUTIONS   ON   BUSINESS. 

i 

A.  W.,  a  dry  goods  merchant  of  the  first  guild,  and  therefore  has  the  . 
right  of  residence  here.     Business  sales  averaged  about  1,500,000  rubles  i 
per  annum;  will  be  less  than  500,000  this  year;  would  be  pleased  to 
have  it  still  less,  as  his  losses  would  be  lighter.     He  says  he  does  not 
know  to  whom  to  sell,  and  his  business  since  the  March  troubles  has 
been  paralyzed.    Because  of  this  he  has  already  since  that  time  had  [ 
paper  protested  to  the  amount  of  over  100,000  rubles.  i 

O.  G.,  merchant  of  the  first  guild,  manufacturer  of  silks,  satins, 
plushes,  etc.,  has  two  factories,  one  here  in  Moscow  and  the  other  in 
the  country;  employs  altogether  about  900  workmen,  chiefly  Eussians;  i 
among  them  nine  Jew  clerks  and  four  Jews  employed  in  the  factories, 
who  are  expelled  and  expect  to  go  to  America.  His  business  is  very 
much  depressed  and  injured,  owing  to  the  troubles;  claims  that  he  can  , 
not  carry  oji  his  business  with  Russian  clerks  and  assistants.  Tlu^ 
business  was  founded  by  his  father,  and  is  thoroughly  well  established. 
We  visited  his  Moscow  factory,  which  was  shut  down,  owing  to  its  be- 
ing a  Russian  holiday.  The  fact  that  his  employes  were  largely  Rus- 
sians was  evidenced  by  a  number  of  little  shrines  in  the  work  rooms. 
The  specimens  of  his  manufacture  of  silks,  satins,  plushes,  and  velvets 
were  found  to  be  excellent  in  character  and  quality.  He  started  to  re- 
build his  factory  about  two  years  ago,  which  he  said  he  would  not 
think  of  doing  now.  Most  of  his  machinery  is  of  foreign  make,  with  a 
Buckeye  engine  and  boiler  from  the  United  States. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      47 

The  effect'  of  this  pressure  upon  the  Jews  and  upon  business  is  dis- 
astrous in  general,  and  it  was  difficult  for  us  to  understand  why  these 
persecutions  were  persisted  in,  in  view  of  the  inevitable  distress  plainly 
foreshadowed,  already  felt,  and  which  must  continue  to  increase,  and 
which  increase  is  corroborated  by  the  reports  that  have  come  to  us 
privately  and  through  the  }»ress  since  our  return. 

The  reason,  so  far  as  we  are  able  to  gather  from  the  mass  of  evidence, 
some  of  Avhich  was  irrelevant,  a  good  deal  contradictory,  and  all  strange, 
was  at  first  sui:)posed  to  be  based  largely  on  religious  fanaticism  and 
partly  on  economic  grounds.  In  view  of  the  fact,  however,  that  the 
current  of  others  from  Eussia  (non- Jews),  and  not  members  of  the  ortho- 
dox Greek  Church,  such  as  Germans  (cases  of  which  we  met  after  leav- 
ing Eussia),  the  sect  known  as  Stundists  (a  species  of  Baptist),  Men- 
nonites,  etc.,  is  growing,  we  are  inclined  to  the  belief  that  it  is  mostly, 
if  not  altogether,  a  case  of  religious  persecution. 

On  August  25  we  again  met  Mr.  Bl.  at  his  office,  and  found  there 
several  gentlemen,  who  made  statements  as  to  the  existing  conditions; 
and  for  the  purpose  of  verification  we  visited  the  jjrison,  hospital,  arti- 
san's school  (where  we  met  the  Jewish  committee  of  Moscow),  and  the 
Smolensky  dejjot  to  see  departing  emigrants.  We  had  seen  published, 
and  had  frequently  heard  made,  statements  that  Jews  were  sent  to  the 
etape  prisons  and  forwarded  by  etape  in  chains  for  no  other  reason 
than  that  they  were  Jews.  This  has  been  denied,  and  met  by  state- 
ments that  Jews  in  such  convoys  were  simply  ordinary  criminals.  It 
Avould  have  been  a  simple  matter  to  single  out  the  Jews  in  such  con- 
voys, but  it  was  not  possible  to  corroborate  their  statements,  even  if 
permitted  to  make  them,  that  they  were  marched  by  etape  for  no  reason 
other  than  that  they  were  Jews,  as  the  guards  would  not  likely  know 
of  the  circumstances,  or  disclose  them  if  they  did.  It  was  necessary, 
therefore,  to  obtain  entrance  to  such  prison  and  there  learn  the  reason 
for  the  confinement  of  the  Jew  inmates.  Without  letters  from  the 
authorities  to  open  the  doors  to  us  it  did  not  seem  practicable  to  secure 
the  desired  entrance,  and  we  were  informed  that  it  was  strictly  forbid- 
den to  admit  persons  without  orders.  A  method  was  found,  however, 
to  open  the  doors,  and  on  one  of  the  days  during  our  stay  in  Moscow 
Commissioner  Weber  visited  the  receiving  prison,  opposite  the  Smolny 
monastery.  Among  the,  prisoners  was  Bela  Eeisa,  who  is  registered  in 
Mohilev,  a  province  within  the  Pale;  has  been  a  widow  for  eight  years, 
by  occupation  a  cook,  and  as  such  has  been  permitted  as  a  matter  of 
right  to  live  in  Moscow,  her  passport  requiring,  as  in  all  cases,  annual 
renewal.  On  the  30th  day  of  March,  1801,  she  handed  this  passi^ort  to 
the  police  authorities  in  Moscow  to  be  transmitted  to  her  place  of  reg- 
istry for  the  usual  certification  preparatory  to  renewal,  but  the  same 
had  not  been  returned  to  her,  and  notwithstanding  she  had  in  her  pos- 
session a  certificate  showing  that  her  passport  had  been  handed  in  for 
renewal,  she  was  arrested  for  not  having  a  passport  and  confined  in 
this  prison  and  ordered  to  be  sent  by  etape  to  her  birth i^lace.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  translation  of  the  certificate,  showing  that  her  passport  was 
properly  in  the  hands  of  the  authorities  for  renewal : 

[Ministry  of  the  Interior.    From  the  Elder  of  the  Mohilev  Community.    'No.  825.] 

March  30,  1891. 
The  passport  of  the  native  of  Mohilev,  Bela  Reisa,  daughter  of  Morducha  Terman- 
owa,  was  sent  to  the  police  captain  of  the  Ist  precinct  of  Akmovsky,  district  of  the 
city  of  Moscow. 

She  stated  that  the  only  food  received  was  '^  bitter  bread,'' 


48     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Another  case  was  that  of  Samuel  Joseph  Levin,  a  boy  of  15.    This 

boy  was  born  in  Moscow ;  his  father  Uved  in ,  near  Moscow.    He 

was  inscribed  in  his  father's  passport  and  had  the  right  to  live  outside 
the  Pale.  The  father  was  absent  at  his  place  of  registry  in  order  to  ob- 
tain a  certificate  for  the  renewal  of  his  passport.  While  the  father  was 
absent  the  boy  was  arrested,  sent  to  this  prison,  and  also  ordered  to  be 
sent  by  etape.  Both  of  these  person sH^laimed  that  they  had  committed 
no  offense,  but  were  confined  simply  because  they  were  Jews.  This 
statement  was  corroborated  to  Commissioner  Weber  by  the  official  in 
charge,  who  spoke  German  fairly  well.  He  said  that  these  people,  mean- 
ing the  woman  and  boy,  are  not  criminals;  on  the  contrary  good  people, 
and  that  they  had  been  ordered  to  be  sent  by  6tape  because  they  were 
Jews. 

With  reference  to  the  charge  that  Jews  not  guilty  of  crimes  (except 
that  of  having  been  born  Jews),  are  sent  by  etape  in  chains,  and  which 
has  been  so  vigorously  denied,  it  is  fully  established  b}^  official  docu- 
ments, duly  signed  and  sealed  with  the  official  seal,  which  we  saw. 
TJiese  documents  were  in  the  shape  of  blanks,  filled  out,  giving,  among 
other  things,  in  their  i^roper  columns,  the  ^'names''  (which,  for  pruden- 
tialreasons,  are  omitted),  that  he  ^^must  leave  the  place  because" — (we 
give  the  Eussian  words  as  well  as  the  translation),  ''Za  neimeniem. 
prava  proschivat  V,"  which  translated  reads:  ''For  not  having  thei 
right  to  reside  in."  In  another  column  headed,  ''How  shall  the  sub- 
jects be  sent,"  were  these  words:  "V  narouchniach,"  the  translation  of 
which  is,  "In  handcuffs." 

This  was  the  translation  as  furnished  to  us,  and  in  order  to  make  sure 
that  there  was  no  mistake,  a  certain  prominent  olficial  was  visited  to 
whom  the  paper  was  handed,  so  folded  that  nothing  should  appear  but 
the  indicated  language.  He  promi^tly  translated  the  same,  as  we  had 
already  been  informed.  When  he  read  "in  handcuffs"  he  seemed  then 
for  the  first  time  to  comprehend  its  meaning,  and  immediately  said,, 
"You  must  not  mix  me  up  in  this  matter." 

JEWISH    COMMITTEE   OF   MOSCOW. 

The  Jewish  committee  of  Moscow  is  a  body  forced  into  existence  by 
the  distressful  conditions  which  were  precipitated  upon  their  people, 
and  is  composed  of  professional  and  business  men  who  have  yet  the 
right  of  residence  there.    The  chief  aim  of  the  committee  is  to  assist 
those  who  have  been  ordered  out,  and  in  consequence,  are  compelled 
to  sacrifice  their  j)roperty  and  to  aid  them  in  reaching  the  Pale  by  the, 
ordinary  methods  of  conveyance  instead  of  being  sent  by  etape.    They  I 
do  not  aid  them  to  go  beyond  the  Pale.    At  this  committee  room  we| 
met  a  number  of  Jews  who  had  been  ordered  out,  the  statements  of  J 
some  of  whom  we  present  hereafter.    The  books  of  this  committee: 
were  examined  by  us  showing  the  receipts  by  contributions  from  chari- 
table persons  with  the  expenditures,  the  beneficiaries,  the  town  in 
Russia  to  which  they  were  ticketed,  the  number  of  tickets  issued,  and 
the  sums  given  for  food  en  route.     The  account  begins  April  9,  1891, 
and  was  posted  up  to  August  15,  1891,  showing  an  expenditure  oi 
'(i5,90()  rubles.     Two  thousand  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  tickets  Ibi 
adults  were  purchased  and  a  large  number  of  quarter  tickets  for  chil 
dren.    Although  the  collections  have  been  27,000  rubles  up  to  date, 
we  were  informed  that  no  more  could  be  made  owing  to  the  gencrall 
demoralization  among  the  Jews  who  have  heretofore  contributed.     AV 
credit  among  them  is  destroyed  and  no  one  knows  where  the  blow  ma}, 
next  faU. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      49 

CASES.  SEEN   AND    STATEMENTS    TAKEN   AT   THE    COMMITTEE    ROOMS. 

A  widow  by  the  name  of  Xakliema,  lived  here  tweuty-oue  years;  her 
husband  was  a  merchant.  After  his  death  she  worked  at  shirt-making 
and  during  the  live  years  of  her  widowhood  has  earned  about  60  rubles 
per  month,  aided  by  her  daughter,  who  has  more  than  an  average  edu- 
cation.   The  committee  furnished  them  tickets  to  Warsau,  Poland. 

An  old  man  by  the  name  of  Levy,  lived  here  nineteen  years;  had  a 
shirt-making  establishment;  annual  profits  from  4,000  to  5,000  rubles. 
Since  the  raid  in  April,  nearly  five  months,  he  has  taken  in  only  about 
400  rubles  because  of  the  loss  of  customers  and  general  trade  disturb- 
ance. His  son  '^  has  the  right  to  remain  here  also,"  but  both  are  ordered 
to  leave  in  nine  months.  He  is  more  favorably  situated  than  others  as 
he  has  parents  within  the  Pale  who  can  assist  him. 

Simon  Toohatsinsky,  aged  40  years,  six  years  in  Moscow:  a  baker,  and 
therefore  had  the  right  of  residence.  He  is  married  and  has  five  chil- 
dren, daughters.  Ordered  to  leave  within  two  months  by  the  police 
who  took  his  passport  away  and  told  him  that  it  woukl  be  returned  to 
him  "day  after  to-morrow."  This  was  two  weeks  ago  and  the  passport 
has  not  yet  been  received  and  of  course  will  not  be.  He  came  from 
Koviio  where  he  learned  his  trade.  He  had  been  earning  00  rubles  per 
month;  now  he  can  not  get  20.  His  daughter,  a  tailoress,  19  years  old, 
has  also  been  ordered  away.  He  was  one  of  the  victims  of  the  "  oblava," 
the  midnight  raid  of  last  April.  This  man,  although  having  the  right 
to  reside  in  Moscow  by  reason  of  his  artisan's  certificate,  was  arrested 
and  confined  in  a  dark  room  until  8  in  the  morning,  and  then  taken  to 
the  police  station  where  he  was  detained  for  twenty-eight  hours  longer 
without  anytliing  to  eat.  Provisions  were  brought  for  him  but  tliey 
were  not  allowed  to  be  delivered.  Those  who  had  the  right  of  residence 
as  he  had,  weie  finally  discharged;  the  others  were  sent  byetape,  hand- 
cutt'ed  with  criminals,  among  them  several  murderers.  He  said  that  he 
knew  them  to  be  murderers  as  they  wore  a  yellow  diamond  on  the  back, 
thieves  being  decorated  with  black  ones.  Nearly  500  were  arrested 
that  night  and  200  sent  to  prison.  A  family  of  five  children  were  taken 
from  the  fatiier  because  the  mother  was  absent.  The  children  were 
all  small  and  had  nothing  to  eat  for  thirty  six  hours. 

Mr.  Le])in,  cook,  aged  44,  lived  here  nearly  twenty-seven  years;  came 
from  Mohilev;  married,  seven  (children,  from  10  to 23  years  old;  ordered 
aAvay  August  24,  but  got  six  months  grace.  A  policeman  came  to  his 
house  and  asked  him  to  sign  the  usual  voluntary  agreement  to  go  out 
in  six  months.  He  saw  the  midnight  raid  already  described,  but  for- 
tunately for  hini,  was  outside  of  the  circle.  He  has  at  various  times 
sheltered  relatives  for  the  night  who  came  to  Moscow  on  a  visit,  and 
for  which  he  was  fined  40  rubles  for  each  offense  and  the  last  time  was 
imprisoned  for  one  month.  Since  then  he  has  not  dared  to  shelter  his 
relatives  when  they  came  on  a  simple  visit.  This  man  wants  to  go  to 
the  Argentine  Republic. 

Mrs.  Ita  Zalkin,  a  widOw  40  years  old;  one  son  12  years,  two  daugh- 
ters 15  and  18,  and  one  daughter  married.  Is  a  cook  and  therefore  had 
the  right  of  residence.  A  month  ago  she,  as  well  as  the  sons  and 
daugliters,  received  notice  to  leave  within  three  months.  She  wants  to 
go  to  where  some  of  her  people  are,  in  America.  Her  employers  speak 
of  her  as  a  very  excellent  woman. 

Kapliael  Efross,  married,  wife,  five  daughters  and  one  son,  has  been 
here  twenty-four  years  and  has  the  right  of  residence  in  Moscow  as 
assistant  to  his  brother,  a  tradesman  of  the  first  guild.  About  a  month 
H.  Ex.  235 4 


50     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

ago,  July  25,  liis  passport  was  called  in  with  a  request  for  his  state 
ment  whether  he  came  here  to  work  for  his  brother  or  whether  he  i^ 
simi)ly  a  resident  of  the  city.  His  son  has  been  ordered  out,  to  leave 
within  six  months.  The  father  was  daily  expecting  an  order  of  expul 
sion.  (Since  we  saw  him  the  order  of  expulsion  has  been  served,  auc 
he  is  now  on  his  way  to  America.)  He  lived  near  the  etape  prison,  tlii; 
being  the  one  already  referred  to.  \He  has  been  in  the  habit  of  di 
tributing  food  and  assisting  the  peoi)le  who  have  been  expelled  and  arc 
in  transit;  said  the  men  are  chained  and  handcufied  to  each  other 
but  not  the  women  and  children.  Xo  distinction  is  made  between  Jews 
and  criminals  going  by  etape  and  they  are  mixed  indiscriminately  witl 
criminals  of  all  kinds,  although  the  convicts  are  kept  separate  in  tin 
IDrison.  Mrs.  Efross,  wife  of  Raphael,  whom  we  saw  at  her  home,  tolc 
us  of  a  woman  named  ISTerschovitz,  from  Nijui-Kovgorod,  accomi)anie( 
by  her  husband  and  five  children,  who  had  been  ordered  out  and  were 
going  to  Warsaw.  On  the  way  to  Moscow,  and  in  prison,  she  was  de 
liver ed  of  a  child  which  was  seven  days  old  when  they  reached  here 
They  remained  here  three  weeks  and  Mrs.  Efross  frequently  took  nour 
ishment  and  clothing  for  the  child  to  the  prison.  They  were  forwardec 
by  etape  with  about  50  other  prisoners  on  the  27-28  Jul}',  the  husban( 
being  in  chains.  He  had  formerly  been  a  shopkeeper,  and  his  crim« 
was  that  he  is  a  Jew.  Mrs.  Efross  said  that  she  had  often  tried  to  lui 
nish  food  to  the  children  and  the  women,  but  was  usually  driven  awa^ 
by  the  soldiers.  She  frequently  went  with  the  column  from  the  foi 
warding  prison  to  the  station  for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  those  people 
who  sai<l  they  could  not  eat  the  prison  fare,  with  food,  money,  o 
clothing.  She  was  successful  only  when  the  officer  in  charge  wa 
kindly  disposed.  She  has  seen  the  kind-hearted  Eussians,  moved  b; 
the  i)itial)le  condition  of  these  people,  give  them  money  as  they  passe( 
through  the  streets. 

One  woman,  Mrs.  Sterman,  had  some  money  and  wanted  to  pay  fo 
food,  but  was  not  permitted  to  do  so  by  the  officers.  This  mode  o 
relief  is  hampered  materially  by  the  fear  of  expulsion  or  punishment  o 
those  who  thus  attempt  to  succor  their  unfortunate  race. 

Mrs.  Efross  is  a  gray-haired,  kindly  faced,  woman,  bright  and  intelj 
ligent,  and  sourrounded  by  her  daughters  makes  as  i^retty  a  picture  ol 
good  home  lii'e  as  can  be  seen  anywhere.  Stamped  ui)on  her  face  i 
the  illy  concealed  expression  of  fear  so  commonly  characteristic  of  a^ 
these  people,  yet  there  was  that  about  her  which  indicated  a  spirit  f 
resignation  and  stern  conviction  that  she  is  doing  only  her  duty,  an- 
is  sustained  by  a  trust  in  the  better  time  which  the  Jew  in  Russia  look 
forward  to.  Her  son,  who  is  married  and  has  four  children,  has  bee: 
ordered  away,  but  as  yet  does  not  know  where  to  go. 

Mrs.  Lena  Lahulman,  tailoress,  married,  two  children;  her  husban 
was  first  a  tradesman  in  a  small  way  and  lived  here  under  the  protectio 
of  the  wife  who  was  enrolled  as  an  artisan.  A  month  ago  they  wer 
notified  they  must  leave  within  four  months:  and  as  this  would  carr 
them  late  into  the  fall  they  wanted  to  go  as  soon  as  possible.  The 
expressed  a  wish  to  go  to  America  to  earn  their  living,  if  they  can  d 
so  by  industry.  They  are  intelligent  people  but  have  little  mean.' 
They  have  always  had  a  comfortable  home,  the  husband  having  a  Ge^ 
man  as  well  as  a  Russian  education.  He  was  compelled  to  sign  tn 
usual  '^voluntary  agreement ; "  she  came  here  originally  with  her  moth€ 
and  was  married  here. 

Mrs.  Olga  Izakoschanokaja,  tailoress,  married,  two  children.  H( 
husband  is  in  Homel  in  the  Pale  and  has  not  the  right  of  residence  her( 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      51 

has  been  ordered  to  go  Avitbin  three  months.  She  Avas  born  in  TiiUi 
outside  of  the  Pale  and  therefore  can  not  go  back  there.  She  wishes  to 
go  to  the  United  States.  She  has  no  relatives  or  friends  there  but  says 
she  has  been  informed  that  in  America  one  can  earn  a  living  by  indus- 
try and  that  no  one  is  there  persecuted.  She  has  always  earned  her 
own  living. 

S.  S.,  wife  and  five  children,  has  resided  here  for  eighteen  years  with 
his  family,  is  a  merchant  and  successful  in  business.  Last  spring  he 
started  to  visit  Jerusalem.  Upon  reaching  Odessa  he  heard  that  the 
police  had  surrounded  the  district  where  he  liv^ed,  but  he  thought  it  was 
a  false  newsi^aper  report.  At  Juntza  he  received  a  telegram  from  his 
wife,  stating  that  they  had  trouble,  and  asking  him  to  return  at  once. 
She  was  ill  and  was  not  arrested,  but  saw  the  ''oblava"  arrests  aiid  cor- 
roborates the  statements  already  made.  He  states  that  stores  were 
being  closed  every  day  by  order  of  the  police  because  their  x)roprietors 
are  Jews.  At  one  of  these  stores,  where  clothing  was  sold,  the  |)ropri- 
etor  told  us  he  did  not  know  where  to  go,  but  w^as  disposing  of  his  stock 
as  ra]Htlly  as  possil)le.  j\Ir.  S.  has  six  months  to  get  away  and  is  sell- 
ing his  goods  at  a  large  sacrifice  in  order  to  close  out  in  time.  He  has 
a  pharmacy  also,  and  expects  that  this  business  will  soon  be  confined 
in  its  sales  to  the  Jewish  population,  and  as  the  Jews  are  being  expelled 
there  will  be  no  trade  of  this  kind  even  if  he  retained  the  right  to 
remain.  The  police  visited  him  at  his  house,  presented  the  usual 
involuntary"  agreement  to  sign,  and  told  him  he  must  leave  because  it 
was  the  Emperor's  will,  not  because  he  was  a  criminal,  but  because  he 
was  a  Jew,  and  that  if  he  did  not  sign  and  leave  voluntarily  he  would 
be  sent  by  etajje  in  cliains.  A  friend  of  his  named  Pariser,  a  native 
of  Poltava,  had  also  been  ordered  away,  but  presuming  upon  the  fact 
that  he  was  a  favorite  in  the  community  he  hoped  to  get  relief  from  the 
edict.  He  was  arrested,  however,  clmined  to  a  (^iminal,  and  forwarded 
by  (^tape  to  Poltava,  and  to  jn^event  a  similar  fate  Mr.  S.  signed  the 
agreement  and  is  now  anxious  to  get  away.  He  goes  from  here  to 
Warsaw,  where  he  says  he  will  be  safer,  but  eventually  he  intends  to 
go  to  Palestine,  where  since  the  days  of  the  Cossacks  the  Jews  are  per- 
mitted to  reside. 

H.,  agent  for  foreign  houses  of  various  manufiictures,  an  intelligent 
gentleman,  47  years  old,  married,  wife  and  daughter,  has  lived  in  Mos- 
cow twenty-four  years  as  a  matter  of  right,  first  as  an  artisan  under 
♦circular  30,  1880,  and  also  as  the  representative  of  another  person  Avho 
had  the  right  to  live  here.  Has  lived  in  his  present  habitation  sixteen 
years.  To  avoid  annoyance  he  has  purchased  police  protection,  cost- 
ing 50  to  60  rubles  annually  (which  he  says  was  very  cheap,  the  low 
rate  being  due  to  the  fact  that  he  is  an  old  patron  of  tlie  i)olice).  On 
August  24  he  was  visited  by  a  policeman  who  had  several  hundred 
blank  forms,  one  of  which  he  was  directed  to  sign,  and  which  obligated 
him  to  leave  Moscow  before  August  20,  1892  (one  year).  Under  the 
recent  circular  he  belonged  to  the  category  given  a  six  months  limit, 
but  owing  to  the  '^ friendship  of  the  police,"  his  good  standing,  and  the 
importance  of  the  interests  he  represented,  he  was  granted  twelve 
months.  He  expects  to  take  all  the  time  allowed  him  to  wind  up  his 
affairs.  He  says  that  90  per  cent  of  his  fortune  (about  100,000  rubles) 
will  be  sacrificed,  and  he  would  willingly  take  25  per  cent  to-day.  He 
does  not  yet  know  where  he  will  go,  but  he  says  his  great  desire  is  to 
go  to  some  country  where  he  caii  l3e  a  free  man.  He  in'cfers  a  dry  crust 
and  freedom.  He  is  a  very  bright  and  accomplished  gentleman.  With 
tears  in  his  eyes  he  related  occurrences  that  at  that  time  seemed  to  us 


52      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

hardly  credible.  He  told  us  of  a  certain  MLsintieve,  a  paralytic,  wlio 
in  March  last  was  carried  by  tlie  police  on  a  stretcher  to  the  railroad 
station  and  exj^elled  because  he  was  a  Jew.  In  vain  they  were  implored 
to  leave  him  until  fit  to  travel.  He  died  shortly  afterwards.  This  gen- 
tleman's brother-in-law,  having  a  wife  and  seven  children  ranging  from 
1 J  to  17  years  of  age,  has  also  signed  the  "voluntary  agreement"  to 
leave  in  nine  months.  He  is  a  soapiiiaker  and  has  lived  in  Moscow 
twenty-eight  years;  was  married  and  all  his  children  born  there.  The  \ 
children  of  school  age  are  well  educated,  several  of  them  receiving  the 
distinction  of  "best  scholar"  and  have  their  names  inscribed  on  the 
"gold  slate."  He  does  not  know  where  to  go.  He  has  25  to  30  em- 
ployes, all  Russians,  being  forbidden  to  employ  Jews.  "I  am  ruined, 
and  nothing  but  misery  stares  me  in  the  face.  It  means  baptism  or 
expulsion."  Another  brother-in-law,  S.,  has  a  glove  manufactory  em- 
ploying 25  men,  has  signed  the  usual  agreement  to  leave  in  six  months. 
Being  unwilling  to  face  the  misery  of  expulsion  he  has  gone  to  Warsaw, 
where  he  has  registered  to  be  baptized  an  "  English  Eeformist,"  after 
which  he  will  return  here  and  endeavor  to  live  unmolested.  Questioned 
about  the  surrounding  by  police  and  fire  brigade  of  a  certain  quarter 
of  Moscow  in  April,  Mr.  H.  asked  whether  we  had  ever  seen  a  bear  or 
wolf  hunt  where  they  formed  an  "oblava,"  meaning  a  circle  towards 
the  center  of  which  the  prey  is  driven.  "If  you  have  you  can  form  an 
idea  of  the  plan  pursued  by  the  authoiities  on  that  occasion."  On  tbat 
night  he  had  five  or  six  guests  at  his  house  at  a  card  party.  At  mid- 
night his  friends  departed,  and  about  fifteen  minutes  later,  alter  he  and 
family  had  retired,  his  servant  informed  him  that  they  had  returned, 
and  said  that  the  place  was  surrounded  by  the  police,  who  ordered 
them  back.  Two  of  the  young  ladies  of  the  party  were  very  much 
frightened,  whom  he  quieted  with  the  information  that  the  police  were 
friendly.  Shortly  afterwards  one  of  these  officials  came,  whom  he 
asked  why,  in  view  of  their  friendship,  he  came  at  that  unseemly  hour 
to  disturb  him.  He  replied  that  he  liad  strict  orders  to  examine  all 
houses  to  discover  Jews  who  had  no  right  to  live  in  Moscow,  but  as  he 
was  his  friend  he  might  inform  his  guests  to  keep  quiet,  as  they  would 
not  be  molested.  They  afterward  lett  without  interference.  From  the 
same  building  10  or  12  were  taken  to  the  station  house,  where  after  ex- 
amination they  were  either  discharged  or  sent  to  prison. 

Aiigiist  26^  1891. — Mr.  B.,  a  prominent  business  man,  well  educated, 
seventeen  years  in  Moscow  related :  His  father  belonged  to  the  first 
guild  in  Kiev,  paying  the  required  rates  for  twenty  years.  He  himself 
has  lived  here  under  circular  30,  as  general  manager  of  a  large  cor])or- 
ation.  He  has  been  notified  to  leave,  and  signed  the  usual  agreement 
to  go  within  one  year  from  July  14.  One  of  his  sons  is  in  the  univer- 
sity, the  other  in  the  gymnasium.  He  may  return  to  Kiev.  Kiev  al- 
though in  the  Pale  has  a  small  Pale  within  itself,  but  this  gentleman 
has  the  right  to  live  anywhere  in  that  city.  As  his  business  interests 
can  be  transferred  to  Kiev  he  does  not  anticipate  a  very  great  sacrifice 
in  the  transfer.  He  took  charge  of  the  business  seven  years  ago,  it 
having  been  formerly  managed  entirely  by  Russians.  At  that  time  the 
stock  of  the  concern  sold  at  about  10  j)er  cent  of  its  par  value,  but  has 
since  sold  for  80  per  cent,  and  is  now  worth  120.  He  says  he  is  on 
"  good  terms  with  the  police"  from  whom  he  received  frequent  notices 
to  loan  them  money  which  is  never  repaid,  in  fact,  never  demanded,  as 
the  expectation  of  a  notification  to  report  at  the  "outchastok"  (i)olice 
station)  prevents.  He  repeated  the  statement  frequently  made  that  no 
bank  will  now  discount  Jewish  paper,  as  credit  i^  completely  destroyed, 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      53 

no  one  being"  safe  from  expiils^iou.  He  pureLased  extension  of  tlie  ex- 
pulsion limit,  his  limit  being  three  months ;  he  had  it  extended  to  twelve 
months  at  a  cost  of  100  rubles.  One  of  his  assistants  is  a  Jew,  having 
a  wife  and  seven  children,  who  received  the  usual  notice  to  leave,  and 
to  save  himself  was  baptized  in  the  orthodox  church.  For  a  while  he 
was  undisturbed,  but  finally  he  was  notified  that  he  could  stay,  but  his 
family  must  leave.  They  purchased  xjeace  at  the  same  price,  viz :  bap- 
tism. Another  of  his  assistants  refused  to  be  baptized,  saying  he  pre- 
ferred to  die.  He  has  a  three-month sUimit.  Mr.  B.  spoke  of  him  as  a 
veiy  praiseworthy  person  with  whom  he  would  entrust  unlimited  sums 
of  money.  He  said  that  one-half  of  the  income  of  the  middle  class  of 
Jews  has  been  required  to  purchase  police  protection.  He  claims  that 
Kussian  tradesmen  and  citizens  are  generally  kindly  disposed  towards 
his  race,  and  that  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  for  a  Jew  to  obtain  fifty 
signatures  to  a  petition  permitting  him  to  remain  in  Moscow.  Has 
known  of  such  abject  misery  among  his  peojde  that  even  some  of  the 
police  haA  e  been  mov^ed  to  pity,  and  contributed  from  their  own  pockets 
to  relieve  them,  uiul  of  Kussian  ])eople  who  furnished  temporary  shelter 
to  expelled  Jews  or  those  who  dared  not  return  to  their  houses  for  the 
night. 

Jilutskus  Brothers,  manufacturers  of  leather  goods,  trunks,  port- 
folios, pocketbooks,  etc.  floseph  has  lived  in  Moscow  twenty-five  years, 
another  brother  tweuty-two  years,  and  the  third  eighteen  years,  all  mar- 
ried, the  three  together  having  twenty-one  children.  They  have  been 
proprietors  of  the  business  fifteen  years  and  their  enqjloyes  in  and  out- 
side of  the  factory  and  dependent  on  their  business,  number  150  to  175. 
Bought  the  business  originally  for  100  rubles,  had  a  cai>ital  then  of  COO 
rubles,  annual  sales  until  recently  have  been  180,000  rubles.  The  fac- 
tojy,  stock,  and  business  was  worth  prior  to  the  disturbances  45,000 
rubles;  must  now  sacrifice  at  least  25,000  rubles.  Received  notice 
in  Ai)iil  to  leave  within  twelve  months.  A  son  (over  21),  three  as- 
sistants, a  bookkeeper,  a  clerk  and  cashier,  received  three  months' 
grace,  another  assistant  who  [)aid  the  |)olice,  five  and  a  half  months'. 
Another  with  five  children  twelve  months.  Asked  if  he  paid  anything 
for  his  privilege  (he  being  in  the  category  granting  a  six-months  limit) 
shrugged  his  shoulders  and  replied  "ISo  one  receives  grace  without 
paying  the  police."  He  called  his  creditors  together,  told  them  his 
credit  was  gone  and  his  business  ruined.  He  exhibited  to  us  the  state- 
ment which  he  placed  before  his  creditors  showing  assets  100,800  rubles, 
acceptance  outstanding  41,500  rubles,  commercial  pai}er  discounted  and 
outstanding  5G,884  rubles,  of  which  about  10,000  rubles  had  akeadj^ 
gone  to  protest.  Their  customers  (;an  not  or  will  not  pay ;  those  refusing 
because  no  new  goods  will  be  sold  to  them.  The  factor}^  and  arrange- 
t  ments  cost  over  10,000  rubles.  They  advertised  it  for  sale  three  times 
but  have  had  no  bids.  They  would  gladly  take  2,000  rubles.  For  his 
oiiice  furniture  for  which  he  paid  800  rubles  he  has  received  a  bid  of  50 
.rubles;  would  sell  for  100.  Would  sell  wagons,  sleighs,  etc.,  for  10x)er 
;cent  of  cost.  Sold  one  horse  costing  150  rubles  for  48.  When  asked 
wln^re  he  intended  to  go  he  said  he  did  not  know.  Twenty-five  years 
ago  some  of  his  relatives  went  to  Chicago ;  about  the  same  time  he  went 
;to  Moscow.  A  correspondence  has  been  kept  up,  the  Chicago  relatives 
•  writing  that  they  had  prosi^ered  and  were  rich.  They  replied  that  they 
too  had  i>rospered.  ^'Our  Chicago  relatives  are  American  citizens. 
We  are  driven  into  a  stiange  world  with  twenty-one  children  and  are 
almost  ashamed  to  go  to  our  Cliicago  friends.  We  are  aimless  and 
hopeless."    Teais  streamed  from  this  man's  eyes  as  he  told  his  tale. 


54     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

He  is  an  intelligent,  well  preserved  man  forty-seven  years  of  age.  "]\I,^ 
children  have  been  thoroughly  educated  as  fast  as  they  grew  up,  edu 
cation  having  thus  far  carried  with  it  certain  privileges  but  these  an 
now  taken  away." 

Mr.  E.,  vouched  for  as  a  young  man  of  respectability,  a  former  resi 
dent  of  the  Yolga  region,  said  of  the  people  there:  "They  are  mostly  o 
German,  Swiss,  and  Bavarian  extraction.  They  had  concessions  fioii 
Catherine  the  Second,  freeing  them  from  military  service  for  one  huii 
dred  years,  to  which  afterwards  was  added  fifty  years.  This  term  ex 
pired  twelve  or  thirteen  years  ago.  M any  of  them  are  Mennonites,  son  h 
of  whom  first  emigrated  to  Mexico  and  afterwards  to  the  United  States 
The  movement  was  checked  by  bad  reports  from  the  emigrants,  bu 
owing  to  impoverished  land,  hard  times  in  Russia,  and  official  pressure 
it  is  again  beginning,  and  emigration  to  the  United  States  may  be  ex 
pected  in  the  near  future."  (As  already  stated,  this  is  beginning  t( 
manifest  itself.)  The  pioneers  to  the  United  States  were  of  the  bette 
class  who  desired  to  escape  military  duty  and  settle  in  a  free  country 
They  did  not  own  their  lands  along  the  Volga,  but  held  them  unde 
three- year  leases. 

We  next  visited  the  school  for  the  Jewish  artisans  in  Moscow,  wber 
boys  are  educated  and  taught  some  trade.  This  institution  has  beei 
supported  entirely  by  the  Jewish  community,  but  the  recent  older 
will  effectively  destroy  it.  Some  of  its  teachers  and  women  cook 
about  the  place  have  already  been  ordered  to  leave,  and  wives  of  th 
members  of  the  committee  have  been  temporarily  pressed  into  servic 
to  rex3lace  such  cooks.  There  are  now  25  orphan  boys  lodged  here  am 
40  others  obtain  their  meals  at  this  place.  Twelve  little  fellows  wer 
eating  their  dinners  at  the  time  we  visited,  all  children  of  parents  wli 
have  been  expelled  from  the  city  and  who  have  no  other  place  to  gel 
bread.  As  we  entered  another  department  of  this  institution  one  c 
the  emi)loyes,  a  baker,  believing  tliat  we  were  x)o]ice  si)ies,  fled  precij 
itately,  fearing  we  were  going  to  arrest  him.  Adjoining  this  school  w 
saw  a  very  fine  building,  designed  for  a  synagogue,  upon  which  tiier 
have  already  been  expended  about  200,000  rubles.  The  head  of  th 
Greek  Church,  M.  Pobiedonostzev,  ordered  the  cupolas  taken  down  o 
the  ground  that  the  orthodox  peasants  might  mistake  it  for  one  of  tbei 
own  churches.  The  plan  of  this  synagogue  was  originally  a])prove 
by  the  municipal  and  other  authorities,  as  required.  One  of  the  con 
mittee  stated  that  it  will  never  be  finished,  as  there  is  crying  need  fo 
the  money  they  have  for  other  and  more  urgent  purposes. 

At  a  hospital  subsequently  visited  we  also  created  terror  to  the  phj 
sicians  in  charge,  who  begged  us  not  to  mention  their  names  in  connec 
tion  with  the  subject-matter  of  our  inquiries.  They  were  so  evident! 
desirous  of  leaving  the  hospital,  and  so  panic  stricken,  that  we  fej 
compelled  to  leave  before  finishing  what  seemed  to  us  pertinent  bn 
harmless  inquiries. 

We  also  called  on  the  United  States  consul,  Mr.  Wertheim,  who  ha 
not  received  our  circular  letter.  We  left  with  him  a  coi)y  and  dii 
cussed  the  propositions  therein  laid  down.  His  reply  was  subsequentl 
sent  and  will  be  found  among  other  consular  letters.  He  stated  tlu 
some  of  the  emigrants  took  money  from  there,  as  he  frequently  issue 
drafts  on  I^ew  York  for  them,  he  being  a  banker. 

Marcus  Feingold,  butcher-  aged  50;  married;  eight  children,  and  lu 
lived  in  Moscow  twenty  years ;  doing  a  fair  business,  profits  averagin 
100  rubles  per  month;  attended  to  his  business  as  usual,  until  last  Fi 
day,  August  20,  when  the  j^olice  called  on  him,  compelled  him  to  sig 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     55 

the  ^'voluntary  agreement"  to  leave  within  six  months,  the  document 
being  dated  back  so  that  one  month  of  the  time  allowed  had  already 
passed  before  notification.  This  man  was  present  at  the  '^  oblava"  of 
last  spring,  was  arrested  and  put  into  the  dark  room  already  described, 
men  and  women  together,  his  own  niece  among  the  number.  He  paid 
25  rubles  to  the  police,  and  with  his  family  was  permitted  to  return 
home.  The  first  raid  was  made  at  midnight,  and  for  some  time  after 
people  would  leave  their  homes  about  that  hour  and  walk  the  streets  for 
the  rest  of  the  night,  returning  in  the  morning.  Eaids  were  made  after- 
ward, but  usually  about  5  in  the  morning,  in  order  to  secure  those  who 
were  absent  during  the  night.  On  the  night  in  question  men,  women, 
and  children  fled  from  their  homes  and  wandered  about  the  streets 
scantily  clad,  shivering  in  the  cold  April  weather,  not  knowing  where 

-to  go.  ^'My  wife  is  a  farmer's  daughter  and  understands  that  business, 
and  if  we  could  get  land  somewhere  we  would  farm  it  and  earn  our 
bread,  anywhere  where  we  can  live  unmolested."  He  closed  by  saying: 
^'I  am  not  afraid  of  work,  but  here  it  is  no  use;  I  do  not  know  where  to 
go — I  am  a  wanderer." 

Mr.  Goldberg,  a  leather  merchant  for  twenty  years:  married,  and  lived 
in  Moscow  twenty-three  years;  has  nine  children,  the  eldest  a  son  19  years 
old;  has  eighty  liussian  employes  in  his  factory;  yearly  business 
amounts  to  150,000  rubles.  His  leather  is  much  sought  after  in  Ham- 
burg and  other  parts  of  Germany,  having  a  large  trade  there.  He  was 
going  on  with  his  business  as  u.sual  when,  on  August  20,  he  was  ordered 
to  sign  the  ''voluntary  agreement"  and  leave  the  city  within  one  year. 
Is  a  merchant  of  the  second  guild;  pays  a  tax  of  300  rubles,  which  he 
paid  tiie  first  of  the  year.  His  factory  cost  him  15,000  rubles,  and  as  it 
can  not  be  readily  transferrd  it  will  be  practically  a  total  sacrifice,  be- 
sides the  loss  of  business  and  annual  income.  The  banks  refuse  credit, 
and  former  associates  will  no  longer  have  business  relations  with  him, 
"because  I  am  an  outcast."  "My  credit  has  been  excellent  until  now, 
but  it  is  gone,  as  no  one  knows  what  orders  from  the  police  may  come. 
My  record  and  character  are  good,  as  my  testimonials  from  business  as- 
sociates show,  but  these  are  of  no  use  as  against  an  order  from  the  po- 
lice." 

A  firm  named  #  *  *  ^  three  brothers,  manufacturers  of  buttons, 
thimbles,  and  steel  implements,  came  here  with  parents  twenty- two 
years  ago.  The  manufactory  which  they  now  run. has  been  doing  busi- 
ness regularly  for  fifty-four  years,  they  following  their  father,  who  pur- 
chased it  from  a  predecessor.  They  employ  about  one  hundred  work- 
men, all  Russians;  ann^jal  business  amounts  to  80,000  rubles.  Their 
business  relations  have  always  been  of  the  best,  and  their  patrons  have 
been  chiefly  Russians,  who  now  give  them  letters  of  recommendation 
and  exx)ressions  of  regret  that  they  must  leave  the  business.  Cost  of 
the  manufactory  was  25,000  rubles,  and  as  yet  they  have  found  no  one 
who  will  take  the  establishment  ofl*  their  hands,  as  they  are  the  inven- 
tors of  some  of  the  specialties  they  manufacture,  and  can  not  so  readily 
transfer  the  business  to  others.  They  are  merchants  of  the  second 
gnild,  and  besides  the  regular  tax,  as  such,  they  pay  an  "irregular  tax" 
of  250  rubles  more.  They  are  ordered  to  leave  in  July,  1892.  They 
intend  to  ])etition  the  Government  for  permission  to  remain,  as  they  are 
the  only  manufacturers  of  this  kind  here,  but  they  have  faint  hope  that 

I  the  Government  will  leave  them  unmolested.  Their  record  is  a  good 
one,  and  some  of  their  friends  have  advised  them  to  change  their 

'  religion  and  remain.    The  officials  told  them  if  they  entered  the  ortho- 

I  dox  church  they  might  stay,  and  they  would  be  pleased  to  help  them  in 


56      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

aTiy  way  tliey  can.  Tlieir  credit,  wWcli  lias  been  unquestioned  hereto 
tore,  is  ruined.  Asked  whether  they  had  ever  spoken  against  the  orthc 
dox  church  or  conversed  with  the  Eussian  workmen  upon  religion 
matters,  they  answered,  on  the  contrary  they  are  quite  indilil'erent  abou 
such  things.  They  have  always  observed  the  numerous  holidays  of  th 
orthodox  church,  permitting  their  enjployes  to  go  to  their  churches  an« 
perform  their  religious  duties.  They  frequently  contributed  mone> 
when  asked,  for  the  orthodox  church.  They  do  not  know  where  to  g 
if  they  are  forced  to  leave.  They  were  born  in  Libau  and  have  a  prac 
tical  education,  are  fine-looking,  intelligent  gentlemen,  and  appeared  t 
us  as  if  they  would  be  desirable  additions  to  any  country. 

MyerAbrahamson,  watchmaker ;  aged  40;  Avife  and  two  daughters;  ha 
resided  in  Moscow  twelve  years;  has  been  exi^elled,  to  leave  within  si 
mouths;  lived  in  Moscow  under  the  right  of  an  artisan  up  to  the  tim 
of  the  July  edict,  where  he  maintained  himself  comfortably;  desired  t 
go  to  America,  where  ''I  can  earn  a  living  in  peace."  He  has  closed  hi 
shoi-)  and  is  without  means  to  purchase  tickets  for  himself  a^id  family 
He  said  it  was  imi30ssible  for  him  to  maiutain  his  family  within  th 
Pale,  as  there  are  already  too  many  of  his  trade  there.  He  has  ser\  e« 
his  time  in  the  army  and  his  pass^^ort  entitled  him  to  remain  here,  lii 
children  are  now  learning  English,  in  order  that  they  may  be  able  t 
understand  and  speak  the  language  of  their  new  home.  His  wife  wa 
pregnant  and  very  near  her  confinement,  and  because  of  that  he  mad 
an  application  for  delay,  which  he  secured  until  the  birth  of  his  child 
but  the  next  day  after  the  child  was  born  he  was  ordered  away,  to  go  a 
once.    He  expects  to  go  to  the  Argentine. 

Berke  Kurtschik,  baker;  aged  27 ;  married ;  three  children ;  served  fiv 
years  in  the  army,  from  which  he  was  discharged  three  years  ago.  H 
was  at  work  in  a  bakery  for  Schuerkegrad,  who  has  also  been  ordered 
to  leaA e  before  November.  He  has  lived  in  Moscow  eighteen  yeais 
says  he  is  not  afraid  of  work,  and  does  not  care  what  he  does  so  Ion 
as  it  enables  hinj  honestly  to  earn  his  bread.  He  owes  his  landlord 
with  wliom  he  had  lived  as  tenant  for  twelve  years,  two  months'  rent 
Being  unable  to  pay  it,  his  hmdloid  obtained  a  writ  and  ejected  hii 
from  the  house,  i)nttii)g  his  furniture  into  the  street  last  Friday.  Sine 
then  he  has  had  no  home.  His  wife  is  far  advanced  in  pregnancy 
The  committee  gave  him  two  tickets  to  Orcha,  the  first  railroad  statio 
within  the  Pale. 

Simon  Ellenson,  hatmaker;  aged  45;  wife  and  two  children;  twentj 
five  years  in  Moscow;  is  going  to  the  Argentine  Republic  with  his  famij 
to  cultivate  the  soil.  His  passport  exjured  S^'pteinber  19, 1891,  and  h 
has  made  an  application  to  have  it  renewed,  but  knows  that  it  will  no 
be,  and  therefore  is  trying  to  make  arrangements  to  get  away. 

Chain  Kinderman,  tailor,  has  been  ordered  away,  and  his  busines 
is  utterly  destroyed;  he  is  destitute,  and  has  not  been  able  to  earu 
penny  for  months.  He  has  seven  members  in  the  family,  and  applie. 
for  tickets  for  the  Argentine  Republic.  The  committee  informed  Lii 
he  must  wait  a  few  days  until  they  can  ascertaiii  what  their  finance 
will  permit  them  to  do. 

Jankel  Kleinerman,  tailor;  married;  one  daughter;  thirteen  years  i 
Moscow;  always  earned  a  comfortable  living  until  his  business  was  ca 
stroyed.  Applied  to  coumiittee  for  assistance,  and  they  gave  him  tw 
tickets  for  Orcha. 

Nochin  Haiser,  50  years  of  age,  has  had  a  factory  for  making  cigai 
ette  holders,  which  business  has  been  ruined.  Has  six  months  to  stay 
he  does  not  want  money,  simply  advice,  as  he  does  not  know  what  t 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     57 

do,  but  desires  to  go  to  the  Argentine  Eepublic.  He  has  a  daughter  in 
America,  and  has  two  other  children,  boys,  one  18  the  other  12,  with 
whom  he  wants  to  go  to  same  place  where  they  can  earn  an  honest 
living. 

Dara  Jonathaiison,  midwife;  three  children;  husband  in  ^STew  York 
City,  on  Fift}^- eighth  street.  She  has  a  legal  right  to  live  here  because 
of  her  profession,  but  her  practice  has  been  destroyed  by  the  driving 
out  of  her  clients. 

Dr.  B.,  31  years  old,  lived  in  Moscow  twelve  years;  employed  to  visit 
sick  Jews  confined  at  home.  His  statistics  show  a  decrease  of  the  num- 
ber of  sick  Jews,  which  he  explained  by  saying  that  it  is  owing  to  the 
fact  that  se  many  have  been  expelled.  He  has  frequently  been  applied 
to  to  furnish  certificates  that  persons  were  too  ill  to  be  safely  removed, 
but  his  certificate  carries  with  it  little  weight  at  headquarters,  because 
he  is  a  Jew. 

The  following  figures  indicate  the  extent  of  the  exodus  and  refer  to 
cheap  dinners,  from  6  to  18  kopecks  (3  to  9  cents),  furnished  by  the 
Jewish  Aid  Society: 

1891. 

Janiiarv 3,  461 

February 3,203 

March 2.960 

April* 8,400 

May 1,472 

June 1,.  655 

A.  B.,  manufactuier  and  dealer  in  gentlemen's  and  ladies' clothing, 
born  in  Courland,  40  years  old,  twenty-five  years  in  Moscow,  emi)]oys 
60  workmen  directly  in  his  establishments  and  about  250  who  take 
work  home.  Nearly  all  of  his  emj)loyes  are  Kussians.  He  has  lived 
here  under  the  right  of  an  artisan  and  under  the  right  conferred  by 
circular  30  of  1880.  He  has  been  notified  to  leave  and  is  granted  12 
months  to  close  up  his  affairs.  This  long  time  is  given  because  of  his 
[large  business  relations  involving  extended  transactions  with  Russians. 
Annual  sales  about  300,000  rubles;  has  invested  between  60,000  and 
70,000  rubles.  The  building  in  which  he  .transacts  business  and  man- 
ufactures goods  belongs  to  the  Russian  church,  for  which  he  pays  7,000 
rubles  annual  rent.  He  has  19  agents  selling  his  goods.  He  has 
!  offered  his  business  for  sale  and  received  an  offer  of  30  per  cent  for  his 
goods  and  800  rubles  for  furniture  of  ofi&ce,  machinery,  etc.,  which  cost 
8,000  rubles.  He  was  sent  for  by  chief  of  police,  Gen.  Yourkoffsky,  to 
whom  he  said  that  he  would  agree  to  discontinue  his  business  if  i>er- 
mitted  to  live  here  simply  as  a  private  citizen.  This  was  denied,  with 
■  the  information  that  if  he  discontinued  business,  notice  would  be  sent 
to  the  board  of  artisans  to  strike  his  name  from  the  rolls  as  per  the 
following  order: 

Ministry  of  the  Interior, 
Office  of  the  Chief  of  Police, 

Passport  Section , ,  1801. 

To  the  Chief  Officer  of  the  3d  Police  Division  of  the  Tirverskoy  Section  : 
I  hereby  order  your  nobility  to  declare  to  the  Jew,  A.  B.,  who  lives  in  your  division 
.  and  is  born  in  the  town  of  *  *  *  (a  town  in  the  Volga  Province),  that  his  peti- 
tion to  permit  him  to  reside  longer  in  Moscow  can  not  be  granted  because  it  lacks 
a  legal  foundation  according  to  circular  30  of  1880  of  the  ministry  of  the  interior. 
That  the  petitioner  is  permitted  to  reside  in  Moscow  as  an  artisan  until  expelled  ac- 
cording to  the  order  of  the  28th  March  this  year.     After  A.  B.  closes  his  establish- 

*  I'igures  for  April  are  swelled  by  the  large  number  of  Jewish  soldiers  who  availed 
themselves  of  the  society's  work  during  the  Passover. 


58      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

ment,  then  the  board  of  artisans  must  advertise  the  fact  and  exclude  him  liom  the 
artisan  guild.  After  receiving  notice  of  exclusion  this  Jew  will  be  expelled  from 
Moscow  within  the  period  of  one  month  and  his  departure  shall  be  reported  to  me. 

YOURKOFFSKY, 

Chief  Police  Office?-  of  Moscow. 

After  this  the  circular  of  July  14  was  issued,  and  this  took  away 
from  him  the  last  hope  of  being  permitted  to  stay.  He  has  a  wife  and 
four  children  all  born  in  Moscow,  expects  to  go  the  United  States  and 
engage  in  business.  It  has  cost  him  about  500  rubles  annually  to  remain 
"on  good  terms  with  the  police."  Policemen  go  into  his  place,  order 
clothing  and  promise  to  pay,  which  they  never  do,  and  he  dare  not  Usk 
payment.  We  visited  his  store  and  found  a  very  large  and  elegant 
establishment,  well  stocked,  although  many  of  his  goods  are  now  at  the 
Nishni-Novgorod  fair,  which  is  annually  held  for  a  period  of  two  months. 

Many  more  cases  could  be  cited  of  people  who  clamored  for  help  at 
the  himds  of  the  committee.  Their  appeals  and  importunities  for 
tickets,  advice,  anything  to  aid  them  in  getting  away  from  the  dreadful 
police  espionage  and  the  dreaded  6tape  which  stares  them  in  the  face 
if  they  can  not  in  some  way  raise  the  money  to  leave  when  ordered. 
Nearly  all  of  them  are  artisans  or  have  been  business  men  of  some  kind, 
and  in  general  their  appearance  indicates  industry  and  character.  All 
told  the  same  story :  the  tailor,  whose  customers  have  left ;  the  butcher, 
whose  business  has  been  ruined  because  of  the  exodus;  old  men,  women, 
and  childreii^ importuning  the  committee  to  give  heed  to  their  cries  and 
help  them  to  get  away  from  their  surroundings,  any  place  being  better 
than  here,  where  they  are  living  in  constant  terror  of  persecution. 
Homes  are  destroyed,  business  ruined,  families  separated,  all  claiming 
that  they  are  not  criminals  except  that  they  are  charged  with  being 
Jews  5  all  expressing  a  Avillingness  and  anxiety  to  work,  begging  for 
the  ox)portunity  to  begin  life  somewhere,  where  they  do  not  know  nor 
do  they  care.  The  overpowering  desire  on  the  part  of  all  of  them  is  to 
get  away  from  here,  whether  it  is  to  America,  Brazil,  Africa,  or  the  Ar- 
gentine Eepublic. 

"marina  roschcha"  (Mary's  wood). 

Shortly  after  the  raid  upon  the  Jewish  quarter,  already  related,  a  simi- 
lar descent  was  made  on  the  Jews  living  outside  of  the  city  line  of  Mos- 
cow, at  a  place  known  as  "Marina  Koschcha."  This  place  a  few  years 
ago  was  a  forest  or  grove,  which  was  cleared,  streets  laid  out,  and  houses 
built  by  Russians  for  poor  Jews,  and  for  those  who  felt  the  pressure  of 
tlie  exactions  of  the  Moscow  police  as  a  greater  financial  burden  than 
they  could  carry.  These  houses  were  all  inhabited,  but  at  present 
the  most  of  them  are  empty,  a  few  having  been  occupied  since  the  raid 
by  the  poorer  classes  of  Russians  and  some  Jews.  We  visited  this 
quarter  and  found  a  little  village  which  presented  evidence  of  former 
thrift  and  neatness,  but  now  was  in  a  sadly  dilapidated  condition.  We 
called  at  the  house  of  one  Lebidoff,  a  Russian,  who  owns  a  two-story 
wood  building,  the  upper  part  consisting  of  one  room  divided  by  thin 
partitions  into  four  small  rooms  occupied  by  Jews.  Among  them  we 
found  one  Samuel  Grozoftsky,  30  years  old,  wife  and  two  small  children, 
born  in  Minsk,  has  been  seventeen  years  in  Moscow,  the  last  four  of 
which  he  lived  at  ^'  Marina  Roschcha."  He  is  a  manufacturer  of  buttons; 
employed  20  or  30  hands,  all  Russians  but  one.  His  patrons  were  Rus- 
sian shopkeepers ;  annual  sales  10,000  to  12,000  rubles.  He  was  ex- 
pelled from  Moscow  four  years  ago,  charged  with  having  secretly 
hax'bored  a  Jew  assistant,  Samuel  Itin.    The  assistant  had  a  right  to 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     59 

eside  in  Moscow,  but  failed  to  have  his  certificate  from  rhe  board  of 
rtisans  renewed,  which  had  expiied  three  days  before.    The  cost  of  re- 
lewal  was  3  rubles,  but  unless  accompanied  by  bribe  money  even  in 
hose  days  these  certificates  were  usually  refused  upon  the  ground  that 
he  applicant  was  not  a  competent  artisan.    The  employer  was  obliged 
0  pay  for  his  own  reneAval  75  rubles.     The  assistant  was  confined  in 
he  ''Outchastok"  three  days  and  ordered  to  be  sent  per  etape  to  Mo- 
dlev.    At  the  end  of  three  days  he  was  sent  to  the  prison  already  re- 
erred  to,  where  he  would  have  been  detained  a  long  time  waiting  the 
aaking  up  of  a  convoy.     The  employer  bribed  the  official  with  20  rubles 
,nd  succeeded  in  sending  him  away  within  the  week,  for  which  he  was 
med  5  rubles  for  rendering  aid  to  an  assistant  and  expelled  fi^om  the 
ity.    The  machinery  in  his  establishment,  Avhich  cost  him  7,000  rubles, 
le  sold  for  200  as  scrap  iron,  and  then  took  emi^loyment  as  a  clerk  with 
,  Jewish  merchant  named  Ginsberg  and  was  permitted  to  live  in 
•Marina  Eoschcha''  by  maintaining  ^'  good  terms  with  the  police.^^    The 
It.  Lebidoff  referred  to  has  six  houses  at  this  place,  contain  lag  four- 
een  separate  lodging  compartments,  which,  before  March  1891,  were 
11  occupied  by  Jews.    Ten  of  these  are  now  vacant.    A 11  the  Jews 
ivhig  in  these  houses  must  leave  before  November. 
;  Aaron  Gowrowitsch,  of  Broggin,  Minsk  Gubernium,  G4  years  old,  lived 
a  Moscow  eleven  years,  wife  and  five  chilren  and  four  orX)han  children 
»elonging  to  his  brother;  made  his  living  by  selling  goods  on  com- 
aission,  his  family  remaining  in  the  pale,  to  whom  he  senc  from  100  to 
50  rubles  monthly  for  support.     He  has  lived  in  this  suburb  three 
"tuonths  (for  two  months  before  he  came  here  he  Avas frequently  compelled 
;jo  sleep  in  the  streets,  sometimes  receiving  shelter  from  i'riends  who 
'Jvould  take  the  risk).     He  was  arrested,  fined,  and  ordered  to  be  sent 
\hy  etape.     He  had  with  him  100  rubles  and  40  ko])ecks;  he  divided  the 
00  rubles  between  the  pristav  (head  official)  and  his  three  assistants, 
'lor  which  they  sent  him  under  guard  to  the  railroad  station,  where 
lome  friends  paid  his  passage  to  a  town  called  Viasma,  on  the  Smolen- 
ky  Railroad,  where  he  borrowed  means  from  friends  and  returned  to 
jloscow  to  close  up  his  business  afi'airs.     He  has  succeeded  in  collecting 
Ibout  3,000  rubles,  and  intends  to  go  to  the  United  States  with  his 
ikmily  in  a  short  time.     He  is  an  intelligent,  respectable  appearing  man, 
•Ivell  preser\ed  for  his  age.    Two  of  his  boys  are  students  at  the  gym- 
s  lasium  in  the  pale.     Two  of  the  nights  when  he  was  homeless  he  was  per- 
>  flitted  to  sleep  -upon  some  damp  clothes  in  a  laundry,  for  which  the 
I'.ind -hearted  Kussian  proprietor  appropriated  his  shirts,  eight  in  uum- 
1  >er. 

V  Mrs.  Denia  Ohaskin  related  to  us  a  story  of  the  case  of  Mrs.  Epstein, 
1  rho  was  living  at  "Mariana  Koschcha"  at  tlie  time  of  the  police  raid 
Mpon  this  quarter.  In  the  darkness  Mrs.  Epstein  was  separated  from 
rtier  husband  and  child  and  fied  to  a  neighboring  Christian  cemetery, 
eVhere  she  was  I'ound  in  the  morning  by  her  mother,  unconscious,  and 
\b  child  to  which  she  had  given  birth  during  the  night  lying  by  her  side 
iilold  in  death.  The  woman  is  now  in  Mohilev  and  the  husband  in 
e'Vilna,  an-anging  to  go  to  the  United  States.  The  name  of  the  father 
i.|'f  the  woman  is  Solomon  Ohainwein,  now  in  Warsaw. 

i{  Much  of  the  furniture  that  was  tumbled  in  the  streets  at  the  time 
.;rf  the  raid  was  left,  because  it  could  not  be  sold.     Chairs  costing  3  or  4 

V  ubles  were  offered  at  5  or  10  kopecks  (from  3  to  5  cents).  Mr.  Gowro- 
^.ii'itsch  is  Tiow  burning  his  furniture  instead  of  wood. 

V  Pozia,  daugliter  of  Benjamin  Farber,  born  in  Mohilev,  53  years  of 
0  ge,  eight  children,  two  married.    Has  lived  in  Moscow  nine  yeais;  has 


bO  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.- 

an  establisliment  for  manufacturing  sMrts.  Last  February  two  Jews, 
acquaintances,  came  to  the  city  and  remained  at  lier  house  over  night. 
One  of  them  came  to  visit  his  son,  a  student  of  pharmacy,  and  the  other, 
an  old  man  who  was  sick,  came  to  consult  a  physician.  About  2  o'clock  j 
in  the  morning  two  detectives  came  into  the  house  to  search  for  somei 
person,  who  was  not  found;  but  they  arrested  the  two  people  mentioned, 
took  them  to  the  police  station,  Avher^  they  remained  one  day  and  then 
were  ordered  to  leave  town  in  twenty-four  hours,  which  they  did.  She 
was  arrested  afterwards  and  imprisoned  for  seven  days,  confined  with 
drunkards  and  vagabonds  and  not  permitted  to  see  her  children  who 
came  to  visit  her  and  had  permission  to  do  so  from  the  authorities,  which 
the  underlings  refused.  She  has  been  ordered  out  and  has  lour  months 
to  wind  up  her  business  in.  She  dare  not  return  to  her  native  place, 
as  her  relatives  write  her  that  there  is  no  work  for  her  and  people  are 
star\ing.  She  desires  to  go  to  America,  where  she  hopes  to  find  em- 
l)loyment,  her  children  all  being  able  and  willing  to  work. 

E.  F.,  48  years  old,  born  in  Courland,  lived  twenty-two  years  in  Mos- 
cow; is  an  assistant  to  a  merchant  of  the  first  guild  and  a  tradesman 
dealing  in  trimmings;  annual  sales  400,000  rubles;  employs  four  clerks 
and  is  doing  a  good  business.  He  was  requested  to  sign  the  usual 
"voluntary  agreement,''  to  which  he  objected,  saying  he  had  not  re- 
quested to  be  expelled  and  break  up  his  business  and  sacrifice  his' 
position;  that  he  did  not  want  to  sign  an  agreement  purporting  to  be; 
voluntary  when  in  fact  it  was  a  matter  of  force.  To  which  the  officerj 
replied  that  signing  the  agreement  would  secure  for  him  six  months 
grace  instead  of  forty-eight  hours.  Seeing  the  force  of  this  argument' 
he  signed  the  "voluntary  agreement."  His  household  eftects  cost  him 
over  7,000  rubles,  for  which  he  expects  about  700.  H  e  hopes  to  arrange 
with  some  Christian  friend  to  assume  charge  of  his  business,  and  intends 
to  move  to  Dresden,  awaiting  developments,  returning  here  once  a  year 
secretly.  He  has  a  son  23  years  of  age.  Two  years  ago  he  was  re- 
quested to  report  for  military  service,  but  was  found  deficient  in  chest 
measurement  and  Avas  temporarily  rejected,  to  report  a  year  after  foi' 
measurement  and  to  ascertain  Avhether  he  had  improved  sufficiently  to 
come  uf)  to  the  required  standard. 

The  next  year  he  was  remeasured  and  again  found  to  be  deficient, 
and,  as  he  is  a  Jew,  he  was  sent  to  the  station  house  in  charge  of  the 
police  to  be  returned  per  etai^e  to  the  Courland  (rubernium.  Upon 
receiving  information  of  the  son's  detention,  his  father  arranged  to  put 
himself  on  good  terms  with  the  i)olice  and  i)rocured  the  son's  release. 
These  "good  terms"  secured  for  him  at  the  time  of  the  April  raid  a 
previous  notice  that  his  son  must  not  be  there  that  night,  and  he  was 
therefore  hidden  and  not  found.  He  must  again  report  for  examination 
in  November.  He  desires  to  send  the  boy  to  America.  Asked  Avhethei 
he  intended  to  send  him  there  before  examination,  he  replied  "  'No,  thati 
would  be  improper;  but,  if  again  rejected,  I  will  send  him  there."  The 
young  man  is  a  bookkeeper,  and  has  been  also  a  salesman  of  iron  pip 
ing  and  fittings,  speaks  French,  German,  Eussian,  and  is  now  studying 
English. 

Cohn,  merchant  of  the  first  guild,  living  at  Yoronegh,  in  the 

interior  of  Russia.  He  has  in  his  possession  a  certificate  given  by  the 
guild,  dated  28th  day  of  December,  1890.  He  was  twice  at  Moscow' 
during  1891,  viz,  on  January  9  and  March  16,  but,  as  he  came  the  third 
time,  July  13,  1891,  he  was  ordered  to  leave  within  twenty-four  hours, 
which  he  was  compelled  to  do  without  finishing  the  business  that' 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     61 

brouglit  him.    Ou  his  certificate  is  printed  the  following  extract  from 
the  laAV : 

According  to  article  4  of  the  regulations  of  tlie  state  council,  sanctioned  by  the 
Emperor  January  1,  18G3,  the  present  certificate  is  completely  like  a  passport,  and 
the  x>erson  furnished  with  such  certificate  is  not  obliged  to  have  any  other  docu- 
ment, and  has  the  right  to  reside  in  all  the  Empire. 

PEK  ETAPE. 

G.  D.,  single,  aged  26,  born  in  Moscow,  formerlylived  in  Wilna,  where 
he  is  registered,  that  being  his  parents'  legal  residence.  His  father  lived 
here  as  the  representative  of  a  merchant  of  the  first  gnild  nntil  his 
death  three  years  ago.  His  mother  will  be  sent  out  in  September  with 
four  young  children,  notwithatandmg  that  she  has  lived  in  Moscow 
nearly  twenty-seven  years  and  that  all  of  her  children  were  born  here. 
He  is  a  broker ;  has  not  yet  received  a  notice  to  leave,  but  expects  it 
daily.  Last  March  he  went  to  St.  Petersburg  to  visit  a  friend  on  busi- 
ness-, and  at  the  hotel  he  was  informed  that  his  passport  was  not  sufli- 
cieiit,  but  that  he  could  stay  two  or  three  days. 

The  second  day  after  arrival  tlie  clerk  of  the  hotel  informed  him  that 
he  could  not  remain  in  the  hotel  that  night,  as  they  expected  a  night 
police  inspection.  He,  therefore,  left  the  hotel  and  was  immediately 
^1  accosted  by  two  detectives  in  citizens'  clothes,  Avho  said  to  him,  '^  You 
A  are  already  here  a  coux)]e  of  days  from  Moscow."  He  said,  ^'  I  came 
,^i  yesterday  and  have  my  passport."  They  said,  '^We  know  you  came 
,([  yesterday,  but  you  did  not  report  yourself  yesterday."  They  then 
gji  arrested  hi  in,  took  away  his  pass|)ort,  marched  him  to  the  police  station, 
i  and  from  there  to  the  district  station,  where  they  took  from  him  his 
\l  money  (about  100  rubles),  his  watch,  and  scarf  \)m.  He  sle])t  on  the 
(j!  floor  with  drunkards,  vagabonds,  and  criminals,  numbering  fifteen,  all 
men.  His  rations  were  bread  and  cold  cabbage.  He  was  taken  to  police 
headquarters  next  day,  a  rigorous  examination  held  to  see  if  he  was 
cliarged  with  any  violation  of  the  law,  and  nothing  being  found  he  was 
j,  discharged;  nevertheless  he  was  conducted  to  another  department, 
I  the  official  in  charge  greeting  him  with  "  Here  is  another  dog-faced 
j!»lew."  He  was  taken  to  a  room  and  locked  in,  where  he  stayed 
j  half  an  hour.  The  policeman  then  took  him  to  the  place  where  he 
Ij,;  originally  came  from,  where  he  was  again  confined  five  days,  then 
jj,  taken  to  tlie  prison  in  Demidoff  street,  Avhere  they  took  away  his 
^  clothing,  exchanged  it  for  prison  garb,  and  confined  him  with  about 
J  forty  men  in  a  large  room,  among  them  two  Jews.  Six  or  seven  of 
,',  them  were  criminals,  convicted  of  arson,  theft,  and  murder,  destined 
'p  for  Siberia.  Those  destined  for  Siberia  had  half  the  hair  shaved  off 
^j.the  head.  They  greeted  him  with  the  remark,  '^Henj  we  have  another 
j|l  companion."  There  he  remained  two  weeks,  during  which  time  pris- 
ijt  oners  were  received  and  removed.  They  were  finally  taken  by  rail  (a 
^  party  of  310)  in  three  coaches  to  Wilna,  where  his  clothes  were  restored 
„i  to  him.  His  money,  watch,  and  j)in  w^ere  received  about  three  months 
'!  after.  They  were  marched  through  the  streets  to  the  station  under 
J.  strong  guard  and  all  handcuffed  except  himself,  as  he  had  promised  the 
j^,  guard  to  pay  handsomely  for  the  privilege  of  going  unchained.  The 
,^  two  Jews  referred  to  were  handcuffed.  An  allowance  of  10  kopecks  (5 
I  cents)  per  day  is  made  to  those  who  are  marched  by  etape,  for  food, 
J  "one-half  of  which  it  is  wise  to  give  to  the  guard."  From  St.  Peters- 
^[burg  they  were  taken  to  Dunerberg,  where  they  were  confined  for  two 
'  days;  then  from  place  to  place  and  finally  to  Dizua,  where  they  found 
H.  JEx.  37 40 


G2      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

fclie  river  closed  with  ice,  and  delayed  because  the  convoy  wliich  was 
expected  to  meet  them  there  could  not  reach  them.  They  then  took 
them  to  Eodozk,  in  the  province  of  Vitebsk,  Avhere  lie  was  conlined  in 
prison  for  two  Aveeks.  Here  he  received  3  rnbles  from  a  friend,  tAvo  of 
which  ''  I  fonnd  it  would  be  quite  proper  to  give  to  the  guard."  From 
this  place  he  Avas  taken  by  soldiers,,  per  etape,  with  50  others,  and 
returned  to  Dizna,  and  here  Avas  notified  that  the  charge  against  him 
Avas  that  of  not  presenting  his  passx)ort  in  St.  Petersburg  at  the  i)roper 
time.  He  was  then  discharged  and  returned  to  Moscow,  where  he  has 
been  since.  He  is  an  intelligent  gentleman,  well  educated,  and  maidy 
in  appearance. 

At  Minsk  we  met  another  case  of  etape  by  name  of  Max  LcAin, 
whose  statement  is  as  folloAvs:  Dyer  and  cleaner  of  clothing,  aged  43; 
married;  no  children;  born  in  Courland*;  lived  in  Moscow  seven  and  a 
half  years  under  an  artisan's  certificate.  He  is  a  very  pleasant,  briglit- 
appearing  man,  and  said  he  has  never  performed  heavy  manual  labor. 
In  Moscow  he  made  200  rubles  per  month  and  employed  two  men  as 
assistants.  He  was  '^on  good  terms  with  the  police;"  that  is  he  made 
their  clothes  and  cleaned  them  without  compensation.  They  never  paid 
and  he  dared  not  ask.  He  received  orders  to  leave  in  twenty-four  hours. 
He  could  not  arrange  his  matters  to  leave  on  such  short  notice,  and  be- 
lieving that  a  few  days  would  make  no  difference  in  his  case,  did  not 
go  and  was  arrested  at  his  house.  Tliej^  took  him  to  the  station,  where 
he  was  kept  one  day;  then  to  the  police  station  of  the  district,  Avhere 
he  remained  three  days ;  then  to  the  prison  in  Moscoav,  where  he  re- 
mained one  month,  and  finally  to  Kovna  by  etape,  where  he  was  released. 
There  were  about  200  expelled  Jews  who  Avere  sent  by  etape,  all  con- 
fined in  one  room  in  the  prison.  They  were  marched  to  the  station 
under  guard,  some  of  them  handcuffed  to  criminals;  were  put  in  cars 
with  criminals  and  sent,  first  to  Bobrusk,  where  they  were  confined  in 
prison  for  about  ten  days  awaiting  another  convoy.  Sixty  or  seventy 
were  taken  to  Minsk,  all  handcuffed.  He  was  handcuffed  to  some  per- 
son who  was  being  sent  for  trial  on  a  criminal  charge.  From  Minsk  to 
Kovno  he  was  permitted  to  travel  without  handcuffs,  having  cultiA^ated 
^^  good  terms"  with  the  guards  by  paying  them  money.  Some  of  these 
peoi)le  had  families  with  them,  the  children  and  Avomen  taken  together 
with  their  handcuffed  fathers  in  the  same  party.  There  Avere  a  number 
in  that  etape  party  for  various  small  places  in  the  gubernium  of  Kovno. 
When  he  reached  Kovno,  5:30  p.  m.,  he  was  taken  to  the  station  house, 
kept  there  until  morning,  when  his  Avife  met  him,  and  after  the  formali- 
ties of  release  were  gone  through  he  was  told  to  get  out.  After  this  he 
returned  to  Moscow,  taking  the  risk,  in  order  to  dispose  of  his  effects. 
He  stayed  there  two  and  a  half  days,  eluding  the  police,  sleeping  one 
night  Avith  a  friend  and  the  next  in  the  park.  Such  articles  as  he 
could  handle  he  brought  away  Avith  him,  the  rest  he  abandoned.  He 
owed  nothing  when  he  left  Moscow  to  anybody  there,  but  various  per 
sons  owed  him  which  he  was  not  able  to  collect.  When  arrested  lie 
had  about  150  rubles,  Avith  which  he  bought  provisions  on  the  way, 
leaving  his  alloAvance  of  10  kopecks  per  day  Avhen  traveling  by  etape 
Avith  the  guard.  He  expects  to  be  compelled  to  do  laborer's  Avork  in 
Minsk  and  thought  the  opportunities  would  be  better  than  in  KoAmo 
but  his  chief  reason  for  coming  Avas,  that  he  is  not  known  here  and  ii 
compelled  to  do  laborer's  work  preferred  to  do  it  AA^here  his  changed 
condition  in  life  was  unknown.  He  has  been  here  six  weeks  and  lives 
in  one  room,  for  Avhich  he  pays  5  rubles  per  month.    Has  had  altogether 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     63 

about  one  week's  work  at  50  koj^ecks  (25  cents)  per  day,  laboring  with 
a  shovel,  repairing  and  leveling  streets.  Tlie  day's  work  begins  at  5 
and  ends  at  7.  His  wife  expects  to  be  confined  in  three  months.  Has 
pawned  several  articles  and  sold  his  wife's  gold  watch,  bracelets,  and 
rings  for  board. 

PaAvn  tickets  were  exhibited  corroborating  the  statement,  bearing 
upon  them  the  interest  rate,  which  is  1^  per  cent  per  month.  This 
pawn  shop  is  a  city  institution  established  under  governmental  rides, 
the  exact  title  being  "Minsk  City  Lombard  (Eussian  pawn  shop),"  tlie 
profits  of  which  go  to  the  city.  The  tickets  are  signed  by  "Diiector 
Krifosheim." 

TREATMENT   OF    OLD   SOLDIERS. 

Norduch  Zaretski,  school  teacher;  aged  53;  married;  two  sons  (arti- 
sans) and  two  danghters;  has  lived  here  seventeen  j^ears.  His  pass- 
port entitles  him  to  reside  at  Moscow  until  June,  1892,  but  last  Sunday 
he  was  sent  for  to  come  to  i)ohce  headquarters  to  sign  the  usual  ''vol- 
untary agreement"  to  leave  the  city  witliin  two  months.  This  man  was 
among  tliose  who  were  arrested  in  the  "oblava"  last  April.  He  was 
not  permitted  to  fully  clothe  himself  or  even  get  Ids  passport  from  Ids 
coat,  but  was  taken  from  his  home  and  imt  into  a  dark  room  witli  niju^ty- 
four  others.  The  ''room  was  very  small  and  tlie  air  terrible,  and  in  this 
room  we  were  kept  without  food  or  water  for  thirty-six  hours."  After 
the  expiration  of  that  time  he  was  permitted  to  go  out,  change  his  cloth- 
ing and  get  his  passport,  when  he  was  released,  remaining  unmolested 
until  last  Siinday.  His  son  is  a  soldier  and  finished  his  five  years'  serv- 
ice in  the  army  in  188G,  but  must  now  serve  annually  three  weeks  in 
camp.  This  last  servicte  he  performed  not  long  iigo,  and  after  com- 
pleting it  was  immediately  arrested  "because  he  is  a  Jew"  and  "ordered 
to  leave  this  idace  forthwith."  He  asked  for  a  few  days  res])ite  to  sell 
his  household  eft'ects,  but  was  refused.  His  passport  w^as  taken  away 
and  he  is  now  a  wanderer  in  hiding  and  in  a  sense  a  beggar.  He  said 
he  had  never  been  arrested  for  any  crime,  never  received  imblic  aid, 
i  and  had  always  earned  his  living.  The  father  is  nmintaining  the  family 
of  the  soJdier,  consisting  of  a  wife  and  three  cldldren. 

Ohazkel  Friedman,  born  in  Riazan  in  the  interior  (not  in  the  Pale) ;  son 
of  a  soldier  of  Nicholas  I ;  20  years  of  age.    This  man  has,  or  had,  a  three- 
fold right  of  residence  outside  of  the  Pale:  1st,  he  is  the  son  of  a  Nich- 
olas soldier  (these  have  been  excepted);  2d,  born  of  a  citizen  outside 
the  Pale;  3d,  an  artisan,  excex)ted  by  edict.     He  was  brought  here  when 
3  years  old  and  has  lived  here  seventeen  years.     Is  a  mechanic,  and 
'•t  has  a  certificate  to  that  effect.     On  the  2d  clay  of  August  his  i)assp<)rt 
'^1  was  indorsed  by  the  police  officer  of  his  district  that  he  must  leave  the 
'*j|  city  within  twenty-four  hours.     [The  passport,  also  that  of  his  brother, 
^  will  be'found  on  i^p.  167, 1C8.]     The  brother  of  this  young  man,  named 
'h  Yankel,  aged  18,  had  a  passport  Avhich  reads  that  he  "is  allowed  to 
■^  reside  in  the  different  gubernia,  etc.,  time  expiring   Sei)tember  20, 
%  1891.    Then  it  was  afterwards  indorsed,  "  This  passport  is  in  force 
!*;' where  Jews  are  permitted  to  live,"  and  on  August  15,  1801,  again  in- 
'"udorsed,  "The  Jew  Friedman  is  ordered  to  leave  Moscow  within  twenty- 
''|four  hours,"  the  indorsements  being  within  the  time  originally  granted. 
1^  The  father  appealed  to  the  police  authorities  to  grant  his  son  a  few  days 
to  make  preparations,  which  was  refused,  with  the  answer  that  if  he 
wivs  found  in  his  house  or  in  his  care,  he,  the  son,  would  be  sent  by  etape. 
lie  has  hidden  in  various  places  since  and  is  hiding  until  he  can  be  sent 
away  by  means  collected  from  the  committee  or  other  benevolent  peo- 


64  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

pie.  A  respectable  gentleman  who  has  known  this  joung  man  six 
years  vouched  for  his  character  to  us  and  further  says  he  is  an  excel- 
lent mechanic  and  draftsman  and  has  a  good  common-school  education. 

A  gentleman  of  the  highest  respectability  and  a  man  of  wealth  as- 
sured us  that  he  has  a  i^ersonal  knowledge  of  a  great  many  such  cases, 
but  notwithstanding  they  are  born  out  of  the  Pale  and  therefore  have 
the  right  to  live  anywhere,  and  that  they  are  sons  of  Nicholas  soldiers 
who  also  have  such  legal  rights  of  residence,  are  summarily  expelled. 

A  Mr.  R.,  of  Wilna,  told  us  of  the  case  of  a  soldier  whom  he  knew, 
wounded  at  Plevna  in  1887,  his  arm  having  been  badly  shattered  and 
who  was  also  severely  wounded  in  the  head.  From  these  wounds  he 
was  in  the  hospital  nine  months  and  then  discharged.  He  was  a  black- 
smith before  entering  the  army  and  upon  discharge  returned  to  Mitau, 
where  for  a  long  time  he  had  been  garrisoned.  He  was  unable  by 
reason  of  his  wounds  to  pursue  his  former  occupation,  so  he  managed 
to  gain  a  precarious  living  by  picking  ux)  rags.  He  was  ordered  away 
by  the  police  as  he  was  registered  in  Kovno  gubernium.  A  collection 
was  taken  up  by  the  rabbi  to  send  the  old  soldier  by  railroad  in  order 
to  avoid  the  dreaded  etape  in  the  company  of  criminals. 

Another  Avas  the  case  of  a  soldier,  Eosenfeld,  who  lost  his  leg  in  the 
battle  of  Achal-Teke,  in  Skobeleff's  army,  who,  after  treatment  in  the 
hospital,  Avas  discliarged  and  ordered  away  by  the  police  to  his  place 
of  registration.  He  was  obliged  to  beg  money  from  house  to  house  in 
order  to  go  by  rail  and  avoid  the  etape. 

Rifka  Schumacher,  23  years  old,  presented  herself  before  the  com- 
mittee, bearing  in  her  arms  an  infant  2  months  of  age.  Her  husband 
was  in  the  military  service,  his  time  expiring  in  four  days.  He  has  been 
ordered  into  the  pale  upon  expiration  of  his  term.  She  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  a  Nicholas  soldier,  but  her  right  of  residence  in  the  interior  fol- 
lows the  husband,  and  therefore  must  go  from  Moscow  when  he  leaves. 
The  husband  will  be  furnished  with  transportation  to  his  home  by  the 
Government,  but  she  nuist  provide  her  own  or  go  by  etape.  Her  husband 
is  a  shoemaker  and  has  earned  a  little  money  at  that  trade  Avhen  off 
duty,  with  which  he  assisted  in  suj^porting  his  wife,  his  pay  as  a  Rus- 
sian soldier  being  jnactically  nothing  over  and  above  his  rations  and 
clothing — about  35  kopecks  (17  cents)  per  month.  The  wife's  father, 
as  a  Nicholas  soldier,  was  registered  at  St.  Petersburg,  but  being  in 
Moscow  at  work  he  was  ordered  to  his  ])]ace  of  registration,  to  leave 
within  three  days.  The  committee  gave  her  a  railroad  ticket  so  that 
she  can  go  with  her  husband  to  Brest.  This  poor  woman  in  her  ap- 
pearance presented  a  most  touching  and  i^itiable  spectacle. 

Abus  Gentler,  68  years  of  age,  entered  the  military  service  November 
14,  181G,  and  was  discharged  November  20, 18G4;  is  a  Nicholas  soldier, 
and  has  a  bronze  medal  for  services  in  the  Crimean  war  and  a  chevron 
for  fifteen  years'  faithful  service.  After  his  disc^harge  he  went  to 
Odessa,  where  he  lived  until  last  year,  then  to  Astrakhan.  He  is  a 
barber  by  trade  and  about  six  Aveeks  ago  went  to  Nishni-NoA^gorod, 
Avhere  the  annual  fair  is  in  x)i ogress,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  work 
at  his  trade,  but  finding  none  he  came  to  Moscow  yesterday.  He 
stopped  at  a  lodging  house,  surrendered  his  discharge  from  the  army 
(which  is  his  passport)  to  the  police,  Avho  indorsed  it  as  folio avs: 

Stamp.     442-91.     1891,  August  14-26.     City  Police  Plouse  No.  7-9 .  [Name  of  f  p 

house  owner] ,    [Name  of  street] —.    Received  and  entered.     Signed  by 

Pristav,  police  officer. 

Alongside  the  above  indorsement,  which  is  equivalent  to  a  permit  toj 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      65 

stay  licie  indefinitely,  tliere  appears  under  the  date  of  the  day  fol- 
lowing: 

The  Jew  Gentler  is  obliged  to  leave  Moscow  within  twenty-four  hours,  for  the 
reason  that  he  has  no  document  giving  him  the  right  to  live  in  Moscow. 
August  15-27,  1891. 
(Signed:)  Prist  av.* 

Notwithstanding  this  man  had  the  right  to  live  as  a  Nicholas  soldier, 
which  was  properly  and  promptly  recognized  when  his  documents  were 
first  sent  in,  tlie  i)ermit  was  annulled  and,  instead,  he  received  per- 
emptory orders  to  leave  Avithin  twenty-four  hoiu-s.  A  certificate  of  dis- 
charge as  a  Nicholas  soUlier  constitutes  a  passport  for  that  class,  and 
the  document  bears  the  proper  certificate  of  the  chief  of  police  of 
Odesssa. 

David  Samsonoff,  a  Nicholas  soldier,  served  twenty  years  in  the  army, 
70  years  of  age,  claims  that  he  was  baptized  into  the  Greek  cliurch 
against  his  will,  and  afterwards  marrying  a  Jewish  woman,  Avas  arrested, 
but  acquitted  on  account  of  his  statement  that  he  was  so  baptized. 
Notwithstanding  his  right  of  residence  as  a  Ni(;holas  soldier  he  has 
been  ordered  out.     He  desires  to  go  to  the  Argentine  Kepublic. 

One  old  man  wrinkled  and  bent  with  age  came  forward  with  the  doc- 
uments to  prove  that  he  was  a  Nicholas  soldier  and  had  served  liis 
country  twenty-live  years,  has  lived  in  Moscow  with  his  cnildren  in 
comfort  for  a  long  time,  but  has  been  ordered  out  to  leave  within  twenty- 
four  hours.  Where  to  go,  how  to  get  away,  wiiat  to  do  when  he  gets 
away  are  questions  he  said  "I  can  not  answer."  The  tears  streamed 
down  the  old  man's  cheeks  as  he  begged  for  some  means  to  get  aw^ay 
and  advice  wliere  to  go.  lie  re])eatedly  expressed  tlie  wisli  tliat  he 
might  die  now  and  be  reh'eved  from  the  misery  that  confronted  him. 
The  old  veteran  said  that  he  was  turned  away  from  his  home,  his 
country,  and  his  children  at  the  very  end  of  Jife;  that  he  had  never 
cominitted  a  crime,  never  been  a  pauper,  and  has  done  nothing  to  be 
exi)atriated  for,  to  be  a  wanderer  on  the  lace  of  the  earth,  except  tliat 
he  is  a  Jew^,  and  notwithstanding  that  he  had  defended  his  country, 
and  the  ])ow  crs  that  now  cast  him  out  as  a  vagabond  and  tram}),  lie 
presented  a  j)icture  not  readily  forgotten  as  it  show^ed  a  startling  con- 
trast in  the  treatment  of  this  old  soldier  and  that  accorded  to  the  sol- 
diers of  our  country. 

The  foregoing  are  by  no  means  all  the  cases  of  which  Ave  took  notes; 
they  could  be  multiplied  by  the  score,  if  time  permitted  or  necessity 
suggested.    They  are  not  selected  because  they  are  extreme — but  are 
related  here  in  nearly  the  same  order  as  we  obtained  them,  and  fol- 
loAv  closely  the  notes  taken  at  the  time,  the  only  variation  being  in 
,i  their  arrangement.     We  present  these  cases  in  detail  to  illustrate  the 
;  fact  that  the  pressure  is  general  and  forces  out  the  rich  as  Avell  as  the 
[;  poor — those   Avho  liaA^e  or  had  the  right  of  residence  legally  and  by 
I    invitation,  asAvellas  those  wiio  presumed  upon  the  toleration  of  former 
^1  years,  those  Avho  because  they  are  Jcavs  are  first  deprived  of  their  pass- 
"■  ports,  arrested  for  not  having  them,  confined  in  prison  to  be  sent  in 
t'liains  per  etape — as  well  as  soldiers  who  have  been  decorated  for  faith- 
ful service  to  their  country,  and  who  in  their  old  age,  instead  of  receiv- 
ing pensions  are  separated  from  their  children,  and  ordered  into  the 
i'ale,  Avhere  only  the  strongest  and  most  vigorous  can  hope  for  exist- 
ence.   In  their  general  characteristics  the  cases  cited  are  similar,  reveal- 


i 


*  Name  not  decipherable. 
H.  Ex.  235 5 


G6  ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

ing  a  state  of  terror  and  uncertaiiiity,  paralyzing'  business  and  furnisli- 
ing  abundant  cause  for  inciting  emigration  wliicli,  as  has  already  been 
stated,  could  be  largely  stopped  by  relieving  the  pressure. 

MINSK,    WITHIN  THE   PALI?   OF   THE  JEWISH   SETTLEMENT. 

On  the  29th  day  of  August  we  left  Moscow  reaching  Minsk  on  Sun- 
day morning,  August  30.  Minsk  is  a  city  of  68,000  inhabitants  in  the 
Gubernium  of  Minsk,  and  is  within  the  pale  where  Jews  are  permitted 
to  live  under  certain  restrictions,  which  will  be  referred  to  later  on. 
We  followed  the  same  general  plan  of  interviewing  individuals  and  ob- 
taining statements,  notes  of  which  taken  at  the  time,  and  in  as  con- 
densed form  as  x)ossible  are  herewith  x)resented. 

F.  G.,  merchant  of  the  second  guild,  contractor  for  building  and  re- 
pairing Government  buildings.  The  terms  of  his  contracts  forbid  him  to 
employ  any  but  Kussian  workmen.  As  a  merchant  of  the  second  guild 
he  has  a  right  to  visit  the  interior  and  stay  there  not  longer  than  two 
months  each  year.  Notwithstanding  this,  and  the  fact  that  he  Avas  em- 
ployed by  the  Government,  to  do  its  work,  some  time  ago  he  went  to  St. 
Petersburg  on  business  and  was  ordered  to  leave  within  three  days. 
Also,  while  in  Kiev  he  was  notified  to  leave  a  certain  street  from  which 
the  Jews  are  expelled.  About  a  year  ago  he  entered  into  a  contract 
with  the  Government  to  repair  and  rebuild  a  prison  within  the  pale, 
the  contract  amounting  to  the  sum  of  80,000  rubles,  and  which  w^as  ap- 
proved by  the  ministry  of  the  interior.  This  contract  also  required 
him  to  employ  only  workmen  from  the  interior  (outside  of  the  Pale). 
The  same  conditions  were  required  in  a  smaller  contract  involving  3,000 
rubles  for  rex)airing  a  gymnasium  and  academy.  The  terms  excluding 
local  workmen  are  however,  because  of  necessity,  permitted  to  be 
avoided  by  and  through  the  x^ersonal  instructions  from  the  local  com- 
missioners in  charge,  because  Eussian  workmen  are  not  qualified  to  do 
tlie  work  in  some  of  the  branches,  and  in  others  are  so  inferior  that  it  is 
unwise  to  make  use  of  them.  The  gymnasium  referred  to  was  built  by 
this  gentleman  about  eleveii  years  ago  for  60,000  rubles.  There  were 
then  no  such  conditions  attached  to  his  contract.  Although  it  was  Sun- 
day, tlie  Jewish  artisans  who  observe  Saturday  as  their  day  of  rest 
were  at  work  on  the  gymnasium  referred  to.  We  saw  a  sample  of  Eus- 
sian bricklayers  work  in  the  wall  of  an  English  basement ;  the  courses 
w^ere  irregular  and  the  Avail  was  about  two  inches  out  of  line.  The 
workmanship  was  extremely  crude  and  would  not  be  tolerated  by  the 
workmen  of  any  other  country  visited.  [We  were  satisfied  that  this 
Avas  the  Avork  of  Eussian  bricklayers  as  they  were  not  at  work  on  Sun- 
day.] 

We  then  Aasited  a  quarter  of  the  city  Avhere  the  Jews  congregate  for 
the  purpose  of  obtaining  employment,  a  sort  of  market  square.  There 
were  hundreds  of  men,  Avomen,  and  children  of  all  ages  and  in  every 
condition  of  poverty  and  wretcliedness;  young,  stalwart  fellows,  and 
people  bent  Avith  age,  all  anxious  and  many  grouped  and  in  earnest 
and  anxious  couA^ersation.  Some  were  in  rooms  with  doors  open,  and 
as  the  houses  are  built  close  to  the  very  narroAv  Avalks,  the  whole  in- 
terior could  be  i)laiiily  seen.  It  was  toAvard  the  close  of  the  day,  and 
Ave  could  see  the  evening  meal  spread  upon  the  tables,  consisting  gen- 
erally of  black  rye  bread  and  Avater.  Most  of  these  were  people  Avho 
had  formerly  lived  in  the  interior  and  had  been  driven  into  the  Pale. 
Tlic  important  question  witli  them  is  how  to  obtain  even  this  bitter, 
black  bread,  which  constitutes  their  main  sustenance.     Many  of  them 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     67 

were  bronglit  liere  by  etape,  and  therefore  had  no  clothing  except  that 
which  they  carried  on  their  backs,  and  most  of  them  Avithout  money  to 
buy  ck)tlnng.  Most  of  the  children  had  but  a  single  garment,  and  all 
of  them  were  in  a  condition  of  depression  and  ai>parent  hopelessness. 
There  was  an  entire  absence  of  intoxication,  and  we  may  say  here  that 
the  Jew  is  singularly  free  from  this  vice;  not  a  single  case  of  intoxica- 
tion among  Jews  was  noticed  an;y^^here  in  Russia.  Conversation  with 
some  of  them  disclosed  the  fact  that  the  principal  questions  discussed 
are,  "  What  shall  we  do,  and  where  shall  we  go  to  get  bread?"  for  antici- 
pation of  the  terrors  of  approaching  winter  and  the  certainty  of  starva- 
tion, which  they  see  no  means  of  averting,  aggravate  the  present  misery. 
Willing  and  able  to  work,  they  are  unable  to  obtain  it;  forbidden  to 
work  outside  the  city,  forbidden  to  trade  in  the  country,  unable  to  leave 
the  precincts  where  they  now  are,  excluded  from  governmental  work,  it 
is  no  wonder  they  wish  to  fly  somewhere  where  they  can  breathe  and 
have  an  equal  chance  in  the  struggle  for  existence.  The  only  thing 
which  prevents  them  from  going  en  masse  to  other  countries  is  their 
poverty. 

August  31. — Gabrielowich  Farmacent,  an  apothecary,  has  been  here 
twenty-two  years.    He  said: 

Many  of  those  who  have  been  expelled  from  the  interior  come  here  and  over- 
crowd the  labor  market,  compelJiug  nnmbcrs  already  here  to  leave  for  Africa,  Aus- 
tralia, Palestine,  Argentine,  and  America — most  of  them  to  America. 

Many  of  the  latter  receive  money  from  their  friends  who  have  pre- 
ceded tliem  to  our  country.     He  said  that  it  was  simply  a  question  of 
emigration  or  starvation.     The  Jews  have  no  right  to  garden  outside 
the  city;  they  may  walk  or  ride  outside  the  limits,  but  can  not  trade 
nor  transact  business  there.     Distress  has  grown  beyond  description 
since  last  March,  and  the  committees  organized  to  reheve  it  can  only 
aid  the  extreme  cases,  such  aid  consisting,  when  in  money,  of  from 
15  kopecks  (7 J  cents)  to  2 J  rubles  (about  $1.25)  per  week,  and  embrac- 
ing those  who  are  temi)orarily  in  distress  to  tlie  extreme  cases,  and 
those  who  are  helpless  from  blindness  or  other  serious  physical  defects. 
Some  are  furnished  from  5  to  10  pounds  of  bread  per  week. 
Carpenters  receive  according  to  the  season  from  4  to  8  rubles  ($2  to 
'  $4)  per  week  when  emjdoyed,  which  in  the  long  winter,  ranging  from 
^  six  to  eight  montlis,  is  rare.     Stonemasons  receive  from  6  to  1)  rubles 
'i  per  week  in  summer,  no  work  in  winter.     Brickmasons  receive  5  to  7 
^[rubles  per  week  for  about  four  months  in  the  year,  no  work  in  winter. 
;;i  Printers  receive  5  to  8  rubles  per  week.    Laborers,  50  to  GO  kopecks  (25 
^'  to  30  cents)  per  day,  no  work  in  Avinter.    At  a  building  visited  where 
;  wood  carvers  were  at  work  we  found  one  receiving  5  and  one  7  rubles 
I  per  week.     Their  workmanship  was  first-class.    Each  one  had  a  brother 
^,'iu  America,  one  a  carpenter  in  New  York  earning  $15  per  week  and 
'ii  the  other  in  San  Francisco  earning  $12  jier  week. 

,'      At  a  farm  or  large  garden  plat  adjacent  to  the  gymnasium  we  saw  a 

;  Jew  and  his  family  who  were  living  in  a  sort  of  kennel  crudely  built  of 

';. boards  leaning  against  a  fence.     Part  of  the  interior  was  floored  with 

boards  and  used  for  sleeping  purposes.     A  person  could  not  stand  up- 

,; right  in  it  and  there  seemed  to  be  room  only  for  three  persons  to  lie 

r  down,  although  they  lived  there  with  fivecUildren,  the  youngest  a  babe 

Y'in  arms  which  was  scantily  clad  Avith  a  single  garment,  a  rough  chemise 

'  I  made  of  coarse  material.    At  another  garden  two  Jewish  women  lived, 

selling  fruit  for  a  living,  and  except  that  the  quarters  were  a  little 

larger  the  conditions  were  the  same. 

We  next  visited  the  Elementary  Peoi)le's  School  and  Handworker 


68      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Classes  for  Jewisb  cliildreii.  The  attendance  at  this  school  numbered 
120  boys,  mostly  orphans,  who  at  present  are  supported  by  friends  at 
their  homes.  It  was  expected  that  arrangements  would  be  made  to 
feed  and  house  them  on  the  premises.  They  are  instructed  in  black- 
smithing,  machinist  and  carpenter  work,  and  specimens  exhibited 
were  most  creditable.  The  curriculum  of  the  school  proper  is  pre- 
scribed by  the  Kussian  authorities.  After  finishing  their  schooling, 
most  of  the  graduates  have  heretofore  gone  into  the  interior  to  work  as 
artisans,  but  this  they  can  no  longer  do.  Nearly  all  are  learning  the 
]i:nglish  language  privately,  that  language  not  being  among  those  pre- 
scribed. Some  of  them  have  gone  to  America,  and  all  of  them  look 
upon  our  country  as  the  haven  of  rest  and  refuge  from  persecution;] 
hence  their  desire  to  learn  our  language.  Russian  school  teachers  are 
exempt  irom  military  duty,  but  not  Jewish  instructors.  This  school  re- 
ceived honorable  mention  at  the  exposition  in  St.  Petersburg  in  1890 
for  the  excellence  of  its  work.  It  is  supported  entirely  by  the  Jewish 
community  at  a  cost  of  between  7,000  and  8,000  rubles  per  year.  The 
scholars  are  small,  and  as  we  found  them  at  wjrk  at  the  shops  when 
we  visited  appeared  to  be  fond  of  their  tasks,  industrious,  and  anxious 
to  improve.  The  pressure  upon  the  committee  for  admission  from 
people  who  liave  been  expelled  from  the  interior  has  largely  increased 
since  the  expulsion  edicts. 

Schmerks,  son  of  Itzko  Lessnik,  33  years  of  age,  watchmaker,  borr 
in  Minsk,  lived  in  Moscow  nine  years.  Went  there  in  accordance  with 
the  invitation  of  the  Government  circular  inviting  artisans  to  the  inte 
rior.  He  had  a  X)roper  certificate  from  the  b')ard  of  artisans  here,  and 
after  examination  in  Moscow  received  the  certificate  of  the  Moscow 
board  to  the  effect  that  he  was  a  competent  artisan.  This  certificate 
entitled  him  to  live  in  Moscow  one  year  and  required  annual  renewal 
His  trade  was  ruined  because  his  friends  and  patrons  were  being  ex 
pelled,  and  he  returned  to  his  birthplace,  Minsk,  where,  owing  to  tin 
severe  comx)etition,  he  found  it  impossible  to  make  a  living.  Work  thai 
is  worth  a  ruble  he  is  glad  to  get  30  koi)ecks  for.  Has  wife  and  foui 
children,  and  Avould  be  glad  to  till  the  soil  if  he  had  the  opportunity 
He  claims  to  be  a  competent  jeweler,  having  learned  the  trade  from  hi 
father.  During  his  three  months'  residence  in  Minsk  he  has  not  beei 
able  to  pay  his  rent,  which  for  his  store  and  dwelling  amounts  to  30( 
rubles  per  annum.  Watchmakers'  wages  are  about  10  rubles  per  month 
The  man  was  well  dressed,  cleanly,  and  had  every  appearance  of  bein| 
sober  and  industrious,  and  is  intelligent. 

Gertz  Bruk,  47  years  of  age,  married,  eleven  children,  born  in  a  littL 
town  in  the  gubernium  of  Minsk,  is  a  picture-frame  maker  and  gilder 
In  1866  he  went  to  Moscow  in  accordance  with  the  invitation  of  1865 
and  enrolled  there  as  an  artisan  under  the  law.  He  was  married  there 
and  all  of  his  children  were  born  in  Moscow,  where  he  made  a  comforta 
ble  living,  having  ten  to  twelve  workmen  in  his  employ,  his  incom) 
ranging  from  4,000  to  5,000  rubles  per  year.  All  of  his  children  recei  ve( 
a  ''peoples'  school"  education  except  one  daughter  who  is  a  graduati 
of  the  gymnasium,  from  which  institution  she  received  a  diploma  enti 
tling  her  to  remain  in  Moscow  as  a  teacher.  His  rent  for  store  at  Mos 
cow  was  2,500  rubles  x)er  annum.  He  left  Moscow  May  15,  1891.  H 
was  given  till  the  4th  of  October  to  close  uj)  his  business  and  leave.  H< 
contracted  his  business,  put  his  wife  in  charge,  and  came  to  Minsk  t< 
seek  work.  His  furniture,  machinery,  etc.,  cost  9,000  rubles,  for  whicl 
he  was  offered  before  leaving  2,000  rubles.  He  can  not  now  get  thi 
price  and  has  written  his  wife  to  sell  for  what  she  can  get.    He  brougL 


,|       ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     69 

i  igome  of  liis  pictures  and  opened  a  store,  paying  100  rubles  for  three 
I  imonths'  rent,  and  put  up  the  sign  "Brought  from  Moscow."  He  then 
:«imade  appUcation  to  the  governor  of  the  province  for  permission  to  sell 
V  pictures,  which  business  requires  the  approval  of  the  censor,  and  as  the 
i  board  of  censors  are  at  Moscow  it  would  take  nearly  a  year  to  comply 
fr  with  the  formalities  andobtainthenecessary  certificate  and  permission. 
;  He  therefore  made  application  and  opened  his  business,  but  after  run- 
mning  one  week  was  stopped  by  the  police  and  closed  up  because  he  had 
^1  not  yet  received  permission  to  go  on.  His  daughter,  who  sold  statiou- 
-  ery  in  connection  with  the  business,  is  permitted  to  continue  this  work 
i  at  present,  but  this  is  of  little  value.  He  was  thirteen  years  in  one 
j;  place  in  Moscow,  doing  well,  but  here  he  can  not  make  a  living,  and  his 
1  intention  is  to  save  what  he  can  from  the  wreck  and  go  to  America. 
e  Khe  can  sell  before  October  4  he  will  take  his  family  Avith  him;  if  not, 

I  he  and  his  eldest  son  will  go  alone  and  send  for  the  family  later. 

«i  Wolf  Paleisch,  55  years  of  age,  teacher,  lived  in  Moscow  thirteen  years ; 
unborn  in  ^linsk.  Taught  »Jewish  cliildren  in  artisan  school  at  Moscow. 
-[^Before  this  he  was  employed  at  Minsk  as  teacher  in  the  high  school. 
li  Was  ordered  out  on  two  Aveeks'  notice.  Has  been  unable  to  find  any- 
iii  thing  to  do,  and  has  been  living  upon  his  savings. 

I I  Sarah- Debora  Fodiman,  38  years  of  age,  mariied;  nine  children. 

i  Husband  has  been  in  America  one  year;  has  sent  her  30  rubles  and 
1 1  two  tickets  for  his  10  and  18  year  old  daughters  to  come  to  him.  They 
i  I  sailed  about  two  Aveeks  ago.  Husband  is  a  baker,  and  had  his  own 
^i  bakery  here,  but  found  it  impossible  to  get  a  living.  After  the  Jews 
Iff  were  driven  into  the  Pale  he  could  not  earn  more  than  8  rubles  per 
.1 J  week,  com])etition  being  so  great,  and  tliis  compelled  him  to  leave. 
;^  Before  her  marriage  she  made  artificial  flowers  for  bonnets,  at  which 
il  she  earned  1^  rubles  per  week,  but  no^Y  she  can  not  get  any  work  at 

I  that.  A  friend  in  America  who  is  engaged  m  that  business  wrote  her 
IP  that  she  was  earning  810  per  Aveek,  and  asked  her  to  come,  AAiiich  she 
ir  would  do  if  she  had  the  money.  She  has  received  some  assistance  from 
n  charitable  people,  and  has  been  able  to  barely  support  herself  and 
r  family.  She  has  the  appearance  of  being  truthful,  but  her  condition 
j  J  shoAved  poA^erty. 

4:  In  the  afternoon  we  left  Minsk  and  droA^e  to  SamokA^alovich,  a  small 
ijtj  toAvnlet  18  Axn-sts  (12  miles)  distant.  This  place  contains  from  50  to  60 
Ij.  Jew  families  and  10  Christian  families,  and  is  a  place  where  Jews  may 
i^j  yet  live.  They  are  still  permitted  to  liA^e  in  toAvns  and  toAvidets  AAithin 
(  the  Pale,  but  not  in  villages.  The  term  "  village"  does  not  necessarily 
l/i  have  reference  to  the  number  of  population,  the  designation  being  ar- 
.h  bitrarily  made  by  the  authorifies;  hence  viUages  from  Avhich  the  Jcavs 
■,),\  are  excluded  may  be  larger  in  i)()pulation  than  toAvns  or  toAvnlets.     We 

II  drove  to  this  place  by  post  carriage  to  Avhich  was  hitched  four  horses 
fi  abreast.  At  first  this  extra  locomotive  poAver  seemed  to  us  to  be  a  use- 
^i  less  extravagance,  but  shortly  after  crossing  the  city  line  Ave  appreci- 
4]  ated  the  wisdom  Avhich  suggested  four  horses  to  carry  our  party  of  four. 
|j(  Although  it  AA'as  in  the  month  of  August,  and  the  roads  perfectly  dry, 
J .  they  Avere  so  rutted  and  in  such  terrible  condition  that  the  necessity 
jij  for  this  additional  force  became  plainly  apparent,  and  our  chanfes  of 
gji  reaching  destination  and  a  reasonably  prompt  return  seemed  to  depend 
g/i  upon  the  durability  of  the  harness  and  endurance  of  the  driA^er  inply- 
t^i  ing  his  Avhip. 

,.  I  .  About  8  A^ersts  from  Minsk  we  reached  a  village  from  which  Jews 
,j(i  are  excluded  under  the  May  laws,  but  Avhich  permits  those  to  remain 
I    who  had  settled  there  i)rior  to  1882.     We  found  two  Jewish  families  of 


70      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

tliis  class  who  liacl  not  yet  been  ordered  out  by  the  anthorities,  witl    ^ 
wbom  they  were  '^on  good  terms."     One  of  them  has  kept  since  Jun«|flit 
an  apology  for  an  inn,  consisting  of  a  low  one-story  bnilding,  with  ban 
and  sheds  attached,  the  only  se])aratiou  being  a  door.     A  brick  flu' 
abont  six  feet  Avide,  bnilt  halfway  around  the  main  room,  on  top  o 
which  beds  are  made  for  sleeping  purposes,  was  the  principal  featur« 
of  the  institution.     As  we  entered  tlie  place  the  crowing  of  coc^ks  nnde: 
one  table  and  loud  conversation  on  the  part  of  four  Eussians  w-ho  wer< 
seated  at  another  ])laying  cards  and  drinking,  and  who  showed  th( 
effects  of  the  fluid,  greeted  us.     For  the  building  in  question  and  1( 
dissiatinas  of  land  (about  20  acres)  the  proprietor  is  obliged  to  pay  ai 
annual  rental  of  1,000  rubles.     For  license  to  sell  spirits  and  sinal 
drinks  he  pays  150  rubles  annually.     The  license  is  in  the  name  of  it) 
neighboring  nobleman,  who  figures  as  the  nominal  landlord,  Jews  noi 
being  permitted  to  sell  liquor.     As  the  nobleman  can  not  be  expectec 
to  take  charge  of  the  establishment  in  person,  a  ^'Christian  assistant 'jyni 
supplies  the  defect.     This  functionary  is  the  autocrat  of  the  establish!  m 
ment,  who  does  nothing,  but  is  necessarily  supported  by  tlie  actual  pro- 
prietor.    He  can  not  be  trusted  to  go  to  the  cellar  for  liquor,  ever 
should  he  be  so  disposed,  because  of  his  propensity  to  drink  it.     Cladi 
in  his  red  shirt,  which  is  worn  as  an  outer  garment,  extending  to  the 
tops  of  long  Kussian  boots,  he  stands  about  from  morning  till  night, 
and  is  the  real  beneficiary  of  the  institution,  the  proprietor  being  iii 
constant  dread  of  him.     For  his  services  he  receives  100  rubles  per  an-i 
num  and  board.     The  amount  x)aid  as  annual  rent  for  the  proijcrty  isi 
about  equal  to  the  total  value  of  the  land  and  buildings. 

We  walked  down  into  a  fiekl  a  little  distance,  where  we  found  15  Eus-i 
sian  women  and  girls  cutting  oats  with  small  sickles  after  the  manner  ol 
a  thousand  years  ago.  For  this  work  they  receive  50  kopecks  (25  cents) 
per  day,  boarding  themselves.  They  were  masculine  in  appearance, 
scantily  dressed,  nearly  all  barefooted,  and  not  very  prepossessing  in 
appearance.  They  work  from  6  a.  m.  to  6  p.  m.,  with  a  short  interval 
for  dinner,  wliich  usually  consists  of  a  piece  of  black  bread.  The  Jewish 
proprietor  was  in  the  field  watching  operations  and  keeping  the  womeiii 
steadily  at  work.  Armed  with  an  old  umbrella,  he  seemed  to  be  fairly 
comfortable,  and  evidently  had  no  reason  for  emigrating. 

We  next  visited  a  Eussian  peasant's  house,  w^hich  was  pointed  out 
as  one  of  the  best  in  the  village.  A  little  cot  bed  stood  in  the  corner 
and  on  a  table  stood  the  samovar  for  making  tea.  The  universid  shrine 
was  not  lacking;  it  faced  us  on  entering  the  room  and  indicated  mem- 
bership in  the  Greek  orthodox  church.  A  few  flowers  in  the  windows 
completed  the  evidence  of  prosperity  and  somewhat  surprised  us,  be- 
ing in  marked  contrast  to  the  summer  bedroom  adjoining,  which  fur- 
nished comfortable  quarters  for  the  poultry,  and  the  drove  of  hogs  that 
were  hungrily  eating  swill  from  pails  standing  at  the  foot  of  the  little 
stoop. 

We  next  visited  a  Eussian  priest  living  in  a  house  near  by,  whose 
hand,  upon  meeting,  our  Jewish  guide  kissed,  receiving  a  return  greet- 
ing in  the  sliape  of  a  kiss  upon  the  forehead.  As  he  could  not  speak 
English  or  German,  we  carried  on  our  conversation  through  the  guide 
and  by  pantomime.  He  seemed  very  pleased  to  meet  Americans  and 
astonished  that  we  should  be  sufficiently  interested  to  visit  that  out-of- 
the-way  place.  He  was  a  tall  man  with  long,  flowing  hair  and  beard, 
bareheaded,  and  clad  in  a  long  white  robe  girdled  at  the  waist.  The 
customary  proifer  of  tea  was  made,  but  our  limited  time  did  not  permit 
us  to  a'^^jept  his  Uospitality.  The  cigarettes  which  were  insisted  on 
were  not  evaded. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      71 

We  til  en  continued  our  journey  to  a  townlet  about  10  versts  distant, 

here  Jews  were  permitted  to  live.  On  the  road  we  met  a  stout,  well- 
reserved,  pleasant-looking  Jew  leading  liis  little  daughter  by  the 
and,  and,  stoi>ping  our  carriage,  we  engaged  him  in  conversation, 
'rom  him  ^Ye  learned  that  he  was  born  there  forty  years  ago;  that  he 
urmed  40  dissiatinas  (80  acres)  of  land,  which  lay  about  us,  and  for 
^hicli  he  paid  a  yearly  rental  of  150  rubles.  This  farm  was  by  all  odds 
le  best  cultivated  we  had  seen  within  the  pale,  and  the  appearance 
f  his  crops  was  in  marked  contrast  to  others  which  had  come  under 
ur  observation.  As  tliere  were  no  schools  in  the  vicinity  we  inquired 
ow  his  children  were  educated.  He  replied, ''  I  keep  a  private  teacher 
I  the  house  to  whom  I  pay  90  rubles  per  year  and  board."  Asked 
iOW  it  was  that  he  was  permitted  to  remain  outside  the  townlet,  he 
t^plied,  "My  landlord  is  a  good  man,  and  thus  far  I  have  been  permit- 
id  to  remain;  and  as  the  i^resent  regulations  forbid  renewals  I  have 
ow  no  contract  or  lease.  1  realize  that  I  am  liable  to  be  driven  out 
t  any  time." 

We  reached  the  townlet  of  Samokvalo^ich  about  8  p.  m.  The  con- 
ition  of  affairs  as  related  to  us  were  serious  to  these  people  and  would 
ave  been  much  more  so  had  there  not  been  an  emigration  to  America. 
)uring  the  last  seven  years  thirty  families  have  gone  out  from  tliis  town- 
dt  to  Amtuica,  two  families  leaving  for  our  country  a  month  ago.     It 

IS  difficult  to  see  how  these  people  liv^e,  as  they  are  not  iiermittvd  to 
ill  the  soil  outside  the  limits  of  the  little  town,  tliere  being  only  a  small 
•atch  of  ground  connected  with  each  dwelling.  The  houses  are  low, 
ne-story  bnildings,  but  much  more  neat  in  appearance  than  those 
ccupied  by  the  llussian  families  passed  by  us  in  our  journey  out.  We 
risited  one  house,  which  was  considered  the  best  in  the  town,  consist- 
Qg  of  three  rooms,  small  but  clean,  tlie  fmnily  and  some  friends  who 
died  during  our  visit,  poorly  but  neatly  dressed,  the  children  briglit 
,nd  intelligent  in  appearance.  They  looked  u])oii  us  with  undisguised 
mnder,  and  it  was  stated  tliat  we  were  the  first  foreigners  who  had 
ver  visited  the  place.  We  examined  some  of  the  books  on  the  shelves, 
ind  found  a  copy  of  the  Bible,  an  atlas,  with  maps  of  the  globe,  a 
•"rench  reader,  and  others  printed  in  the  Russian  and  Hebrew  languages, 
.'here  Avere  some  colored  photograi)hs  upon  the  walls,  curtains  at  the 
vindows,  and  on  the  table  a  neat  handmade  openwork  spread  upon 
v^hich  we  were  served  with  excellent  garden  frnit  and  the  customary 
^lass  of  hot  tea.  Althongh  everything  indicated  extremely  limited 
neans,  yet  the  best  use  was  made  of  the  humble  furniture,  and  the 
nterior  of  the  dwelling  was  quite  homelike  in  appearance.  Here,  as 
very  where  else  in  the  Pale  visited  by  us,  the  superior  intelligence  and 
cultivation  of  the  Jew  over  the  Russian  was  plain  and  unmistakable. 

We  also  found  that  America  was  by  no  means  an  unknown  country 
0  them,  and  that  many  of  the  families  have  relatives  and  friends  in 
he  United  States.  Aside  from  a  small  i)roportion  of  Jews  who  look 
ongingly  and  hopefully  toward  Palestine  next  to  their  religion  and 
cheir  persistent  eagerness  for  education,  America  is  the  present  hope 
md  goal  of  their  ambition,  toward  which  their  gaze  is  directed  as 
arnestly  as  that  of  their  ancestors  toward  the  ])romised  land. 

One  old  man  who  had  lived  in  a  village  5  miles  distant,  before  the  May 
iws  of  1882  and  for  years  before,  and,  therefore  had  the  right  torenuiin 
mtil  he  "(changed  his  residence,"  vacated  his  house  temporarily  and 
no\-ed  across  the  street  at  the  request  of  his  landlord  avIio  desired  to 
epair  and  rebuihl  a  portion  of  it.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  repairs 
le  attempted  to  reoccupy  his  home,  but  was  refused  and  expelled  from 


1,1. 


d 


72      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

the  village,  it  being  adjudged  that  lie  liad  forfeited  liis  right  to  returr 
having  "changed  his  residence,"  and  was  therefore  without  home  o 
sleeping  place,  and  in  his  old  age  was  temporarily  sheltered  in  the  hous* 
where  we  called,  as  a  cliarity  guest.  I  J 

How  all  these  poor  people  exist  here  was  not  made  clear,  and  seeme'i 
to  be  as  much  of  a  puzzle  to  the  inhabitants  as  to  us.  This  townlet,  witl^ 
out  manufacturing  or  other  labor-hmploying  industries,  presents  i; 
itself  no  adequate  means  of  support  for  one-half  of  the  X)ermanent  poj 
ulation,  to  say  nothing  of  the  increase  that  has  already  come,  and  i 
yet  to  come,  in  consequeiice  of  the  expulsion  decrees.  Tli^  inhabitant 
are  not  permitted  to  do  any  business  outside  of  the  circumscribe! 
hmits  of  the  townlet,  and  if  found  selling  simply  fruit  or  milk  on  th 
roads  outside,  their  stock  is  seized  and  confiscated,  and  yet  in  tin 
townlet,  18  versts  from  Minsk,  are  tailors,  stonemasons,  bricklayers,  ant 
other  artisans  diiven  from  their  former  homes  under  tlie  decrees.  Th 
proprietor  of  the  house,  whom  we  have  already  cited  as  one  of  th 
most  prosperous  of  the  residents,  stated  that  he  had  agreed  upon 
lease  for  some  land  adjacent  and  outside  of  the  town,  and  liad  paid  on' 
year's  rent  in  advance,  but  under  the  new  regulations  the  lease  wa 
not  consummated,  and  although  he  hoped  to  receive  his  money  back  ii 
had  not  yet  been  returned. 

We  started  on  our  return  to  Minsk  about  10 :30  p.  m.,  and  as  th 
night  air  was  chilly  onr  kind-hearted  hostess  provided  beilquilts  am 
other  coverings  to  protect  us.  Tallow  dips  were  brcmght  out  to  se 
that  we  were  properly  started,  and  with  many  i)rayers  for  God's  bles."i 
ing  on  our  work,  by  the  family  and  assembled  friends,  our  crazy  vehici 
was  finally  put  in  motion  for  the  return  trip,  reaching  our  hotel  lon| 
after  midnight. 

iSeptember  1^  1891. — It  having  been  frequently  charged  that  »Tews  dh 
not  take  kindly  to  agriculture  we  drove  to  the  suburbs  of  Minsk,  bui 
within  the  city  limits,  to  see  the  garden  and  farm  of  a  Jew  nanie< 
Eein,  who  leases  55dissiatinas  (110  acres)  paying  an  annual  rent  of  TO' 
rubles.  They  were  engaged  in  digging  potatoes,  the  soil  being  s< 
mellow  that  potato  forks  or  hoes  were  dispensed  with,  and  the  tuber 
grubbed  out  with  the  hands  ot*  the  women  and  girls  so  emi^loyed,  fo 
which  they  received  30  koi)ecks  per  day.  A  little  13-year  old  girl  wai 
called  up,  and  after  a  few  questions  she  was  asked  to  write  her  name  i] 
a  memorandum  book,  which  she  i)iDm])tly  did  in  Hebrew,  and  ni^oi 
further  request  wrote  it  very  nicely  in  liussian.  One  of  the  workmen! 
who  received  3  rubles  per  month  and  board,  said  he  had  two  daugliter 
in  America,  one  having  gone  first,  then  the  other;  the  two  are  nov 
sending  money  to  carry  over  the  third  and  the  father.  Upon  turnin/ 
to  go  we  gave  the  father  of  the  little  girl  a  silver  coin  which  he  de 
clined,  saying  '^jSTo,  she  does  not  need  it;  give  it  to  the  poor." 

On  our  way  back  we  stoj^ped  at  a  manufactory  of  tin  and  Japanne( 
ware,  which  our  guide  was  very  anxious  to  have  us  inspect  becauS' 
of  the  excellence  of  the  work  turned  out.  Although  he  was  well  knowj 
to  the  person  in  charge,  we  were  denied  admittance,  the  door  closed 
locked,  andbolted  againstus,  and  informed  thatwe  could  not  enter  excep 
by  force.  The  explanation  of  this  conduct  was  that  we  were  suspectec 
of  being  spies  or  members  of  the  secret  police.  This  feeling  of  fear  wa 
frequently  met  with  while  in  Eussia,  and  only  when  explanations  o 
our  mission  was  furnished  and  credited  did  we  receive  frank  and  ful 
statements.  We  next  visited  a  brewery,  where  we  found  30  Jews  anc 
6  Christians  at  work,  at  wages  ranging  from  7  to  10  rubles  per  month 
with  lodging  but  without  board. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     73 

We  also  called  at  a  sewing  school  for  teacliiiig  Hebrew  girls  of  the 
ioorer  class  the  art  of  dressiiiakiug  and  ladies'  sewing  generally.  We 
nmd  seventy-five  yonng  girls  in  attendance,  and  two  Singer  sewing 
lachinesin  operation,  all  in  charge  of  a  competent  lady  snperintendent. 
hey  receive  4  rubles  for  making  a  "street  gown,"  and  about  8  rubles 
)r  an  evening  dress.  The  cost  of  running  the  institution  over  and 
bove  receipts  averages  about  2,400  rubles  per  annum.  The  contribu- 
ons  received  last  year  from  the  resident  Jewish  people  amounted  to 
,050  rubles,  the  deficiency  being  made  up  by  public  entertainments. 
.t  present  only  seven  children  Avere  boarding  there,  the  others  being 
ipported  elsewhere  by  relatives  and  friends. 

Until  recently  there  were  forty  boarders,  and  in  answer  to  our  query 
rhy  the  number  had  fallen  off,  we  received  the  usual  stereotyped  reply 
lat  the  times  are  so  much  worse  than  formerly  that  there  was  less 

ork,  while  sharp  competition  had  lowered  prices  and  contributions 
ad  fallen  oft".  The  institution  has  been  established  three  years.  The 
hildren  stay  here  two  and  one-half  years.  Several  of  the  girls  have 
one  to  America,  from  whom  they  fiequently  hear,  and  all  express 
lemselves  as  happy  and  contented,  receiving  from  $3  to  $4  per  week 
n  arrival  in  New  York,  instead  of  5  or  G  rubles  per  month  as  here. 

AVe  visited  a  tobacco  factory  employing  100  ojDeratives,  all  Jews,  who 
rork  by  the  piece,  day,  or  week;  all  were  active  and  industrious;  among 
lem  were  25  girls,  who  work  from  8  a.  m.  to  8  p.  m.,  earning  30  kopecks 
er  day.  Cigar-makers  [men]  earn  from  18  to  25  kopecks  per  hundred, 
veraging  300  cigars  per  day.  They  complain  that  work  is  scarce  and 
Tegular;  that  competition  is  much  greater  than  formerly,  owing  to  the 
ews  coming  from  the  interior;  that  sales  are  less,  and  profits  snialler. 

Later  on  we  saw  a  contract  between  the  IMoscow  and  Brest  Kailroad 
lompany  and  a  certain  restaurant  keeper  (name  omitted  for  reasons 
Iready  stated),  dated  within  the  last  year.    This  gives  the  right  to 

tablish  bufiets  at  railroad  stations.  Condition  No.  23  reads:  ''1, 
,  obligate  myself  that  under  no  circumstances  in  the 


lent  of  bullets  will  I  einph>y  Jews  or  Jewesses  as  assistants  or  serv- 
uts.*'  The  (contract  is  an  authoritative  governmental  document,  printed, 
uly  signed,  stamped,  and  sealed.  The  gentleman  who  showed  it  to  us 
peaks  a  little  Engliwsh,  beginning  the  study  of  our  language  alter  Min- 
ster Ignatiett*  promulgated  the  May  laws,  his  object  being,  he  said,  "to 
jarn  the  language  of  a  nation  where  men  are  regarded  as  human  be- 
igs." 

When  we  told  him  that  we  were  obliged  for  his  information,  he  re- 
lied: "Why,  it  is  for  us,  the  Jews,  to  thank  the  millions  of  American 
eople  and  acknowledge  their  humanity  for  interesting  themselves  siiifi- 
iently  to  inquire  into  the  condition  of  our  unfortunate  and  downtrodden 
eople." 

Among  a  number  of  those  whom  we  saw  and  talked  with,  and  whose 
tatements  were  all  of  the  same  general  character,  the  case  of  one 
^hicli  difi'ers  from  the  ordinary  is  cited;  it  speaks  for  itself  and  needs 
0  comment: 

Miss  Berlin,  a  graduate  of  the  gymnasium  here,  received  a  medal  for 
roficiency  in  1888.  Her  mother  is  a  midwife,  and  as  such  was  entitled 
3  live  outside  the  Pale,  and  has  resided  in  Moscow  for  the  last  two  or 
bree  years.  She  was  divorced  from  her  husband  and  has  resumed  her 
laiden  name.  The  daughter  was  not  permitted  to  be  inscribed  on  the 
lother's  i)assport  because  she  retained  her  father's  name,  having  no 
ight  to  assume  her  mother's  maiden  name,  and  therefore  had  not  the 
ight  to  live  at  Moscow  with  her  mother  j  but  she  earnestly  desired  to 


74     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

complete  lier  education  at  the  pedagogical  institute  at  Moscow,  wheii  s'J 
slie  liad  been  for  some  time,  and  fit  herself  for  teaching.  She  was  thert 
fore  compelled  to  live  at  the  houses  of  friends  and  relatives,  occasionall 
in  such  manner  with  her  mother,  but  not  longer  than  two  days  at  a  timi  ^^ 
in  any  one  place;  often  she  had  no  place  to  go  to,  and  wandered  abori  sii 
the  streets  all  night,  on  one  occasion  stopping  at  the  Marina  Eoschl  i^' 
(Mary's  Wood  already  described.)  0\ie  of  the  nights  when  she  was  on  thi «' 
streets  was  in  midwinter  and  another  in  the  spring  while  the  weathc  "' 
was  still  cold.  The  director  of  the  institute  endeavored  to  obtain  fc 
her  a  permit  to  stay  legally,  but  without  avail,  and  the  bribe  mone 
paid  by  the  mother  to  the  police  was  insufficient  to  secure  the  child- 
longer  stay  and  she  was  expelled.  Miss  Berlin  stated  that  there  weiP 
several  such  cases  in  the  school  which  she  knew  of,  but  the  girls  werf  1" 
reticent,  fearing  espionage  and  expulsion.  She  said  that  she  wante 
to  go  to  America,  but  has  not  the  money  to  take  her  there.  She  is 
particularly  bright,  cultivated  young  lady,  and  her  case  sharply  illui 
trates  the  merciless  administration  of  the  regulations. 


I 


WILNA. 


Ifi 


We  lett  Minsk  on  the  afternoon  of  Sej)tember  1,  reaching  Wilna  tha 
night.  This  city  is  situated  in  the  gubernium  of  Wilna  and  number 
about  115,000  inhabitants,  of  whom  50,000  to  55,000  are  Jews.  Th 
same  conditions  noticed  elsewhere  were  visible  here,  all  avocations  b( 
ing  overcrowded.  The  best  carpenters  receive  at  most  1  ruble  per  da 
in  summer  and  are  without  work  in  the  winter.  Girls  from  17  t 
20  years  of  age  employed  in  factories  receive  from  80  kopecks  to 
ruble  per  week,  the  days  ranging  from  6  a.  m.  to  6  p.  m.  Street  pa^ 
ing  is  done  by  gangs,  mostly  Kussians  and  Poles,  Avith  some  Jews.  Th 
money  earned  is  divided,  so  that  occasionally  they  make  from  1  to 
rubles  per  day.  Their  work,  however,  is  irregular,  and  sometimes  the 
are  employed  but  two  days  in  a  week,  even  in  the  summer;  in  the  wir 
ter  they  can  not  work.  Bricklayers  receive  from  1)0  kopecks  to  1 
rubles  per  day  of  thirteen  hours,  two  of  which  are  devoted  to  res 
Very  few  Jews  are  employed  at  this  trade,  because  they  are  exclude 
from  governmental  work.  Some  of  the  more  dangerous  work,  howevei 
as  on  high  buildings,  church  spiies,  etc.,  they  permit  the  Jews  to  d( 
"  because  they  are  more  competent  to  do  the  work."  Laborers  receiv 
from  40  to  50  kopecks  per  day. 

Among  others  we  met  was  Mr. ,  an  extensive  merchant  of  thi 

place.  He  stated  to  us  that  two  or  three  years  ago  his  nephew  wa 
drawn  for  military  service  and  duly  reported  for  examination  as  directec 
As  there  was  little  probability  of  his  being  reached  that  day  (his  nun 
ber  was  far  down  on  the  list)  he  asked  the  sentry  if  he  might  absen 
himself  to  get  something  to  eat,  obtained  permission  and  left  for  an  ac 
joining  restaurant.  During  his  absence  his  number  Avas  reached,  an 
failing  to  respond,  a  constable  went  after  him,  with  whom  he  returne 
and  explained  his  absence.  He  was  accepted  and  served  his  time  bu 
was  nevertheless  published  and  fined  for  failing  to  report,  the  fine  an 
publication  costing  3G0  rubles.  Bis  friends  raised  and  paid  the  mone. 
as  they  are  liable  for  such  payment.  Every  article  of  furniture  or  proj. 
erty  belonging  to  the  relatives  of  a  defaulting  conscript,  with  the  ei 
cei)tion  of  the  clothes  on  their  backs,  is  liable  to  seizure  and  sale  an 
this  oi)eration  is  repeated  from  time  to  time  until  the  Avhole  amount  i 
collected.  Formerly  penalties  were  exacted  from  remote  relatives 
nephews,  cousins,  etc, ;  now  only  parents  and  brothers  are  held  respor 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      75 

ible,  althougb  in  tlie  case  of  a  deserter  the  entire  Jewish  comrannlty 
here  lie  is  found  is  liable  for  the  penalty.  During  ojie  year  in  the 
everal  provinces  these  fines  amounted  to  nearly  2,000,000  rubles  of 
hich  there  was  collected  from  Jews  about  200,000,  and  of  this  latter 
um  14,000  rubles  were  reported  by  the  police,  the  rest  of  it  failing  to 
each  the  treasury.  This  system  of  levying  fines  is  a  source  of  consid- 
rable  revenue  to  the  police  officials,  as  they  collect  it  in  5  or  10 
uble  installments  as  fast  as  a  Jew  can  earn  it,  then  report  fi'om  time 
0  time  that  "nothing  can  be  found." 

We  here  learned  that  the  Eabbi  Counlor,  of  Libau,  had  just  passed 
hrough  Wilna  on  his  way  to  St.  Petersburg  in  obedience  to  a  resolu- 
ion  of  the  church  community  of  Libau  for  the  purpose  of  appealing  to 
he  minister  of  the  interior  for  an  extension  of  time  to  Jews  who  had 
een  ordered  out.  He  said  that  about  1,000  had  already  been  expelled, 
ut  there  are  in  addition  500  families,  nunibering  from  2,500  to  3,000 

;|ouls,  who  had  been  ordered  to  leave  before  September  1.  The  Gov- 
rnor-General  told  the  deputation  that  he  regretted  very  much  the  con- 
itions  which  existed,  but  he  was  powerless  to  avert  them,  and  added 
lat  he  thought  the  apijlication  to  the  authorities  at  St.  Petersburg  was 
imply  a  waste  of  efibrt  and  time. 

Jews  who  settled  in  Courland  before  the  year  1835  have  the  right  of 
esidence  there  as  Avell  as  their  descendants  born  there.  These  have 
ot  yet  been  ordered  away,  the  expulsion  referring  only  to  those  who 
ettled  there  since  that  date.  Libau  is  in  this  province,  just  outside 
he  Pale.  We  have,  therefore,  the  si^ectacle  of  Courland  Jews  who 
re  permitted  to  remain  because  they  were  settled  there  before  1835, 
hile  those  who  settled  in  Moscow  under  the  same  conditions  are  ex- 
elled,  both  these  places  being  outside  the  Pale.  The  reason  why  this 
(istinction  is  made  is  not  knoAvn;  their  deduction  is  that  Courland, 
eing  on  the  border,  the  pressure  is  not  so  great  because  the  conditions 
revailing  are  more  directly  exhibited  to  their  neighbors  and  the  dif- 
3rence  brought  into  plainer  contrast.  Others,  when  asked  about  this, 
all  simply  answer,  "  It  is  wSo  ordered."  This,  in  Kussia,  ends  discussion. 
The  order  or  edict  of  the  ruling  czar  supersedes  all  laws  pronuil gated 
y  his  predecessors,  may  annul  contracts  and  destroy  vested  rights, 
hey  are  often  contradictory  and  inconsistent,  and  in  (construction  it 
ometimes  happens  that  what  is  held  to  be  law  in  one  province  is  un- 
iwful  in  another. 
We  visited  the  tobacco  factory  of  Mr. ,  employing  230  Jews. 

!]j  tt  a  room  about  18  by  34  and  10  feet  high  we  counted  08  employes,  all 
iris,  ranging  from  10  to  21  years  of  age,  making  cigarettes  and  picking 

rt  Dbacco.  In  another  room  about  20  by  40,  GG  emx)loyes  were  counted, 
"he  Avages  of  those  girls  picking  tobacco  range  from  80  koi^ecks  to  2 

,Jb.bles  per  week;  the  hours  from  G  a.  m.  to  7  p.  m.  Cigarette-makers, 
y  the  piece,  earn  from  IJ  to  2  rubles  per  Aveek.  Cutters,  men,  by  piece- 
ork  make  from  4  to  5  rubles  per  Aveek.  The  work,  however,  is  irregu- 
ir  and  the  average  rate  of  Avages  is  3  to  3 J  rubles  per  week.  In  the 
rying  department  3  to  5  rubles  per  Aveek.  "  Strip])ers  and  sorters,  all 

,,  iris,  6  to  12  rubles  per  month.     Cutters,  girls,  1  ruble  75  kopecks  per 

,i  eek.  Cigar-makers,  3  to  5  rubles  per  Aveek.  The  rooms  were  dark 
nd  in  the  daytime  required  artificial  light. 

We  afterAvards  went  to  a  small  establishment  where  "uppers"  for 
idies'  shoes  are  made.  There  Avere  12  apprentices,  all  Jews,  from  15  to 
0  years  of  age,  who  received  100  rubles  Avithout  board  or  lodging  for  a 
irm  of  three  years'  apprenticeship,  or  33^  rubles  per  year.     One  3'oung 

J  lan,  the  son  of  a  teacher  noAv  dead,  Avas  among  them.  He  intends  to 
0  to  America  as  soon  as  he  can  save  money  enough  to  pay  his  fare. 


76      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Adjoining  tliis  place  tliere  is  a  small  establisliment  for  making  letter 
and  note  paper  by  hand  macbinery.  Tlie  feeder  of  tlie  machine  receives 
2  rubles  per  week,  while  his  assistant,  a  young  lad  who  furnishes  the 
motive  power,  is  paid  1  ruble  per  week.  This  boy  sends  to  his  parenls, 
who  live  about  10  miles  distant  in  a  little  town,  one-half  ruble  pei 
week.  He  pays  50  kopecks  per  month  for  lodging,  leaving  him  aboul 
6  kopecks  or  3  cents  per  day  for  fooVl,  which  consists  chiefly  of  bhact 
bread,  of  which  he  eats  at  10  in  the  morning  and  10  at  night.  The  daj 
before,  he  had  visited  his  sister,  who  was  engnged  in  domestic  service 
in  the  city,  from  whom  he  received  some  white  bread,  the  recollection 
of  Avhich  feast  lit  up  his  countenance  with  evident  pleasure.  He 
wi^ote  his  name  and  that  of  his  father  for  us  in  Hebrew  and  Eussian 
promptly  and  in  a  neat  style. 

We  then  went  to  the  bookbindery  and  stereotyping  establishment  o^ 
Wittwe  &  Eonum  Brothers,  established  in  1789,  claimed  to  be  ihi 
oldest  existing  Jewish  bookbindery  in  the  world  and  the  most  extensive 
in  Eussia.  They  usually  employ  from  100  to  150  men  and  have  had  a^ 
many  as  200  at  work  at  one  time,  all  Jews.  They  have  now  about  5( 
hands  and  their  trade  is  practically  ruined,  owing  to  the  repressive  laws 
While  nearly  every  Jew  can  read  and  write,  and  while  in  thehumblesi 
of  JcAvish  homes  there  will  be  found  some  reading  material,  it  is  not  no^ 
a  question  of  books  but  one  of  food  which  confronts  them.  Ten  print 
ing  i)resses  were  then  idle,  which  in  previous  years,  we  were  told,  were 
sometimes  running  day  and  night.  The  wages  are  low  and  fair  type 
setters  noAv  receive  from  3  to  4  rubles  per  week. 

Another  shoe  establishment  for  the  making  of  uppers  was  visitec 
where  25  persons  are  eniployed,  earning  from  6  to  12  rubles  per  month 
The  usual  complaint  of  hard  times  was  made,  all  ascribed  to  the  in 
creased  competition  due  to  the  expulsion  from  the  interior. 

The  '^  Judengasse"  and  '^Fleischgasse"  are  two  streets  or  lanes,  aboui 
15  feet  wide,  between  the  buildings.  We  found  there  little  shops,  or 
more  properly  speaking,  closets,  some  not  more  than  2  feet  in  depth 
barely  large  enough  for  shelving,  and  filled  with  all  kinds  of  chca| 
wares  for  sale,  which  are  i)rotected  with  shutters  at  night.  The  iiro' 
prietois  of  these  small  i)laces  stand  on  the  sidewalk, just  outside  of  theii 
establishments,  and  we  were  informed  that  they  are  thus  exposed  in  the 
winter  sometimes  with  the  thermometer  at  20^  F.  below  zero.  Stovef 
are  out  of  the  question  for  lack  of  room  if  for  no  other  reason,  as  a  fair 
sized  stove  Avould  take  up  all  the  space.  Some  of  these  dens  are  deeper ^ 
making  it  i)ossible  for  the  proprietors  to  remain  inside.  These  estab' 
lishments  have  little  girls  on  the  walk  soliciting  trade,  who  for  thei: 
services  receive  15  kopecks  per  week.  The  sales  girls  inside  receive 
30  to  40  kopecks  per  week  without  board.  Lining  these  streets  ii 
great  numbers  were  women  and  girls  selling  api)les,  pears,  and  plumi 
such  as  formers  in  the  United  States  feed  to  their  pigs.  For  this  privi 
lege  they  are  charged  an  annual  tax  of  16  rubles,  which  if  not  paid  re 
suits  in  confiscation  of  the  entire  stock  and  an  order  to  discontinu* 
business.  Besides  this,  the  usual  method  is  observed  of  keeping  oi 
^'good  terms"  with  the  police. 

The  stock  in  trade  of  tliese  people  will  not  average  1  ruble  each,  yet  ii 
this  city,  we  were  told,  there  are  between  3,000  and  4,000  human  being; 
whose  existence  depends  on  this  traffic.  Later,  potatoes  replace  the  frui 
stock  and  so  through  the  year  according  to  season.  W"e  heard  one  wo 
man  offering  10  i)ears  for  1  kopeck  (one-half  cent).  All  of  these  peopL 
devote  a  portion  of  their  means  to  the  education  of  their  children,  as  edu 
cation  thus  far  has  meant  privileges  mitigating  the  restrictive  and  op 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      77 

I 
i  pressive  measures  directed  against  tlieir  people.  Tliis  boon  has  now 
]  jbeen  taken  away  and  but  few  can  obtain  entrance  to  the  higher  edn- 
j  cational  institutions  throngh  which  ran  the  highway  to  nnimi:)eded 
i  Residence  in  Russia.  The  girls  of  the  families,  despite  the  miseries  of 
1  their  condition,  remain  singularly  pure,  and  a  physician,  who  is  also  a 
,:  ^'overn mental  ofiicial,  told  ns  tliat  when  the  children  are  taken  ill  the 

I  parents  will  sell  or  pawn  anything  and  everything  they  have  to  ]}to- 
,)  ivide  medicines  and  food. 

,i  i  The  more  intelligent  and  prosperous  Jews  are  uneasy  and  apprehen- 
B  Sive  of  fearfid  consequences  due  to  the  very  serious  condition  of  afl'airs, 
J  w^hile  some  of  them  are  practically  panic-stricken  and  fear  increased 
distress  and  starvation  during  the  winter,  resulting  in  rioting  and 
J  l)loodshed. 
]     In  the  office  of  a  prominent  business  man,  at  a  little  gathering,  com- 

II  arising  two  lawyers,  a  doctor,  several  business  men,  and  a  rabbi,  the 
I  Jon  of  one  of  the  most  renowned  rabbis  in  Europe,  where  the  existing 
.]  jonditions  in  Eussia  were  being  discussed,  we  asked  what  about  the 
Tj  -uture.  iSTone  seemed  able  to  offer  other  rei)ly  save  that  which  we  had 
pj  )ften  heard,  that  "God  alone  could  help  them,"  excex)t  the  rabbi,  who 
„i  iaid:  "Trust  in  God  is  well  enough,  but  the  Lord  usually  works 
,1  through  human  agencies,  and  I  say  to  yc*u  that  our  only  hope  lies  in 
.1  fhe  humanity  of  the  American  and  English  people."  lie  feared  that 
yi(  appeals  and  i)rotests  by  other  nations  in  the  name  of  humanity  would 

but  embitter  the  Kussian  Government  and  increase  the  severitj^  of  the 
•H  persecutions  which  crush  the  spirit  of  their  peo]de,  and  from  which. 
I  :hey  flee.  Thousands  of  tlieir  race  have  left  and  are  preparing  and 
ii  jioping  to  leave  for  America,  Australia,  and  Africa.  One  of  these  emi- 
grants a  few  days  ago  said  to  him,  "I  am  going  to  America,  because  in 
„,  phat  direction  lies  hope.  Here  I  have  only  fears  to  confront  me.  The 
,  lope  may  prove  delusive,  but  here  the  fears  are  a  certainty.  ^ly  great 
:]  tmbition  is  to  breathe  at  least  once  the  free  air  with  which  God  has 
,j  )lessed  the  American  people."  I'he  rabbi  stated  that  these  were  the 
,,1  >xact  words,  as  he  remembered  them,  uttered  by  an  uncultured  Jew  emi- 
.  ^rant  whom  he  met  at  Kovno,  and  these  sentiments  are  in  the  heart  of 
jj  ivery  Jew  in  Russia. 

!,     Dr. ,  one  of  the  gentlemen  present,  related  the  following:  Some 

j  lime  ago,  while  he  was  living  in  St.  Petersburg,  Mrs.  G.,  a  lady  about 

JO  years  old,  called  upon  him  and  presented  letters  of  introduction. 
ihe  stated  that  she  might  possibly  desire  his  assistance  to  secure 
i^)V  her  son  admission  to  the  uiuversity  at  that  place.  She  was  the  wife 
f  a  merchant  of  the  second  guild  who  did  business  within  the  Pale, 
nd  as  such  she  as  well  as  her  husband  had  the  right  to  visit  and  re- 
gain in  St.  Petersburg  two  months  of  each  year.  For  some  reason  the 
wo  months  limit  was  reduced  to  two  weeks  by  the  police,  and  during 
hat  time  she  remained  at  a  hotel.  The  two  weeks  expired  and  her 
lusiness  not  being  finished  she  removed  to  another  hotel  which  bore 
he  reputation  of  being  on  "  good  terms  "  with  the  police.  Here  she 
emained  unmolested  two  days.  About  midnight  of  the  third  day  the 
jjbroprietor,  fearing,  or  claiming  to  believe,  that  a  ijolice  visitation  was 
xpected,  notified  her  that  she  must  leave  at  once.  She  went  to  Dr. 
apartments,  consisting  of  a  bedroom  and  office  and  stated  her 


^ 


ase  to  him,  imploring  his  assistance.  He  informed  her  that  all  he 
ould  do  was  to  surrender  to  her  his  own  bedroom,  the  door  of  which 
le  could  lock  and  he  would  pass  the  night  in  the  office.  Shortly  after 
liis  arrangement  had  been  made,  the  landlady  came  in  and  said  that 
he  understood  he  had  a  woman  at  his  lodging  which  the  character  of 
H.  Ex.  37 41 


78      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

hej^  house  would  not  permit.  He  toldlier  that  it  was  a  lady  old  eDoug 
to  be  his  mother,  who  for  certain  reasons  which  he  was  not  at  liber t 
to  discuss,  was  compelled  to  remain  there  for  the  night.  The  landlady 
however,  was  not  appeased  and  called  the  "dvornik,"  who  wanted  t 
know  who  it  was  he  was  harboring.  He  finally  bribed  the  "dvornik 
to  silence,  but  could  not  obtain  permission  for  the  lady  to  rem;jin.  I 
was  now  2  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  from  that  time  until  6  the 
walked  about  the  streets,  then  went  to  a  restaurant  for  breakfast,  an 
during  the  day  she  left  the  city  for  her  home. 

We  also  saw  Mrs.  Dimenstein,  with  her  two- weeks-old  babe  in  he 
arms,  and  who  made  the  following  statement:  Her  husband  is  an  ai 
tisan  (a  furrier),  and  AYith  him  and  their  two  children  lived  in  St.  P( 
tersburg.  The  police  visited  their  house  twice ;  the  first  time  her  hu^ 
band  was  dressed  ready  to  go  out  to  receive  or  deliver  work,  the  secon 
time  he  was  out  on  such  a  mission,  and  the  charge  was  at  once  mad 
that  he  was  not  an  artisan,  as  he  was  not  at  work  as  such.  He  wa 
notified  to  leave  within  one  month,  notwithstanding  that  he  establislie 
his  claim  to  artisanship  by  a  number  of  Christians  for  whom  he  ha 
done  work.  It  was  Avithout  avail,  however,  and  he  then  tried  to  obtai 
an  extension  of  time  on  account  of  the  advanced  pregnancy  of  his  wif 
This  also  was  refused.  His  time  having  nearly  expired,  lie  lelt  for  Lei] 
sic,  where  he  intended  to  establish  himself,  hoping  aud  beheving  thj 
his  wife,  who  was  daily  expecting  confinement,  would  be  allowed  1 
stay  until  after  the  birth  of  her  child.  This,  however,  was  not  permi 
ted,  and  she  was  compelled  to  go  at  the  designated  time.  Being  so  ne 
the  time  of  her  confinement,  she  employed  a  midwife  to  accompany  he 
and  about  4  a.  m.  of  the  following  day  Avhile  en  route  was  taken  with  lab( 
pains.  She  was  permitted  to  exchange  her  ticket  at  the  next  static 
and  remain  there  until  after  her  child  was  born,  which  occurred  t\A 
hours  later.  The  privilege  was  granted  of  remaining  until  4  p.  m. 
that  day,  when  she  was  put  aboard  the  train  for  Wilna,  and  from  tl 
station  to  her  lodging  house  was  carried  by  friends. 

Mrs.  D.  is  a  pleasant,  well-informed  lady  of  taste  and  refinemen 
and  a  photograph  of  her  husband,  which  she  exhibited  with  prid 
showed  him  to  be  seemingly  an  intelligent,  as  he  was  a  well-dresse 
handsome  man.  Her  lodgings  were  poor,  but  neat  and  clean,  and  si 
had  certainly  made  the  best  possible  use  of  the  little  means  her  x)overti 
stricken  condition  admitted  of,  and  into  which  she  was  forced  withoi 
warning.  She  was  at  first  somewhat  reticent,  having  the  fear,  whic 
these  people  frequently  exhibited,  that  we  might  be  members  of  tl 
secret  police.  We  often  found  it  difiScult  to  persuade  them  to  tal 
but  once  their  confidence  gained  and  assured  that  we  were  not  Eussis 
officials,  it  was  not  easy  to  get  them  to  stop.  Among  other  things,  si 
stated  that  the  conductor  of  her  train  said  that  her  case  was  by  ] 
means  uncommon,  that  he  quite  recently  had  another  where  the  chi 
of  the  expelled  Jewess  was  born  on  the  train.  This  latter  case  we  heai 
of,  but  did  not  meet  the  woman. 

Sepeynher  2. — We  visited  David  ,  locksmith.     He  has  tl 

best  place  of  the  kind  in  Wilna  and  has  hitherto  carried  on  a  lar^ 
business.  At  present  work  is  scarce  and  prices  low  and  he  is  makii 
up  a  stock  of  goods,  hojnng  for  better  times.  All  of  the  employes  a 
Jews,  among  them  a  young  fellow  who  had  learned  the  trade  and  w: 
engaged  at  a  vise.  His  work  showed  that  he  Avas  a  competent  artisa 
for  wliich  he  was  now  receiving  25  rubles  per  year  and  board;  former 
he  received  1  ruble  per  day,  but  competition  had  reduced  his  earning 

>Ve  then  went  to  a  cabinetmaker's  establishment,  where  20  men,  t 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     79 

;|  Jews,  were  employed.     Some  of  them  were  inlaying  a  cabinet  of  ma- 

^  hogany  with  brass,  an  elaborate  and  superior  piece  of  furniture.  The 
best  workmen  receive  from  5  to  7  rubles  per  week,  about  one-half  of  the 

towages  ■|)revailing  before  the  troubles  began. 

Near  by  is  a  large  steam  sawmill  owned  by  Mr.  Massovinin,  who  em- 
ploys 50  men  on  the  river  Vilia.  The  building  is  of  brick  and  substan- 
tial, but  the  machinery  is  very  primitive,  the  only  saws  in  use  being  a 

qJ  gajig  moving  slowly  up  and  down.  The  men  who  work  upon  the  rafts 
and  lumdle  logs  receive  50  kopecks  per  day  of  thirteen  hours,  board- 

J  ing  themselves.    None  but  Jews  do  this  work,  as  it  is  hard  and  severe, 

^i  especially  in  che  autumn  Avhen  the  water  is  cold.    The  sawyers  receive 

p(  5  rubles  i)er  Aveek.     The  same  proprietor  owns  a  grivStmill  adjoining. 

li  Here  the  emi^loyes,  also  Jews,  receive  from  80  to  40  kopecks  i)er  day 
of  twenty  hours,  boarding  themselves,  sleeping  in  the  mill  on  sacks 
when  olf  duty.    There  is  no  lack  of  help,  as  hundreds  are  waiting  for  a 

;,  chance  to  work  even  under  such  conditions  and  at  those  prices.  Five 
or  six  stalwart  looking  fellows  were  loading  upon  wagons  sacks  of  rye 

1  flour  each  containing  37  poods  (1,480  pounds).    As  in  the  sawmill,  none 

,[i  of  the  machinery  is  of  modern  or  improved  kind. 

til  A  blacksmith  shop  across  the  street,  belonging  to  a  Jew  named  Itzik, 
was  next  insj^ected.  He  was  standing  dejectedly  in  his  shop,  idle. 
I  From  him  we  learned  that  he  had  formerly  done  a  fair  business  and 
employed  an  assistant,  making  a  daily  x)i'otit  of  IJ  rubles,  but  to-day 
"I  have  earned  only  30  kopecks.  I  do  not  know  what  this  is  coming 
to."  About  a  year  ago  he  had  instructions  from  the  police  to  tear 
down  his  former  wooden  shop  and  rebuild  with  brick,  which  he  did 
altliougli  he  knew  of  no  reason  for  such  orders,  as  there  were  wooden 

,1  shops  all  about  his.  He  said  he  had  been  idle  more  than  half  the  time 
since  A])iil  and  sees  no  prosi)ect  of  imi^rovement.  "  Competition  is  so 
great  that  all  are  grabbing  for  work,  whieh,  when  they  get,  they  do 

r|  almost  for  nothing." 

Another  blacksmith,  Mr.  Hirsch,  has  in  his  emi)loy  three  boys,  being 
obliged  to  discharge  liis  men  because  he  could  no  longer  aftbrd  to  pay 
them  the  0  rubles  y)er  week,  which  they  formerly  earned.  The  boys 
receive  from  20  to  30  kopecks  per  day  and  board  themselves;  has  not 
much  work  to  do,  owing  to  competition,  and  said  ruin  stared  him  in  the 

M  face  because  so  many  artisans  came  from  the  interior  to  Wilmi. 

We  next  visited  a  Mr.  Walberg,  wood  carver  and  cabinetmaker,  who 
was  at  first  unwilling  to  talk,  fearing  that  we  Avere  newcomers  Avho 

J  might  be  competitors  in  his  business.     He  formerly  employed  35  men, 

J  noAv  there  were  0  men  and  boys  in  the  place.  His  wood  carvers  earn 
from  4  to  5  rubles  per  Aveek,  and  one  of  superior  skill  receives  7  rubles. 

1  The  boys  are  paid  10  to  15  kopecks  per  day,  one  of  Avliom,  Avho  seemed 
to  be  about  14  years  of  age  (he  Avas  afraid  to  talk),  Avas  carving  a  table 
leg  of  handsome  design. 

We  were  told  that  the  sales  were  practically  nothing  now.  In  the 
storeroom  there  Avas  a  carved  and  ofiiamented  sideboard,  ottered  for 

H  sale  at  80  ruble^^,  an  article  of  turniture,  Avhich  here  would  cost  at  least 
$300.  Ehiborately  hand-carved  hall  chairs  were  marked  at  from  10  to 
15  rubles.  We  here  heard  the  same  story  of  paralysis  of  trade,  exces- 
sive competition,  fcAv  sales,  and  beggarly  prices. 

The  last  place  visited  Avas  a  stocking-knitting  factory  where  30  Jewish 
girls  Avere  employed.  Upon  our  ai)proach,  fearing  we  were  police  agents, 
a«2  but  three  ran  aAvay,  returning  as  their  alarm  subsided.  They  work 
fourteen  hours  per  day  for  40  kopecks.  These  girls  Avere  at  Avork  in  one 
room  and  their  appearance  Avas  most  pitiable.    Their  sunken  eyes,  de- 


80     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

jected  visage,  aud  gaunt  bodies  told  the  awful  story  of  pinching  hunge 
and  ove^^York  more  i)lainly  than  eonld  tlieir  tongaes,  and  no  one  conic 
see  them  as  we  did  without  feeling  deeply  moved  at  the  desperate  coe 
dition  in  whicli  they  found  themselves.  IMany  of  them  have  fine  face 
and  would  be  called  handsome  but  for  the  distress  deeply  stampe( 
thereon  which  spoke  pathetically  of  the  excessive  toiJ,  poor  nourisli 
ment,  and  impure  air  which  was  theh'  daily  lot  and  fiom  which  there  i 
no  release  but  by  death.  Gaining  their  confidence  they  talked  with  soni 
degree  of  freedom  and  a  number  of  them  said  they  would  like  to  go  t« 
America,  about  Avldch  place  they  had  heard  such  good  account;? 
ScA'eral  have  friends  whom  they  would  like  to  join  but  they  can  not  g< 
nor  save  the  little  money  necessary  to  take  them,  while  the  coiulition 
here  are  growing  daily  Avorse.  AVlien  asked  what  they  lived  on  one  o 
the  girls"  replied:  ''Two  meals  a  day,  of  black  bread,  watered  witl 
tears."  Sometimes  they  have  cabbage  soup  twice  a  week  but  very  rarel; 
any  meat. 

There  are  three  grades  of  rye  bread  on  the  market.  For  a  pood  (4i 
pounds)  of  the  poorest,  the  kind  used  by  the  working  people,  the  pric 
is  1  ruble;  the  next  best,  1  ruble  40  kopecks,  while  the  best,  inferior  t< 
that  sold  in  America,  costs  1  luble  and  GO  kopecks.  A\  here  we  inves 
tigated  the  bread  prices  we  met  an  old  man  ai)parently  past  70  on  hi 
way  home  from  work.  He  seemed  to  be  anxiously  considering  an  invest 
meiit  of  the  2  kopecks  he  held  in  his  hand,  and  finally  laid  down  on^ 
or  them  for  which  he  received  apiece  of  cheese  about  as  large  as  a  but 
ternut,  and  in  answer  to  our  iuv-iuiry  said:  "This,  with  a  slice  of  blacl 
bread,  is  all  I  shall  have  for  my  dinner." 

We  left  Wilna  with  impressions  indelibly  impressed  upon  our  mem 
ories  of  want  and  misery  such  as  we  had  never  seen,  and  which  w 
hope  never  to  see  again.  Jj^either  pencil  nor  pen  can  adequately  describ 
the  conditions,  even  if  it  were  in  order  in  an  otficial  report  to  elaboiat 
them.  Of  the  th(msands  of  cases  that  Ave  encountered  without  seekin; 
we  could  make  notes  of  but  a  tithe,  a  few  of  which  are  presented  a 
taken  at  the  time. 

Here  we  separated,  Commissioner  Kempster  going  to  some  farmin; 
communities  near  Dekshni,  while  Commissioner  Weber  went  on  t 
Bjalostok.     The  former  reports  as  follows: 

In  the  Gubernia  of  Minsk,  Wilna,  Grodno,  Kovno,  and  Yolhynia,  t- 
which  the  Jews  fled  during  the  persecutions  of  the  middle  ages,  the; 
purchased  large  estates,  some  of  which  have  been  carried  on  success 
fully  by  them  ever  since.'  In  the  year  1819  the  Eussian  Governmen 
prohibited  Jews  from  purchasing  more  land,  but  in  1835  they  set  apar 
5,500  acres  in  the  province  of  Minsk,  on  which  Jewish  agriculturist 
might  settle,  and  in  1857  there  were,  according  to  ofiicial  statistics,  3,97. 
persons  on  this  land.  This  number  afterwards  increased,  and  in  188 
there  Avere  over  5,000  persons  upon  this  and  adjoining  leased  property 
The  May  laws  of  1882  forbade  ucav  contracts  Avith  Jews  as  lessees  c 
landed  estates  situated  outside  the  precincts  of  towns  and  townlets,  o 
even  the  issue  of  powers  of  attorney,  to  enable  Jews  to  manage  sue 
estates.  As  a  result  many  persons  were  forced  back  froin  these  land 
into  the  towns  and  townlets  of  the  Pale,  the  only  places  they  could  noA 
reside  in,  and  Avhere  there  was  no  land  to  cultivate.  In  Kovno  th 
Jewish  communities  held,  by  Government  permission,  more  than  85,00 
acres,  and  in  Grodno  about  0,000  acres,  with  an  agricultural  populatio 
of  4,000  people.  In  A^olhynia,  a  proAdnce  containing,  comparative!, 
extensive  agricultural  tracts,  and  which  also  gave  refuge  to  tlie  Jew.' 
bread  Avas  furnished  for  a  great  many  tillers  of  the  soil.    Untn  the  yea 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      81 

I|l882  tliey  cultivated  more  tlian  G00,000  acres,  nearly  G  per  cent  of  tlie 
'^arable  lands  in  tlie  province.  In  all  of  these  places,  wliich  are  within 
Hlie  l^"ile  of  settlement,  the  enforcement  of  the  3Iay  regnlations  has  com- 
l)elled  the  leaseholders  to  abandon  the  i^roperties  they  were  on  and 
i' forced  tliese  eommnuities  to  go  back  into  the  townlets,  where  the  laws 
.'obliged  them  to  live. 

^'    We  found  that  in  many  instances  the  Eussian  landed  proprietors 
J\ised  every  endeavor  to  i)ermit  the  Jews  to  remain,  because  their  ex- 
'{pulsion  meant  a  discontinuance  of  the  rent  which  came  to  them,  gener- 
"♦ally  a  good  one.     In  some  instances  the  order  for  expulsion  came  while 
Hhe  crops  were  yet  standing  in  the  fields,  thereby  preventing  their 
'|harv'esting.    oSTear  the  city  of  Wilua  there  are  a  number  of  agricultural 
1  colonies  which  were  established  under  somewhat  peculiar  circumstances, 
and    these  communities  were  specially    examined.     I  left  Wilna,  in 
company  with  a  guide,  at  G  a.  m.  Sei)tember  4,  and  at  the  station  of 
Olkeneiki  took  a  post  conveyance  and  traveled   across  country  to 
Dekshni,  one  of  the  Jewisli  colonies.    The  drive  was  over  a  sandy 
plain,  interspersed  liere  and  there  with  small  groves  of  scrub  i:)ines. 
Tlie  crops  had  nearly  all  been  gathered,  except  buckwheat,  which  was 
Jbeing  cut  by  women  with  sickles.     The  soil  is  i)oor,  the  cultivation  not 
equal  to  that  found  on  the  most  ordinary  American  farms,  because  of 
the  inferiority  of  agricultural  implements.    The  buckwheat  was  less 
than  G  inches  in  height  and  so  thin  that  it  would  not  have  been  con- 
sidered worth  cutting  in  America.     Here,  however,  every  scrap  is  care- 
fully harvested.     On  the  road  we  passed  a  gristmill  Avhich  stands  on 
Government  land,  the  tenant  a  Jew,  who  pays  special  taxes  to  the  au- 
thorities for  the  use  of  the  water  in  the  stream,  a  mere  rill,  which  is 
dammed  so  etfectively  that  the  proprietor  obtains  a  head  of  5  feet. 
He  said  he  could  not  run  the  mill  regularly,  owing  to  the  lack  of  water, 
but  he  is  compelled  to  pay  his  taxes  annually  nevertheless.     The  prin- 
cipal grists  are  rye  and  buckwheat.     For  grinding  he  receives  5  kopecks 
for  the  pood  of  40  pounds.     His  laborer  receives  about  50  ko^iecks  a 
day  in  summer  and  in  winter  25  kopec^ks,  without  board,  and  this  is 
the  general  price  for  laborers  round  about  here.    Women  receive  the 
same  wages  as  men. 

Besides  Dekshni,  there  are  other  colonies  in  this  vicinity,  Leypoon 
and  Ponashysterz.  Each  community  is  subdivided  according  to  size. 
The  drive  through  the  country  to  these  places  was  through  farm  lands, 
^  and  we  found  the  grain  still  in  the  shock,  some  of  it  already  sprouted  and 
worthless.  As  the  starvation  had  begun  in  some  parts  of  Eussia  this 
waste  seemed  wicked,  and  ui>on  inquiry  of  some  Moujiks  for  the  rea- 
son, they  said  that  it  had  ])cen  customary  for  them  to  sow  the  grain 
and  harvest  it,  then  they  sold  it  to  dealers  who  took  it  from  the  ground, 
marketed  it,  and  paid  them  its  value,  but  that  this  year  the  dealers 
had  not  come  for  the  grain,  and  it  had  not,  therefore,  been  thrashed. 
Further  inquiry  develox)ed  the  fact  that  the  majority  of  these  dealers 
were  Jews,  who  this  year  were  driven  away  by  the  enforcement  of  the 
May  laws,  leaving  no  one  to  market  the  meager  crop,  and  it  was  there- 
fore lost.  We  found  the  same  condition  of  affairs  in  every  place,  dou'bt- 
less-due  to  the  same  reasons. 

The  colony  of  Dekshni  is  subdivided  into  IG  parts,  which  contain 
about  43  dissiatinas  (8G  acres)  each.  In  Leypoon  there  are  8  divisions, 
ill  Ponashysterz  0.  In  1848  the  Czar  Nicholas  invited  Jews  to  estid3- 
llsh  themselves  in  this  and  other  communities  iiear  here,  and  gave  to 
each  head  of  a  family  who  accepted  the  invitation  200  rubles  with  which 
TO  build  a  house,  and  exemi^ted  them  fi'om  all  military  service  for 
I  H.  Ex.  235 6 


82     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

twenty-five  years  and  from  all  taxation  for  ten  years.  When  these 
colonies  were  established  it  was  required  that  each  division  iimst  hav( 
at  least  six  workmen  upon  it,  three  old  and  three  young,  and  if  for  anj 
reason  there  were  less,  a  suri)lus  family  must  be  drawn  from  a  divisioi 
containing  more  than  six.  As  the  colonies  giew  the  numbers  of  eacl 
division  increased,  so  that  now  there^are  from  twenty  to  tliirty  on  ever^ 
division,  and  existence  for  so  manj^  is  almost  impossible. 

Under  the  provisions  of  the  original  grant  the  land  will  belong  to  tlu 
Jews  who  remain  in  1913,  but  they  say  it  is  rumored  that  they  are  tc 
be  removed.  ''We  are  forbidden  to  lease  land  outside  our  community 
and  those  of  our  number  who  were  there  have  been  sent  away  and  wc 
are  not  permitted  to  hold  the  leased  land.'' 

We  saw  the  original  grant,  approved  by  the  Ozar  Nicholas,  fron 
which  the  data  concerning  these  colonies  were  taken.  In  1858  the  Gov 
ernment  imposed  a  tax  ranging  from  59  to  00  rubles  per  annum  upoi 
the  head  of  each  family.  It  was  soon  found  utterly  imi>ossible  to  paj 
this,  as  they  could  not  accumulate  this  sum  from  the  net  sale  of  crops 
About  four  years  ago  the  tax  was  reduced  to  30  rubles  per  annum,  anc 
this  is  the  sum  now  paid.  The  land  is  so  poor  and  steadily  growing 
worse  that  it  can  not  raise  good  crops  even  in  ordinary  years.  The} 
grow  rye,  oats,  buckwheat,  and  some  small  garden  vegetables.  In 
good  year  they  raise  12  poods  of  rye  to  the  dissiatina  (240  pounds  tc 
the  acre).  Last  year  (1890)  the  rye  failed  altogether,  and  they  had  nc 
bread  made  from  their  own  grain.  This  year  (1891)  it  is  estimated  that 
they  will  have  8  poods  to  the  dissiatiiia,  the  market  price  here  beinol 
now  (August,  1891)  75  to  80  koi^ecks  per  pood.  Buckwheat,  poor  thij 
year,  is  worth  from  50  to  GO  koi^ecks  per  i)ood  and  yield  about  1( 
poods  i)er  dissiatina.  It  is  largely  used  for  food;  from  it  they  make  f 
soap  into  wliich  they  put  potatoes,  these  being  the  principal  articles  ol 
diet.  This  year  the  potatoes  have  all  rotted  in  the  ground.  Oats  dc 
not  grow  abundantly;  this  season  they  raised  only  50  poods  in  the  en 
tire  community — not  enough  for  seed.  Their  houses  are  grouped  to 
gether  so  as  to  form  a  town,  being  nearly  all  the  same  size,  one  story  ir 
height,  in  a  row  and  generally  containing  two  families,  one  in  each  end 

In  this  village  there  is  no  saloon  or  any  place  where  beer  or  liquoi 
can  be  obtained.  I  went  into  the  house  of  a  man  who  acts  in  the  ca 
pacity  of  teacher.  I  found  in  the  room  20  small  children  attending 
school  and  who  were  being  instructed  in  the  art  of  reading,  writing 
and  arithmetic,  the  reading  lesson  being  chosen  from  the  Bible  anc 
Tahnud.  One  little  fellow,  aged  10,  came  forward  at  my  invitation  anc 
read  from  the  Bible.  Copy  books  were  placed  before  them  in  whicl 
they  wrote  a  firm  round  hand,  and  being  questioned  as  to  their  reading 
lessons  all  replied  x)romptly  and  evinced  an  interest  in  their  instruction 
The  teacher  receives  for  his  services  8  rubles  for  six  months.  In  thk' 
colonj^  there  are  over  100  adults,  besides  the  children,  and  not  out 
among  them  unable  to  read  and  write  Hebrew  and  Eussian,  their  edu 
cation  being  equivalent  to  that  of  our  common  schools.  The  little  ones 
both  girls  and  boys,  work  a  certain  portion  of  each  day  in  the  field.' 
with  their  parents.  At  my  request  the  children  were  called  from  wher( 
I  found  them  at  work  and  asked  to  read  and  write,  which  they  did  ii 
every  instance  writing  their  names  in  a  note  book  both  in  Hebrew  anc 
Russian.  The  school  exercises  would  put  to  the  blush  some  of  the 
school  children  in  my  own  country.  One  little  girl,  6  years  old,  stooc 
by  my  side  and  read  clearly  and  plainly  from  the  Bible  without  liesita 
tion  or  even  spelling  out  the  words.  They  ay  ere  all  clean  but  poorlj 
dressed,  well-behaved,  and  resi)ectful.    A  short  time  since  some  of  tlu 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     83 

ttofarmers  of  tli.is  community  asked  permission  to  purchase  some  lands 
.iadjoining'  their  colony  which  the  landowners  were  willing;  to  sell  pro- 
,|3vided  they  could  get  permission  from  the  officials.  The  request  was 
^denied  on  the  ground  that  the  Government  would  sell  no  land  to  Jews. 
.yThe  overflow  from  here  goes  mainly  to  America.  During  the  past  five 
Jyears  20  men  have  gone  from  this  one  community.     Sometimes  they  go 

lout  to  neighboring  cities  as  coachmen. 
rij  There  were  20  men  who  came  into  the  room  where  my  investigations 
Jwere  xirosecuted,  all  seeming  to  know  something  about  American  life. 
•^iThey  said  they  would  like  to  go  there  if  they  had  the  money.  ''Here 
Jour  land  is  so  poor  that  we  are  unable  to  get  sufficient  means  to  sustain 
ourselves."  I  asked  them  if,  in  case  they  went  to  another  country, 
J, they  would  settle  in  tlie  cities.  'The  rejily  was  "No,  we  can  not  live 
^without  fields,  any  more  than  a  fish  can  without  water.  We  Avere 
,„born  here  larmers,  and  farmers  we  want  to  be  to  the  end  of  our  days." 
,^1  then  asked  why  they  wished  to  go  to  America.  A  housewife  pushed 
:  her  way  through  the  men  and  said  to  me,  "  02ir  lives  are  lost,  hut  we 
j^want  to  alleviate  the  condition  of  our  cJiildren.'^^  They  asked  about  the 
„soil  and  its  products,  about  food,  liow  the  land  was  watered,  prices  for 
llabor  and  for  farm  products,  and  evinced  a  great  interest  in  the  subject, 
jJas  well  as  a  thorough  knowledge  in  everything  pertauiing  to  agricultural 
j.|pursuits.  There  are  in  this  community  thirty  horses  and  sixtj'  cows.  The 
,ij,room  iuAvhich  I  took  statements  of  these  people  is  not  more  than  12  feet 
|j  square  and  0  feet  high,  with  furniture  plain  but  clean,  and  in  the  Aviu- 
„  dows  were  some  simple  fiowers  in  pots.  On  a  shelf,  besides  the  Bible 
I  and  prayer  books,  I  found  fifty  volumes  printed  in  Hebrew  and  in 
[,l,Kussian,  also  some  old  magazines  and  newspapers.  During  my  inves- 
tigations the  teacher  arose  and  asked  to  be  excused,  saying,  "It  is  now 
,|fOurliour  for  prayer;  we  desire  to  go  to  our  liouse  of  worship.  We  will 
[Jreturn  soon  and  remain  witli  you,  and  be  at  your  service."  They 
,j  quietly  arose  and  Avithdrew,  leaving  me  alone  in  this  little  home. 
,  Before  going  they  ])laeed  on  the  table  a  samovar  Avith  glasses  for  the 
j.|tea  and  a  i)itcher  of  milk. 

I  The  buildings  though  old  are  Avell  preserved  and  as  clean  outside  as 
within.  There  is  an  entire  absence  of  trees,  as  fruit  trees  a\411  not  grow 
in  the  soil  Avhile  small  fruits  are  difficult  to  raise.  As  no  one  knew  but 
ij, myself  that  I  was  to  visit  this  community  it  Avas  impossible  that  they 
;  could  haA^e  prepared  a  i)lace  for  a  reception.  The  day  Avas  Friday  and 
the  community  Av^as  getting  ready  for  their  Sabbath.  I  Avent  into  each 
of  the  houses  in  the  communit3\  There  Avas  no  material  ditt'erence  in 
any  of  them,  the  same  cleaidiness  being  obserA^able  in  each  place. 
Round  about  the  house  the  green  grass  Avas  kept  clean  and  smooth- 
shaven  as  ahiAvn.  There  were  no  "back  yards"  Avhere  all  sorts  of  litter 
is  permitted  to  accumulate.  Tlie  ba.rns  AA^ere  as  neatly  kei)t  as  tlie 
homes,  the  contents  being  stacked  aAvay  or  mowed  Avith  careful  i)recl- 
sion,  consisting  of  peas,  lentils,  and  beans  used  for  making  soup.  On 
every  hand  the  husbandry  was  of  the  most  orderly  character.  On  our 
way  to  Dek.shni  w^e  passed  through  a  Russian  village  about  2  versts 
distant  which  place  Ave  inspected.  The  buildings  A\xre  terribly  dilapi- 
dated and  dirty,  and  although  only  40  srmls  are  living  there  it  contains 
a  saloon,  located  in  one  of  the  largest  houses.  There  is  neither  school 
or  teacher  iu  the  community,  nor  Avere  there  any  evidences  of  carc^ful 
husbandry.  On  the  piincipal  street  there  Avas  a  pool  extending  all  the 
way  across,  immediately  in  front  of  the  houses,  nearly  50  feet  wide  and 
up  to  the  carriage  hubs  in  mud,  Avhich  Avas  covered  with  a  green  slime 
in  Avhich  the  swine  AvercAvalloAA'ing  and  from  Avhich  emanated  a  horrible 


il 


84     ENFOECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

stench.  There  were  men  in  abundance  and  it  needed  only  a  littl 
energy  and  a  few  cart  loads  of  dirt,  easily  obtainable,  to  abate  a  nu 
sance  which  has  x)robably  existed  since  the  foundation  of  the  village. 
Le^^oon  and  Ponashysterz  do  not  differ  materially  from  the  con 
munity  of  Dekshni,  excepting  that  they  are  somewhat  larger.  Th 
community  is  founded  upon  the  same  principles,  the  houses  are  built  i 
the  same  manner,  and  the  general  conditions  are  like  those  found  a 
Dekshni.  Those  villages  in  existence  since  1848  are  a  standing  refute 
tion  of  the  charge  that  the  Jews  are  not  farmers.  All  with  whom 
conversed  stated  that  they  desired  to  remain  where  they  were,  and  i'^ 
it  had  not  been  for  the  severity  of  the  laws  which  compelled  them  t^ 
relinquish  lands  they  had  hitherto  held  they  would  not  now  leave,  bu 
that  the  increased  numbers  accumulating  there  year  after  year  lun 
made  it  impossible  for  them  to  obtain  a  livelihood  upon  the  grant  origi 
nally  given,  and  as  the  laws  hitherto  made  had  been  revoked  by  tli 
May  laws,  they  could  see  no  other  way  before  them  to  obtain  subsist 
ence  but  by  emigration.  The  conclusion  forced  itself  upon  me  that  i 
these  people  can  obtain  a  livelihood  upoii  this  soil,  under  such  uufavor 
able  circumstances  and  surroundings,  bringing  up  their  children  h 
usefulness,  giving  them  a  fair  education,  they  would  do  vastly  bette; 
if  they  were  located  where  they  had  an  equal  chance  with  others  iij 
the  same  walk  of  life. 

bjalystoe:. 

Septemher  5,  1891. — Commissioner  Weber  reached  this  place  at  11 
p.  m.,  having  left  Commissioner  Kempster  at  Wilna,  as  already  stated 
and  reports  as  follows:  This  city  is  near  the  border  line  between  Eussi^ 
and  Poland,  has  a  i)opulation  roughlv  estimated  at  60,000,  of  whon 
35,000  are  Jews,  10,000  Polanders,  10,000  Germans,  and  about  5,00( 
Eussians,  besides  soldiers  and  of&cials,  all  of  whom  are  Eussians.  11 
is  a  manufacturing  center,  and  about  150  clotli  manufactories  of  greatei 
or  less  importance  are  located  in  and  around  the  city.  There  are  alsc 
a  number  of  tobacco  factories.  At  every  i)lace  visited  the  usual  replj 
was  given  to  questions  about  the  condition  of  trade.  ''Trade  is  para- 
lyzed, jDrofits  small,  competition  fierce,  sales  contracted  because  of  the 
uncertain tj^  of  what  the  morrow  may  bring  forth,  and  the  increased 
risk  in  giving  credit.  Parents  hesitate  about  educating  their  children 
in  the  higher  institutions  here  to  the  extent  to  which  they  are  still  per 
mitted,  while  those  artisans  and  laborers  who  have  work  are  making 
but  i)art  time  and  at  reduced  wages." 

Most  of  the  factories  use  hand  machinery.  Where  steam  is  used 
Christians  are  employed,  as  the  Jews  observe  Saturday  as  their  Sab- 
bath, and  the  police  regulations  forbid  the  oi)eration  of  steam  estab- 
lishments on  Sunday;  hence  the  machinery  would  stand  idle  two  days 
in  the  week  if  Jews  were  employed.  The  feeling  between  Christians 
and  Jews  is  reported  here  to  be  most  kindly,  ''brotherly,"  as  was  ex- 
pressed by  a  large  manufacturer. 

Formerly  weavers  received  from  7  to  10  rubles  per  week;  now  they 
receive  3J  to  (3,  and  work  usually  from  5  a.  m.  to  7  p.  m.,  with  two  and 
one-half  hours  intermission  for  meals.  The  bulk  of  the  goods  manu- 
factured here  is  sold  to  Jews,  who  report  that  the  consumption  has 
fallen  off  from  one-half  to  two-thirds  owing  to  the  disturbances. 

The  obtaining  of  a  passport  for  emigration  is  beset  with  serious  diffi- 
culties. Five  or  six  certilicates  are  required,  which,  with  stamps,  cost  80 
kopecks  each.    A  visit  to  Grodno  is  also  necessary.     The  journey  and 


ENFOECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     85 

^^l^peuses,  witli-the  sums  necessary  to  move  the  police  wheels,  runs  the 
^st  up  to  from  20  to  25  rubles,  heuce  miuiy  go  to  the  border  without 
jassports,  pay  5  rubles  to  the  police  as  a  bribe,  and  easily -pass  beyoud 
Tie  jurisdiction   of  the  Eussian   autliorities,   thereby  saving  money 
'ifiough  to  pay  their  way  to  Hamburg.     For  this  reason  a  correct  esti- 
mate of  the  outflow  is  imi)ossible,  as  much  of  it  is  of  this  clandestine 
^laracter;  but  everywhere  I  heard  of  the  movement  to  Afiica,  Aus- 
4'alia,  Palestine,  South  America,  England,  but  the  most  of  it  to  the 
I'nited  States.    Many  of  them  have  relatives  already  settled  in  this 
xuntry,  and  all  give  glowing  accounts  of  our  conditions,  while  some 
iceive  money  from   such  relatives   for    sustenance  and  passage  to 
merica.    There  seemed  to  be  less  fear  on  the  i)art  of  prominent  Jews 
)  be  seen  with  us,  as  was  the  case  in  the  interior.     In  many  respects 
vilization  has  reached  a  higher  standard  here,  probably  because  of 
roximity  to  the  border.     The  pioneers  in  manufacturing  enter] )rises, 
^!  le  leaders  in  what  Americans  would  term  ])rogress,  are  Jews.    Is'early 
eryone  reads  and  writes  Hebrew^  many  Eussian  and  German,  some 
olish  and  French  in  addition. 

I  saw  ]\Ir.  Yollvowsky,  son  of  a  merchant  of  the  first  guild,  who  was 
^Orn  in  this  neighborhood  and  is  prominent  in  various  business  enter- 
rises  which  have  brought  him  ample  means.  Tlie  son  visits  Charkoff', 
the  southern  X)art  of  Eussia,  as  the  business  representative  of  his 
bther,  several  times  annually,  and  is  as  well  known  to  the  officials  and 
rominent  business  men  there  as  here.  I^Totwithstanding  he  has  a  right 
go  anywhere  in  Eussia,  and  that  on  January  25,  1891,  his  cer- 
i  ficate  was  properly  and  prom])tly  vised  by  the  police  authorities,  yet 
the  22d  of  July  following  the  same  instrument  wa*^  indorsed  by 
';amp  and  writing  that  he  had  not  the  document  entitling  him  to  visit 
harkoff,  and  was  ordered  out  within  twenty -four  hours.  Api)lication 
)  the  governor  finally  obtained  an  extension  of  his  time  privilege  to 
le  2d  day  of  August.  1  saw  the  certificate  with  numerous  indorse- 
ents  stamped  thereon,  which  were  translated  by  our  interi)reter 
id  found  to  be  as  above  stated.  Later  in  the  day  we  called  ui)on  his 
ther,  who  was  at  that  time  confined  to  his  bed  by  illness.  He  is  a 
ost  intelligent  gentleman,  formerly  a  manufacturer  of  gloves,  and  one 
the  first  in  the  business  at  this  place.  He  seemed  to  be  quite  dis- 
kiraged  as  to  the  future,  and  believes  that  increasing  disaster  is  inevi- 
ible.  The  city  is  full  of  unemx)lo3'ed  labor,  which  is  manifest  at  every 
and,  and  groups  of  fifty  or  sixty  are  common  in  the  streets.  The 
olish  language  is  not  so  generally  spoken  here  as  formerly,  it  being 
rohibited  in  official  circles,  at  the  railroad  stations,  and  schools.  The 
3sign  is  to  Eussify  Poland  and  the  formerdependenciesof  old  Poland, 
:'  which  this  section  was  one.  The  younger  generation  speaks  very 
:tle  Polish. 

I  visited  the  cloth  factory  of  L.  Handler,  who  employs  50  men  when 
full  operation;  at  present  he  employs  20.  Eighteen  handlooms  are 
.  operation  and  fourteen  idle,  owing  to  the  hard  times.  Last  year  they 
ere  all  in  operation.  He  makes  first-class  goods,  and  must  therefore 
ly  the  highest  rate  of  wages.  Weavers  receive  8  rubles  per  week, 
)y8 1 J  rubles,  girls  from  IJ  to  2  rubles  per  week.  One  of  these  weavers 
Id  me  that  he  pays  40  to  50  rubles  per  year  for  the  education  of  his 
lildren,  and  in  addition  8  rubles  annually  for  charitable  purposes, 
nother,  Hirsch  J.  Jvatz,  said  he  was  going  to  America,  and  upon  being 
^ked  why,  replied:  '^I  can  not  supi:)ort  my  family  here;  the  income  is 
''^►o  small  for  the  expenditures."  He  formerly  earned  10  rubles  per 
'^eek  and  now  averages  about  6  rubles;  has  a  wife  and  four  cliildren, 


86  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONl'RACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

besides  liis  fatlier-in-law,  to  support.  He  lias  a  brother  in  tlie  Unitec 
States  who  earns  from  $8  to  $10  per  week  as  a  clothes  p  (^sser;  ha: 
been  there  three  years,  and  reports  himself  as  highly  pleased  with  hi; 
condition.  This  man  will  go  first  and  afterward  send  for  his  family 
His  father  and  mother  formerly  leased  land,  but  they  died  some  tiim 
ago  and  the  son  was  not  i)ermitted  to  renew  the  lease,  so  he  had  to  come 
to  th  is  city.  He  leaves  for  New  York  tiext  week.  He  says  he  thoroughly 
understands  farming  and  gardening,  and  is  willing  to  work  at  that  oi 
anything  else  in  order  to  earn  a  living  for  his  family. 

t  next  visited  a  Jewish  tobacco  factory,  and  after  some  parleying  ob 
tained  the  sanction  of  the  revenue  officer  stationed  there  to  enter,  bul 
the  proprietor,  evidently  fearing  that  the  officer  had  been  surprised  ink 
acquiescence,  i)ro tested  vehemently  against  our  entrance.  He  seemed 
panic-stricken  and  was  not  sure  whether  Ave  were  sight- seers,  as  repre 
sented,  or  secret  police.  We  relieved  his  anxiety  by  promptly  with 
drawing. 

I  called  at  the  tannery  of  Mr.  Zalkin,  who  employs  altogether  Of 
workmen,  10  Christians  and  the  rest  Jews.  The  main  tannery  build 
ings  are  about  7  miles  from  the  city.  The  proprietor  spoke  as  discour 
agingly  of  the  future  as  all  the  others  had,  and  offered  the  same  rea 
sons  for  the  depressed  condition  of  affairs.  Believing  that  there  wae 
no  prosi)ect  for  improvement,  he  recently  went  to  Jerusalem  for  the  pur 
pose  of  looking  into  the  conditions  with  a  view  to  removing  his  busi 
iiess,  but  he  reported  that  matters  were  in  a  deplorable  state  there: 
that  the  people  were  poor,  went  barefooted,  and  had  more  need  o: 
bread  than  shoes. 

I  then  visited  the  establishment  of  Mr.  ISTorvick,  who  has  been  fiftj 
years  in  the  business  and  reported  to  be  the  pioneer  cloth  manutac 
turer  in  this  section  of  country.  He  has  both  steam  and  hand  factories 
and  employs  about  70  men.  In  the  steam  iactory  he  employs  Chris 
tians  for  reasons  already  stated.  He  also  reports  business  terribly  de 
pressed,  and  stated  that  a  short  time  ago  the  maiuifacturers  called  y 
meeting  with  a  view  of  taking  concerted  action  to  reduce  AA^ages  of  em 
])loyes.  He  refused  to  join  this  inoA- ement,  saying  that  they  now  were 
barely  above  starvation  point,  and  if  compelled  to  go  below  that  ht 
Avould  slop  entirely.  All  of  his  hand  machines  are  in  operation  on 
short  time  in  order  that  eacli  of  his  workmen  may  have  some  employ- 
ment. 

I  stopped  at  a  blacksmith  shop  near  by,  the  owner  of  which,  Mr, 
Korvick  informed  us,  could  be  heard  hammering  at  3  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  An  iron  i)low,  chiefly  of  wrought  iron,  the  only  wood  about 
it  being  the  ends  of  the  handles,  an  implement  such  as  is  used  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  he  makes  and  sells  for  5  rubles  each.  His  laborer  Ava? 
a  soldier  Avho  had  served  liA^e  years  in  the  Caucasus.  He  was  sent  to  the 
Pale  after  completing  his  service,  returning  to  the  village  where  he 
lived  before  drafted,  but  it  was  held  that  he  had  '^changed  his  resi- 
dence," and  Avas  therefore  not  permitted  to  reside  there.  We  also  met 
at  the  house  of  this  blacksmith  a  Avoman,  temi)orarily  liAang  there  as  a 
charity  subject,  who  said  she  had  a  husband  and  eight  children,  who 
lived  t\A'enty-four  years  in  one  i)lace,  in  a  village,  cultivating  the  laud 
and  running  a  dairy  under  a  lease.  Another  person  bid  higher  for  the 
lease  and  compelled  them  to  vacate.  They  desired  to  change  to  another 
place  in  the  same  a  illage,  but  it  was  held  that  would  change  residence, 
and  therefore  they  AA^ere  forced  to  lea\^e.  The  family  has  been  here  six 
weeks,  unable  to  obtain  employment,  and  did  not  know  what  to  do.  This 
house  Avas  small,  the  furniture  rude  and  scant,  consisting  of  a  table  and 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     87 

'  few  chairs,  but  I  noticed  books  on  tlie  shelves  and  some  clieap  pic- 
jires  on  the  walls.    The  blacksmith\s  son,  a  weaver,  went  to  Amei^ca 

ont  six  weeks  ago,  but  no  ncAvs  has  yet  been  received  from  him. 

In  the  neighborhood  was  a  carpenter  shop  where  formerly  ten  men 
ere  emploj-ed,  and  now  there  is  but  one,  and  he  works  twelve  hours 
er  day.  I  also  met  here  a  woman  who  said  her  son  had  been  some 
^ars  in  America.  He  started  a  little  dairy  with  two  cows,  bought  on 
'edit,  and  now  has  twenty  cows  of  his  own,  and  she  considers  him  on 
je  high  road  to  fortune. 

i  I  then  visited  a  tinsmith  shop  and  learned  that  the  proprietor  had 
een  in  America,  where  he  lived  eighteen  months  and  earned  $12  per 
"eek.  He  returned  to  Russia,  he  said,  on  account  of  his  aged  parents, 
id  reported  that  he  Avas  doing  well  here  at  present,  because  he  has  a 
)ecialty  in  the  manufacture  of  cylindrical  forms  used  in  the  cloth  man- 
[facturing  establisliments  here.  Hh  has  practically  a  monoj)ly  of  this 
ork,  but  tliinks  this  will  not  last  more  than  another  year  at  the  out- 
de,  as  others  will  become  as  skillful  as  he  in  this  direction,  and  their 
)mpetition  will  force  prices  to  the  low  standard  prevailing  here.  He 
)oke  kindlj^  of  America,  and  when  in  the  course  of  time  nature  releases 
im  from  the  obligaticm  which  brought  him  back,  he  expects  to  return 
>  our  country.  It  was  evident  that  his  brief  exi^erience  in  America 
ad  not  proved  detrimental  to  him.  One  of  his  workmen  arrived  here 
cm  St.  Petersburg  about  six  weeks  ago.  He  had  not  yet  been  or- 
jefed  out,  but  realized  that  his  permission  to  stay  there  was  but  a 
latter  of  short  time,  and  finding  an  opportunity  for  work  here,  although 
t  a  lower  price,  concluded  to  take  advantage  of  it.  At  St.  Petersburg 
e  earned  from  10  to  15  rubles  per  week,  here  only  4J  rubles.  He 
irved  his  time  in  the  ixrmy  and  received,  besides  rations  and  clothing, 

J  ko])ecks  (about  12^  cents)  per  month. 

The  foUowing  prices  paid  for  labor  at  the  various  places  visited  were 
stained  from  the  men  and  corroborated  by  the  employers: 

Hod  carriers,  when  employed,  30  kopecks  per  day  of  lOJ  hours.  No 
ork  in  winter. 

Carpenters,  in  summer,  5  to  0  rubles  per  week;  3  rubles  in  winter 
hen  at  work. 
'  Bricklayers,  4  to  8  rubles  per  week.     No  work  in  winter. 

Laborers,  40  kopecks  })er  day  in  summer;  little  or  no  work  in  winter. 

One  of  the  foremen  whom  we  met  in  a  tannery  receives  10  rubles  per 
eek.  He  formerly  lived  in  New  York  and  NcAvark,  N.  J.,  earning 
2.50  to  $3  per  day,  but  as  his  wife  would  not  join  him  in  America  he 
iturned. 

Tannery  workmen  receive  from  2 J  to  G  rubles  per  week. 

A  street  paver  stated  he  made  4  rubles  per  week  in  summer  and  2  in 
inter  when  he  had  work.  This  man  has  six  children,  and  for  school- 
ig  pays  10  rubles  per  year.  A  little  boy  about  10  years  of  age  was 
iiployed  in  assisting  the  paver.  He  receives  15  kopecks  per  day. 
.nother  boy,  about  15  years  old,  receives  25  kopecks  per  day,  but  in 
16  winter  they  are  unemployed ;  the  money  they  earn  goes  to  their 
arents. 

Cloth  weavers  receive  5  to  8  rubles  per  week  when  steadily  em- 
loyed;  boys,  IJ  rubles;  girls  and  women,  IJ  to  2J  rubles. 

Treers  in  boot  and  shoe  factories  earn  3.J  rubles"  per  week;  boys  in 
lis  department  IJ  rubles  per  week.  One  boy  who  earns  1  ruble  and 
)  kopecks  per  week  reported  that  he  had  a  father,  brother  and 
ster  in  New  York  who  left  about  a  year  ago.  He  did  not  know  what 
ley  earned  but  they  are  sending  money  to  the  mother,  who  graduated 


88      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

at  the  gymnasium  here  and  who  remains  with  four  children  andl 
grandmother.  The  family  exx^ects  to  join  those  in  New  York  befo 
long  and  the  little  fellow  is  envied  by  his  shopmates  because  of  I 
superior  prospects.  Another  young  man  earns  3  rubles  per  weej 
of  which  he  gives  his  parents  a  portion  and  is  saving  the  balancj 
after  paying  living  expenses,  to  go  to  America  with.  A  story  was  to 
us  of  another  boy  in  this  shop  who  received  1  ruble  and  50  kopec' 
l^er  week,  lived  on  50  kopecks  (25  cents)  per  week,  saved  the  balanc 
and  left  for  America  in  July  last. 

Hand-made  horse  shoes,  put  on,  cost  from  15  to  20  kopecks  eacl 
the  best  new  shoes,  however,  costl  ruble  per  set  of  four,  put  on. 

On  returning  to  the  hotel  we  were  agreeably  suri)rised  to  find  a  ca] 
from  Messrs.  Levy  &  Sons,  upon  which  was  written  in  English,  ^'"VS 
are  Americans  and  would  be  pleased  to  have  you  designate  some  hoi 
and  place  convenient  to  you  to  ha^-^  us  call." 

In  accordance  with  the  request  we  met  these  gentlemen  in  the  eve 
ing.  It  was  learned  from  them  that  the  father  was  born  in  the  viciuiv 
of  Bjalystok,  married  here,  and  went  to  America  some  twenty  yea' 
ago,  where  he  first  worked  as  a  laborer  on  a  railroad.  He  visited  vai 
ous  parts  of  our  country,  and  finally  settled  in  Hamilton,  Can  ad 
where  he  amassed  a  comfortable  competency.  His  Avife  being  vei 
much  attached  to  the  old  home,  besought  him  to  return  to  Eussi 
which  he  did,  taking  \^ith  him  $20,000  in  money,  the  result  of  his  labor' 
He  settled  in  Bjalystok  and  started  a  shoddy  manufactory.  Fro' 
others  we  learned  that  he  has  accumulated  a  handsome  fortune  in  h 
business;  his  natural  shrewdness,  aided  by  his  American  experienc 
made  him  an  easy  winner  in  the  competition  for  wealth.  He  told  V. 
that  he  now  employed  about  250  men,  his  principal  factory  being  aboi 
7  English  miles  from  the  city.  He  pays  his  employes  the  going  rate 
whicii  are  from  1  to  2  rubles  per  week  for  women  and  boys,  and  2  to! 
rubles  per  week  for  men.  He  has  an  intense  longing  for  America,  ad 
confidently  expects  to  end  his  days  here.  His  son  is  an  intelligei' 
young  gentleman,  born  in  Minnesota,  and  speaks  the  English  langua^ 
perfectly,  as  well  as  German,  llussian,  and  Tolish.  That  he  has  in 
bibed  strong  American  patriotism  was  made  evident  in  his  con  vers; 
tion,  and  upon  breaking  up  a  protracted  but  pleasant  visit,  he  desire 
us  to  salute  for  him  the  "Statue  of  Liberty  Enlightening  the  World 
Mr.  Levy  is  one  of  the  rare  specimens  we  have  met  in  this  countr 
who,  foreseeing  the  approachiiig  storm  directed  against  the  non-ortb 
dox,  wisely  obtained  through  influential  i)ersons  a  permit  to  remain  i 
Russia,  from  the  minister  of  the  interior,  approved  by  two  other  cab 
net  officers.  He  pays  the  usual  tax  of  a  merchant  of  the  first  guile 
1,000  rubles  per  year.  When  we  asked  Mr.  Levy  how  he  knew  aa 
were  in  the  city,  he  said :  "The  entire  town  is  aware  of  it;  the  l^e^^ 
has  spread  like  wildfire  that  Americans  are  here,  and  are  agents  < 
Baron  Hirsch  sent  to  arrange  and  form  emigrant  committees."  Tlii 
was  corroborated  by  the  visits  of  several  individuals  and  by  a  commi 
tee  claiming  to  represent  40  persons  Avho  desired  information  on  tl 
subject.  The  crowds  that  accunmlated  wherever  we  went  suggeste 
the  wisdom  of  expediting  our  movements  here  in  order  that  we  migl 
complete  our  business  and  leave  the  city  before  being  interfered  wit 
by  the  police. 

September  5, 1891. — Commissioner  Kempster  having  arrived  we  visite 
the  Jewish  home  for  old  peoi)le.  The  institution  is  supported  by  tli 
meat  tax  specially  levied  upon  Jews,  and  at  present  contains  20  me 
and  20  women.    The  building  was  being  generally  renovated,  as  i 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     89 

1  sual  every  summer,  but  everything  indicated  neatness  and  comfort  for 

iieai^'ed  inmates.     As  onFriday,  tliecrowd  gathered  on  the  outside  to  see 

:  he  foreigners  and  ahnost  bhjcked  the  street.     The  inmates  of  the  home 

t -ay  nothing  for  board  or  clothing  and  are  made  quite  comfortable  in 

riieir  declining  years,  even  receiving  jwcket  money  for  small  exi)enses. 

.  We  next  examined  an  institution  possessing  decidedly  novel  and 

fyiteresting  features  named  the  ^'Charitable  Loan  Association."    There 

rre  two  of  these  in  the  cit^  based  upon  the  same  benevolent  principles, 

'he  one  visited,  now  eight  years  established,  has  a  capital  of  0,500, 

rhe  other,  8,000  rubles.    The  business  is  that  of  pawnbroker,  loaning  to 

lie  poor  without  interest,  save  a  nominal  charge  of  1  kopeck  per 

ruble  to  pay  the  expense  of  clerk  hire.     This  is  in  pleasing  contrast 

?rith  the  pawn  shops  under  the  direct  management  of  the  Kussian  city 

1  authorities  in  Minsk,  where  the  interest  charged  is  at  the  rate  of  18 

er  cent  per  annum.     So  far  as  details  are  concerned  the  association  is 

?jOnducted  on  the  general  i)rinciples  of  the  pawn  shop,  except  that  there 

15  no  charge  beyond  the  small  fee  referred  to,  and  that  the  money  bor- 

f  owed  may  be  returned  in  instalments  in  any  amount  desired  by  the 

fdiower,  and  that  tliey  must  repay  at  least  one-third  of  the  loan  within 

ix  months,  although  extensions  of  time  are  usually  obtained  Avhen 

.  applied  for. 

s;  Within  the  past  two  years  the  managers  have  been  unable  to  supply 

>|lie  demand  for  money,  and  all  of  the  cax)ital  of  both  institutions  is 

»jOw  outstanding.    They  have  thus  far  been  comi^elled  to  sell  very  few 

hrticles  pledged  as  security,  and  the  greatest  leniency  is  observed,  as 

lie  business  is  conducted  purely  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor.    IS'ot  more 

i;:iii  200  rubles  per  year  have  been  realized  from  such  sales,  although 

iicy  have  a  number  of  overdue  loans  which  have  been  permitted  to  run 

•.V  three  years.    The  articles  pledged  consist  of  jewelry,  candlesticks, 

,amovars,  clothing,  clocks,  and  a  variety  of  household  utensils.   These 

'  hings  speak  eloquently  of  the  distress  which  prevails;  some  of  the 

wclry  and  more  expensive  articles  here  seen  indicating  clearly  that 

iiicliing  want  is  not  confined  to  the  so-called  lower  stratum  of  liii- 

<iMnity.    The  building  is  fireproof  and  is  crowded  to  its  utmost  ca- 

a(-ity,  although  the  articles  are  packed  away  in  systematic  order. 

Tiiere  is  another  charitable  loan  association  in  this  city,  managed  by 

(Vv  ish  ladies.    Iso  interest  is  charged  on  loans,  and  all  that  is  re- 

iiiied  by  the  managt^aent  is  a  sort  of  certificate  from  some  known  re- 

ponsible  person  that  the  applicant  is  worthy. 

We  inspected  a  Jewish  hospital  for  men  and  women,  having  a  ca- 
pacity tor  70  inmates.    It  receives  10,000  rubles  per  annum  from  the 
Hat-tax  fund,*  and  this,  with  the  income  derived  from  real  estate  do- 
;;tt'd  in  more  pros[)erous  times  and  some  annual  subscriptions  amount- 
il;  to  about  5,000  rubles,  covers  all  expenditures.     At  present  there 
It'  14  inmates,  sickness  being  less  frequent  in  summer  than  in  winter. 
"here  is  also  a  chemical  dispensary  for  the  poor  connected  with  the  in- 
titution  furnishing  tickets  for  prescriptions  at  the  uniform  rate  of  10 
opecks  each,  and  which  are  accepted  and  compounded  at  the  various 
•i  pharmacies  about  the  city.     During  the  month  of  August  601  prescrip- 
ions  of  this  kind  were  issued.     The  staff  of  the  establishment  consists 
f  a  president,  three  assistant  physicians,  besides  a  volunteer  statf  of 
)cal  physicians  who  serve  without  pay.     In  addition  to  this  there  is  a 
I  itaff  of  hospital  clerks,  all  of  whom  serve  at  moderate  com'pensation, 
'  he  chief  receiving  '25  rubles  per  month  without  board  or  lodging,  and 
icli  of  the  assistants  10  rubles  with  board     Five  nurses  are  paid  IG 


*  A  special  tax  levied  upon  Jews. 


ii 


90     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

rubles  eacli  per  month  witli  board,  one  cook  60  rubles,  the  other 
rubles  per  year  with  board.  The  superintendent  of  the  hospital  i 
ceives  (iOO  rubbles  per  year  without  board.  The  hospital  was  cle^ 
well  ventilated  and,  apparently,  the  sick  were  carefully  attended  to. 
We  next  visited  a  school  for  Jewish  boys  of  the  poorer  class  havi 
a  present  attendance  of  75  ranging  in  age  from  8  to  12  years.  V 
annual  expenses  of  conducting  this  institution  are  about  3,300  rubles, 
which  2,500  comes  from  the  meat  tax,  the  deficiency  being  made  up 
contributions.  There  are  but  two  school  hours  daily,  towards  evenii 
the  cliiklren  being  at  work  during  the  day.  The  earnest  desire  of  t 
Jews  to  obtained  some  sort  of  an  education  for  their  children  was  aga 
illustrated  in  this  little  school.  There  are  no  similar  Eussian  instil 
tions  in  this  city. 

GRODNO. 

September  6^  1891. — We  reached  Grodno  late  Saturday  evening,  si 
rendering  our  passports  ux)on  arrival,  as  usual,  but  after  breakfast  ne 
morning  we  were  ordered  to  appear  personally  before  the  pristav  i 
examination  before  our  passports  could  be  vised.  This  was  the  fii 
time  we  were  cited  to  appear  before  an  ofi&cial,  the  reason  for  which 
not  yet  understood,  as  theretofore  our  passports  were  i^romptly  vis 
and  returned  to  us,  and  as  our  time  at  this  place  was  limited,  the  c 
lay  resulted  in  some  inconvenience.  We  were  accompanied  by  one 
the  most  prominent  citizens  of  the  place,  whose  acquaintance  we  h: 
previously  made,  and  who  fortunately  came  up  just  as  we  were  abo 
to  start.  To  his  kindly  offices  we  feel  that  we  are  indebted  for  prom 
decision  and  disposal  by  the  pristav. 

Arriving  at  the  place,  we  were  ushered  into  a  small  office,  where  ^ 
found  two  clerks  and  eight  gendarmes.  Crouched  in  a  corner  was 
poor,  dejected-looking  Jew  and  wife,  with  two  children,  whose  appei 
ance  indicated  terror,  poverty,  and  distress.  Our  passports  were  lyii 
on  the  table,  and  each  was  carefully  scrutinized,  after  which  questio 
were  put  to  us  and  answers  recorded.  The  secretary  of  the  Comm 
sion  was  first  catechised  as  to  his  name,  age,  and  then  his  religio 
One  of  the  commissioners  when  questioned  as  to  his  religion,  repli<' 
curtly,  '^American."  The  answer  seemed  to  stagger  the  official  for 
moment,  he  evidently  not  recognizing  this  form  among  the  creeds,  b 
it  was  so  recorded.  The  other  commissioner  was  similarly  questione 
and  when  asked  ^' What  is  your  religion!"  the  pristav  said  somethii 
in  Russian  to  his  clerk,  which  our  interpreter  afterwards  informed 
was  '''•  These  Americans  have  no  religion."  After  this  ceremony  w 
completed  and  some  other  formalities  complied  with  not  necessa: 
elsewhere,  but  considered  judicious  in  Russia,  we  were  bowed  out  wi 
great  courtesy  and  politeness,  and  permitted  to  go. 

We  then  visited  the  wood  and  log  yard  on  the  banks  of  the  Nieme 
Logs  are  rafted  to  the  city  and  allowed  to  remain  in  the  river  until  sol 
then  brought  ashore  by  workmen.  The  banks  are  sloping,  and  the  rai 
wade  into  the  river,  frequently  to  the  waist,  to  do  this  work,  which 
the  spring  and  fall  is  a  severe  strain  upon  physical  endurance.  F 
this  they  receive  50  kopecks  (25  cents)  per  day.  Our  visit  was  on  Sii 
da}?-,  and  therefore  little  of  this  work  was  being  done,  but  there  we 
nevertheless  numbers  of  men  on  the  bridge  waiting  for  an  opportuni 
to  perform  this,  or  any  other  kind  of  labor.  They  were  evidently  uud 
the  impression  that  we  were  enq^loyers,  and  gathered  about  us  excited 
soliciting  work.    One  man,  somewhat  advanced  in  years,  was  special 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     91 


itfLnportimate  in  liis  appeal,  saying:  ''We  need  bread;  my  children  are 

^Luiigry;  will  it  finally  become  necessary  to  drown  onrselves?"    All 

,,  bont,  men  were  standing  in  gronps  earnestly  discussing  tlie  situation. 

jijome  were  seated  upon  the  steps  of  a  very  large  and  at  one  time  hand- 

^jome  structure  across  the  street.     Asking  what  it  was,  we  were  told 

,  jjat  it  was  formerly  a  Polish  Catholic  church,  which,  after  the  uprising 

"  f  1863,  Avas  converted  into  a  barracks  by  the  Eussian  authorities  for 

le  use  of  the  soldiery.     All  images  had  been  removed  from  the  church, 

nd  every  emblem  originally  designed  to  denote  its  sacred  character 

ad  been  taken  awa}^     In  the  square  opposite  there  were  seen  a  num- 

■  ■erof  men  waiting  for  work,  and  remarking  upon  the  extent  of  the 

'..athering,  ^ve  were  told  that  it  was  smaller  than  usual  on  account  of 

ps  benig  Sundaj^ 

From  this  place  we  proceeded  to  the   extensive  establishment  of 

hereschewski  &  Eussoty,  manufacturers  of  tobacco,  cigars,  and  cigar- 

,:ttes.    These  gentlemen  have  been  twenty-one  years  in  the  business, 

,nd  employ  between  1,200  and  1,300  people,  all  Jews,  850  women  and 

.  iris  and  400  men  and  boys.    The  work  is  carried  on  in  a  large  three-story 

^.asement  building,  not  overcrowded,  light  and  well  ventilated.     Busi- 

;  ess  was  reported  as  being  fair,  and  it  was  made  manifest  upon  inspec- 

/jion  wliy  they  can  still  easily  meet  competition.     The  proprietors  are 

jj'ogressive,  energetic  persons,  and  have  the  latest  improved  machinery 

jp  do  much  of  the  work  which  in  every  other  tobacco  factory  we  visited 

3  done  by  hand.     In  the  office  we  found  a  number  of  diplomas  and  cer- 

[jificates  of  excellence  of  Avork  in  their  liiu^  from  various  international 

.1  exhibitions,  among  them  one  from  New  Orleans,  which  occuijied  a 

lirominent  place  on  the  Avail.    The  pay  of  employes  in  thcAarious  de- 

,.artments  of  this  establishment  ranges  as  follows:     Chief  engineer,  18 

j.Libles  per  month  J  a  few  of  the  foremen,  10  rubles  per  week,  among  them 

ne  Avho  invented  and   constructed  scAcral  machines  to  make  paper 

ylinders  for  cigarettes.     The  other  employes  receive  from  35  kopecks 

b  5  rubles  per  week,  according  to   age,  experience,  and   cai)ability. 

Tours  are  from  G  a.m.  to  9  p.  m.,  with  tAvo  hours'  intermission  for  meals. 

'he  ages  of  the  employes  range  from  8  to  70  years,  but  as  they  are  re- 

juired  to  be  not  less  than  12,  the  tiniest  midget  in  the  lot  promptly 

nswered,  "I  am  12  years  old."    It  Avas  plain  to  see  that  only  overpower- 

ig  necessity  compels  these  little  ones  to  labor,  and  here,  as  in  many 

E'^^er  places,  the  conditions  have  answered  the  query,  ^^  Why  do  they 
igratef  From  one  diAdsion  of  this  establishment  about  00  Avomen 
1  girls  have  gone  to  America  during  the  past  five  months,  upon 
■ickets  or  Avith  money  sent  by  husbands  or  relatives  Avho  preceded 
hem.  The  cliildren  who  aa- ere  asked,  rei)lied  that  they  were  able  to  read 
nd  Avrite  in  HebrcAv  and  Eussian.  The  Avages  they  earn  go  to  their 
a  rents.  In  reply  to  the  question  as  to  whether  these  people  were 
(Mtiperate  and  honest,  the  proprietor  stated  that  ^'In  the  Avhole  history 
f  the  establishment  there  has  never  been  one  case  of  drunkenness  or 
heft,  and  the  morals  of  the  girls  are  of  the  highest  character." 

They  sell  the  product  of  their  establishment  chiefly  in  Poland,  but 
Iso  have  a  large  trade  in  Eussia  j)roper,  the  monthly  output  being 
,000,000  cigars  and  o\^er  20,000,000  cigarettes.  One  of  the  proprietors 
tated  to  us  that  he  desired  to  live  in  the  country  for  a  few  months,  on 
ccount  of  the  illne«s  of  his  Avife;  but  permission  was  refused,  until 
inally,  upon  appeal  to  the  governor,  this  high  privilege  was  obtained. 
Ic  also  reported  that  lately  a  notification  had  been  received  that  those 
iving  in  the  villages  of  this  guburnium  before  1882,  and  those  whose 
cases  of  farm  lands  had  expired,  could  not  renew  them,  and  all  must 


92      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

leave  for  tlie  cities   or  towns.     We  were   also  informed  that  frcMlH 


0i 


tief 


20,000  to  30,000  people  depended  for  a  living  upon  the  cultivation 
tlie  soil  iu  tins  province,  and  tlie  distress  wliich  will  ensue  upon  t] 
enforcement  of  this  order  can  hardly  be  conceived. 

A  large  brick  building  in  the  vicinity  was  in  process  of  constructio 
and  here  we  found  boys  only  9  yeaijs  old,  and  others  not  more  than  1 
carrying  bricks  and  mortar  to  the  top  of  the  building  in  racks  or  box 
slung  on  the  back,  knaj)sack  fashion,  sui^plyiiig  the  masons  at  wor 
The  wages  paid  to  these  children  were  IJ  rubles  per  week,  witho 
board.  One  of  these  little  9-year-old  fellows  was  the  most  cheerful 
the  lot.  He  had  not  yet  reached  the  age  to  realize  the  misery  of  h 
condition,  and  was  elated  because  he  had  work  to  do. 

From  here  we  went  to  a  Jewish  hospital,  having  80  inmates,  su 
ported  in  i)art  by  the  meat  tax  already  referred  to  and  the  deficienc 
made  up  as  usual  by  contributions  from  tlie  Jews.  The  benefits  of  th 
hospital  are  not  confined  to  the  Jews  residing  in  this  city,  but  embrat 
also  people  in  the  towns  and  townlets  near  by.  While  the  institutic 
h  evidently  well  managed  and  the  sick  kindly  cared  for,  the  lack  ■ 
means  is  plainly  evident  and  everything  was  conducted  upon  the  bas 
of  the  strictest  economy.  At  this  place  we  met  a  Mr.  Marcus,  son  • 
the  superintendent,  who  greeted  us  in  well-expressed  English.  He 
an  American  citizen,  has  lived  nine  years  in  the  State  of  ]^ew  York,  an 
returned  to  this,  his  native  city  a  few  weeks  ago  to  claim  his  bride,  an 
Avith  her  expected  to  sail  for  the  land  of  his  adoption  next  week.  E 
is  a  fine,  stalwart  yoiing  man,  whose  demeanor,  contrasted  with  that « 
his  former  friends,  was  so  marked  as  to  call  for  exclamations  of  surprii 
from  the  guides  who  accompanied  us.  His  uppearance,  and  his  stati 
ment  that  he  was  earning  from  $18  to  $22  per  week  for  the  same  lab( 
for  which  he  had  received  4  rubles  here,  will  furnish  ample  reason  f( 
the  emigration  of  several  of  his  friends. 

His  visit  to  his  old  home  was  attended  with  some  difficulties.    H 
had  a  passport,  properly  vised  at  Bremen,  Avhich  he  exhibited  at  tli 
Kussian  border,  but  when  he  stated  that  he  was  a  Jew,  in  reply  to 
demand  as  to  his  religion,  he  was  informed  that  he  could  go  no  farthe 
He  explained  that  he  was  going  to  his  old  home  for  the  purpose  ( 
being  married  and  intended  to  return  to  America  with  his  wife  in  on 
week.    He  was  told  to  write  to  the  governor  of  the  province  or  th 
minister  of  the  interior  at  St.  Petersburg  to  secure  admission  to  tb 
country,  and  that  a  decision  might  be  expected  in  about  four  week^|''^ 
He  said  that  he  could  not  wait  so  long,  so  it  was  suggested  that  he  coul 
telegraph,  as  that  course  would  probably  bring  an  answer  in  about 
week.    As  his  wedding  day  had  been  previously  fixed,  and  was  but  tw 
days  off,  he  left  his  trunk  and  made  his  way  clandestinely  across  t' 
border.     He  was  in  Grodno  without  reporting  himself  oificially,  and 
pected  to  get  out  of  the  country  as  he  had  come  in,  which  he  was  s 
cessful  in  doing,  as  we  have  since  seen  him  on  this  side. 

We  stopped  at  the  bookbindery  of  Mr.  Chaiaim,  who  was  expelled  fr< 
Moscow  notwithstanding  that  he  had  an  honorable  discharge  from  t. 
army,  was  an  artisan  of  established  reputation,  and  had  many  influ 
tial  friends  who  used  every  eftbrt  to  have  an  exception  made  in 
case.    He  came  to  this  place  a  few  months  ago  and  opened  a  similar 
tablishment,  bringing  with  him  10  out  of  30  Russian  workmen  whom 
employed  in  Moscow  and  who  desired  to  go  with  him.     He  still  retain 
a  number  of  his  Moscow  customers  because  of  the  superiority  of  hi 
work.  11'^!' 

We  next  visited  a  Hebrew  orphan  school,  supported  out  of  the  meat 


iii, 


li 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     93 

iBx  fund  and  voluntary  contributions.     The  usual  close  economy  of 

Tanagemeut  was  manifest.     The  children  were  neat  in  api^earance,  and 

ilad  under  a  yearly  contract,  the  boot  and  shoe  contract  being  con- 

itioned  that  at  all  times  they  shall  have  good,  serviceable  foot-wear, 

'he  expense  of  which  is  defrayed  by  an  individual  member  of  their 

lixith.    As  it  was  nearly  time  for  departure  we  started  for  the  railroad 

iiitation,  stopping  on  the  way  at  the  house  of  a  gentleman  who  had  fur- 

Hfished  us  valuable  information  and  assistance  to  pay  to  him  our  ])ait- 

i(|!g  respects.     Following  us  into  his  entry  way  came  a  half  dozen 

i^illagers,  gaunt  and  hungrj^  in  appearance.     They  accosted  our  fiieiid, 

the  came  to  meet  us,  in  such  excited  tones  that  we  inquired  what  was 

jlie  matter.     Choked  by  emotion,  and  with  tears  streaming  down  his 

h,ce,  he  said,  "These  men  are  clamoring  for  work,  saying  they  are 

tarving    with    hunger."     Instantly   pockets   were  em])tied   of  loose 

ii'iliange,  which  was  j^roftered  to  them,  Imt  at  first  declined,  with  the 

ktatement  that  they  did  not  come  to  beg  for  money  but  for  work. 

hey  received  one  good  meal,  at  least,  on  that  day,  and  the  incident  is 

^lated  here  as  illustrative  of  the  desperate  condition  of  these  people. 

I)  stairs  in  the  same  house  we  fouiul  an  old  man  who  was  kept  by  the 

(Mitleman  in  question  as  an  object  of  charity,  he  having  no  place  to 

!).     He  had  been  a  soldier  under  the  Emperor  iS'icholas,  and  as  a  boy 

iis  baptized  in  the  Greek  church  by  order  of  the  Czar,  which  doubly 

ititled  him  to  the  privilege  of  residence  anywhere  in  Kussia.     He  is 

n\v  61  years  of  age  ami  desires  to  live  with  his  son,  who  is  an  artisan 

1  tlie  interior,  and  who  has  not  yet  been  expelled,  but  his  request  was 

'liised.     When  his  son  is  driven  out,  as  he  expects,  they  will  go  to 

ni  erica. 

On  reaching  the  railroad  station  a  young  man  approached  and  ear- 
's! ly  inquired  whether  he  couhl  enter  a  coUegein  America.  He  had 
irtly  finished  his  collegiate  course  here,  but  expected  to  leave  for  our 
kintry  and  desired  to  know  whether  he  could  enter  a  college  or  whether 
ie  fact  of  his  being  a  Hebrew  would  exclude  him.  He  was  inlbrnuul 
".lat  the  only  standard  required  here  was  that  of  education,  and  an  ex- 
uination  would  dttermine  his  standing  and  that  alone. 

WARSAW   (RUSSIA-POLAND). 

We  left  Grodno  at  12  o'clock,  Sunday,  September  6,  reaching  Warsaw 

8  p.  m.  of  that  day.     It  needed  no  notification  to  inform  us  when  we 

ft  the  Pale  and  entered  what  was  formerly  known  as  the  Kingdom  ol 

ipland,  as  the  difference  was  most  <lecidedly  marked.    The  helds  showed 

perior  natural  fertility,  a  higher  state  of  cultivation,    and  greater 

toductiveness.     The  buildings  are  of  a  better  character,  and  althougli 

I  any  of  the  roofs  are  thatched  with  straw,  there  was  a  neatness  and 

derly  arrangement  about  them  which  were  lacking  in  Rnssia  proper. 

•  ower  beds  at  the  stations   and  about  numy  of  the  little  one-story 

lildings,  as  well  as  the  dress  and  appearance  of  the  peo})le,  indicated  a 

jgher  order  of  civilization  than  tluit  we  had  met  in  llussia.     The  Jews 

Poland  have  thus  far  been  spai-ed  from  the  rigorous  orders  which 

jrced  their  race  from  inner  Russia  to  tlie  Pale,  and  from  the  agricultural 

igions  and  villages  to  the  towns,  town  lets,  and  cities  of  the  Pale,  but 

(e  more  intelligent  look  upon  their  advantages  as  only  of  a  temporary 

cjaracter. 

September  7,  79.9^. — A  very  able  gentleman  who  has  hved  many  years 
Poland,  and  is  a  court  officer,  furnished  us  with  the  following  inter- 
H.  Ex.  37 4a 


94      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

estiug  and  plausible  statemeut  which  relates  directly  to  the  question  < 
causes  inciting  emigration : 

It  is  not  from  motives  of  humanity  that  we  are  in  the  enjoyment  of  privilegi 
nearly  equal  to  the  Russians,  but  because  the  authorities,  in  order  to  further  U 
liolicy  of  Russifying  the  country,  aim  to  weaken  the  influence  of  the  Poles  in  the 
former  kingdom ;  therefore  Polish  soldiers^are  sent  to  Siberia,  the  Caucasus,  or  tl 
interior,  anywhere  but  Poland.  Jews  are  permitted  to  buy  and  lease  land  here  i 
order  to  get  it  out  of  the  hands  of  the  Poles.  Tliis  acquisition  of  land,  howevc 
while  easy  for  Russian  purchasers  is  more  difficult  for  the  Jew.  For  instance, 
Russian  peasant  may  sell  his  little  holding  to  a  Russian,  but  not  to  a  Jew ;  therefor 
the  Jew  can  only  purchase  the  larger  possessions.  The  owners  of  large  estates, 
prohtable,  have  no  desire  to  part  with  them;  hence  only  the  larger  possessions  thf 
are  run  down  are  available  to  the  Jew,  and  usually  these  are  beyond  his  means.  ] 
is  true  that  wealthy  Jews  could  buy  these  large  "^tracts  and  parcel  them  out  iut 
smaller  holdings;  and  while  these  tracts  can  now  be  purchased  at  a  very  low  prici 
comparatively,  the  uncertainty  as  to  the  future  and  the  fear  that  what  is  perinitte 
to-day  will  be  changed  to-morrow  prevent  such  transactions  wliich  might  be  di 
veloped  into  an  outlet  from  the  overcrowded  Pale.  A  Jew  has  the  right  to  loa 
money  on  mortgage  on  land,  but  on  foreclosure  sale  is  forbidden  to  purchase  to  say 
his  claim,  and  under  such  circumstances  must  depend  on  outside  non-Jew  purchaser 

The  large  landed  proprietor  can  not  readily  sell  his  possessions  in  small  parcels,  s 
the  mortgages  held  by  cliurch  institutions  and  bnnks  usually  cover  tlie  entire  preir 
ises.  The  authorities  aim  to  control  the  sale  of  these  large  estates  held  by  the  Polej 
in  order  to  dissipate  the  influence  wliich  such  gentlemen,  in  connection  witli  tb 
Polish  clergy,  have  with  the  surrounding  peasantry.  It  has  also  been  the  policy  t 
the  Russian  Government  to  win  the  support  of  the  Polish  small  i'armers ;  hence  a  ]an 
bank  has  been  established  by  the  Government  to  advance  about  60  per  cent  of  tli 
jinrchnse  price  of  small  farms  to  such  farmers,  but  the  Jews,  as  usual  are  excludet 
Another  evidence  of  the  intention  to  reduce  Polish  influence  is  furnished  in  thie,  ;il 
At  the  railroad  stations  and  in  the  cars  notices  furnishing  reqnisite  information  t 
travelers  were  for  a  long  time  jninted  in  French,  German,  Russian,  and  Polish;  lafi 
year  the  Polish  language  was  omitted,  and  this  is  general  throughout  Poland.  Tft 
carriers  at  the  railroad  stations  to  carry  passengers'  baggage  to  and  from  the  cai  P 
are  all  Polanders,  who,  within  the  past  year,  have  been  ordered  to  abstain  fr 
speaking  the  Polish  language.  They  must  reply  in  Russian,  which  many  of  thes 
speak  indifferently.  How  this  affects  the  traveling  public  from  this  city  may  b 
a]>preciated  when  the  fact  is  stated  that  of  the  450,000  inhabitants  but  about  12,0d 
are  Russians  and  270,000  Poles,  the  rest  being  Germans  and  Jews.  This  does  not  its 
elude  about  20,000  Russian  soldiers  stationed  in  this  city;  the  total  number  of  su«^ 
soldiers  in  Poland  is  estimated  at  about  200,000. 

While  the  condition  of  the  Jew  as  compared  to  his  brother  witliin  the  Pale  is  iniic' 
better,  yet  it  is  not  entirely  free  from  the  discriminating  eflects  of  Russian  rcgnh- 
tions  and  law.  For  instance,  there  is  in  this  city  a  Jewish  rommissioner,  actin 
under  the  sanction  and  supervision  of  the  Government,  who  levies  a  tax  on  the  ii 
come  of  Jews  above  the  artisan  class,  ranging  from  3  to  225  rubles  per  annum.  Froi 
this  they  are  permitted  to  i)ay,  subject  to  governmental  apjiroval,  the  salaries  t 
their  rabbis,  the  expense  of  maintaining  a  few  labor  and  artisan  schools,  and  a  Je"^^ 
ish  hospital.  This  tax  specially  levied  on  the  Jews  in  no  way  influences  any  othr 
tax  for  which  they  are  equally  liable  with  other  subjects.  Up  to  this  time  there  ha 
been  a  feeling,  not  particularly  cordial,  but  at  least  respectful,  between  the  I'ok 
and  Jews,  but  the  anti-Semitic  prejudice  has  seemingly  been  fostered  by  the  RuJ' 
siaiis  in  order  that  Jews  and  Poles  might  be  made  to  turn  against  each  otlier,  to  tli 
advantage  of  the  Russitication  policy,  which  appears  to  be  the  dominant  idea.  Tli 
Poles  being  stronger  and  more  influential  are  as  yet  second  in  this  three-cornere' 
struggle,  but  they  do  not  expect  to  escape  the  fate  of  being  ^'Rnssifled'^  in  th 
course  of  time,  their  nationality  having  already  been  blotted  from  the  map  of  th 
Avorld,  The  movement  is  also  being  directed  against  the  (jcrmans  in  Russin,  fo 
whom  they  have  little  regard.  A  project  is  now  before  the  Russian  Goveunincnt 
with  prospect  of  realization,  compelling  the  German  colonists  in  South  Russia  t 
dispose  of  their  lands  within  a  certain  fixed  period.  I  am  convinced  that  the  fort 
going  is  the  true  theory  underlying  the  policy  of  Russia,  which  in  substance  mean 
the  Russification  of  her  subjects  and  their  enforced  adherence  to  the  Greek  Church 

While  it  is  charged  that  the  feeling  against  the  Jews  is  based  upon  the  claim  tha 
they  are  usurers,  and  while  I  admit  that  in  respect  to  some  this  charge  is  true,  hu 
it  should  be  remembered  that  necessity,  growing  out  of  restrictions  and  special  legis 
lation,  has  developed  qualities  which  are  undoubtedly  evil  and  reprehensible,  'i  hi 
affects  but  a  sniali  class,  conqjaratively  speaking,  and  under  a  goverjiment  so  ahso 
lutely  under  the  control  and  power  of  a  single  individual,  can  be  at  once  certaiul; 
and  effectively  reached  by  Imperial  decree.     Let  the  Emperor  issue  his  edict  tha, 


ih  after  a  certain  date  no  promissory  note,  bond,  or  other  obligation  given  by  a  Chris 
;  tian  to  a  Jew,  unless  in  ordinary  transactions,  shall  be  v   " 

I 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      95 

bligation  given  by  a  Chris- 
alid,  and  this  business  will 
stop  at  once. 

A  prominent  Polish  j^fentlenien,  a  member  of  the  orthodox  Greek 
j!  Church,  whose  family  suffered  in  the  uprising  of  1863,  and  who  was 
j himself  for  some  years  a  political  exile  in  Siberia,  said  in  conversation 
about  the  Kussification  policy: 

I  Warsaw  was  once  the  proud  capital  of  a  kingdom ;  now  it  is  but  a  provincial  town. 
!  At  the  present  time  the  pressure  used  against  the  Jews  here  has  not  been  severely 
felt.  Those  forced  from  inner  Russia  by  edict,  as  well  as  those  compelled  to  leave 
•  the  pale  from  necessity,  do  not  wish  to  remain  in  Russian  dominions,  for  they  con- 
sider that  in  any  event  their  stay  would  be  limited,  and  therefore  prefer  to  go  to 
rsome  country  where  there  is  at  least  no  immediate  prospect  of  being  told  to  move  on. 
It  is,  however,  thebelief  of  av ell  informed  persons  that  it  is  but  a  question  of  a  short 
time  when  the  same  pressure  will  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  Jewish  population  in 
Poland  that  now  crushes  them  elsewhere.  In  consequence  of  this  unsettled  feeling 
commercial  transactions  are  all  made  with  reference  to  the  crisis  believed  to  be  ap- 
.proachiug.  Jews  Avill  not  purchase  property  even  at  one  quarter  of  its  value,  and 
Ibis  illustrates  the  financial  uneasiness  now  felt. 

September  8,  1891. — We  called  on  the  American  consul,  INFr.  Joseph 
Rawicz,  who  received  us  with  marked  kindness  and  j)roffered  his  serv- 
ices in  any  manner  desired  to  facilitate  our  inquiries,  aJthougli  he  had 
given  very  little  attention  to  emigration  matters.  His  reply  to  our 
consular  letter  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix. 

j    The  following  are  the  ruling  prices  paid  for  labor  and  food  at  War- 
saw:   Carx)enters,  locksmiths,    blacksmiths,  painters,  tinsmiths,  and 
glaziers,  5  to  8  rubles  per  week  in  summer;  no  work  in  winter.     Labor- 
jers,  50  to  80  kopecks  per  day;  shoemakers  and  tailors,  4  to  5  rubles 
[per  week;  tailoresses,  2  to  3  rubles  per  week;  factory  oi)eratives  about 
i25  per  cent  higher  tlian  at  Grodno.     Carters,.and  drivers  of  droschkies, 
5  rubles  i^er  week.     The  cost  of  food  is  no  higher  than  in  Grodno,  but 
^he  working  men  live  better.    Beef  costs  from  15  to  18  kopecks  per 
Russian  pound,  equal  to  five-si.xths  of  an  American  pound.     Butter 
about  40  kopecks  per  pound.     Salt  herrings  are  the  chief  article  of  diet 
of  the  working  men,  and  sell  for  from  3  to  4  kopecks  each.     Men's  boots 
long  legged)  cost  5  rubles;  women's  shoes  3.  It  is  estimated  that  it  costs 
annually  12  rubl;  s  [\,\:  a  man  and  8  for  a  woman  for  boots  and  shoes 
lalone.    A  suit  of  best  clothes,  coat,  trousers,  and  waistcoat,  such  as  are 
(^orn  there  by  mechanics,  costs    about  25  rubles;  a  suit  of  working 
blothes,  about  15.     Cap  costs  3  rubles,  and  overcoat  20.    For  under- 
I  j^lothing  and  hose,  about  8  rubles  per  annum  is  considered  a  fair  allow- 
\  ^nce.     The  clothing  for  a  mechanic  for  a  year  is  estimated  to  cost  about 
^0  rubles,  and  a  suit  of  clothes  must  be  made  to  last  from  two  to  three 
J^ears.    A  laboring  man  is  expected  to  expend  about  one-half  the  sum 
ppent  by  a  mechanic.     As  a  rule  the  working  man  can  afford  to  rent 
put  one  room  for  the  family,  the  average  cost  of  which  is  100  rubles  })er 
year,  prices  ranging  from  7  to  12  rubles  per  month,  with  20  rubles  i)er 
mnum  for  heating  the  apartment.     These  figures,  which  are  among  the 
nore  favorable  furnished  in  Russia,  are  suliiciently  explanatory  of  the 
•auses  '^ inciting  emigration"  without  taking  into  account  the  other 
onditions  recited,  and  in  reply  to  our  comments  upon  the  situation  our 
nformant  added  with  apparent  sincerity  as  to  its  relevancy,  "Funeral 
xpenses  are  cheap." 

Sefptemher  9,  1891, — It  having  been  stated  to  us  that  for  some  time 
»ast  emigration  was  stimulated  by  persons  representing  themselves  as 
I  ^ents  who  traded  upon  the  weakness  of  the  Polish  people,  we  called 


II 


96     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

uj)on  the  Rev.  Father  Sigmund  Ohehiierki,  who  is  farailiar  with  the 
subject,  and  from  him  obtained  the  following  statement: 

I  have  lately  returned  from  Brazil,  bringing  back  about  300  Catholic  Poles  whc 
had  been  induced  to  emigrate  to  that  country.  They  are  of  the  poorer  class  whose* 
ignorance  was  played  upon  by  unscrupulous  agents  employed  by  ]iersons  holding 
land  concessions  made  by  the  Government  of  Brazil,  Among  the  inducements  held 
out  were,  that  the  soil  Avas  productive  and  Easily  cultivated,  the  climate  mild  and 
the  natural  conditions  in  every  respect  far  superior  to  those  here.  Also  that  the 
Pope  had  purchased  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Brazil  and  was  parceling  it  out  to  the 
Polish  members  of  his  faith,  and  thatlf  they  remained  in  Poland  they  would  be  forced 
to  join  the  orthodox  Greek  Church.  These  agents  visited  the  smaller  villages, 
painted  glowing  pictures  of  the  beauties  of  that  country,  and  in  many  instances  attei 
leaving  forwarded  passage  tickets  to  Brazil,  which  in  the  mind  of  the  simple  peas- 
ant was  conclusive  proof  that  the  anxiety  of  the  Pope  for  his  temporal  welfare  was 
genuine.  By  such  methods  they  worked  up  an  emigration  craze  which  caused  a 
large  outflow  to  that  country.  The  Government  officials  have  lately  been  active  iu 
their  attempts  to  stop  this  swindling,  and  although  not  carried  on  openly  or  to  any 
great  extent,  it  still  exists. 

It  is  my  opinion  that  emigration  to  Brazil  is  a  failure;  the  climate  is  unsuitable, 
causing  sickness,  the  soil  is  poor  and  the  language  of  the  country  strange.  That 
Government  at  one  time  made  strong  etforts  to  induce  emigration,  offering  among 
other  thiugs  a  per  capita  premium,  and  the  influx  grew  to  large  proportions.  Those 
emigrating  there  were  composed  of  two  classes,  one  living  near  the  borders  of  Ger- 
many and  Austria  and  whose  chief  occupation  Avas  smuggling.  The  efforts  of  the 
interested  governments  having  largely  checked  or  permanently  stopx>ed  such  opera- 
tions, these  people  were  easily  induced  by  such  representations  to  improve  what 
seemed  to  them  a  golden  opportunity.  Another  class  was  made  up  from  the  manu- 
facturing districts.  Manufacturing,  especially  of  cloth,  is  very  much  depressed  and 
many  mills  are  standing  idle,  unable  to  meet  the  competition  of  those  more  fortu- 
nately situated  in  the  interior  of  Russia.  The  chief  feature  of  this  competition  is 
due  to  the  discriminating  railroad  tariff  rates,  which  by  direct  or  indirect  manipula- 
tion on  the  part  of  the  Russian  governmental  authorities  is  imposed  upon  Poland. 
It  costs  four  times  as  much  to  send  goods  from  Poland  to  Russia  as  it  does  to  ship  tlu 
same  class  of  freight  from  Russia  to  Poland.  The  emigration  from  Poland  to  tin? 
United  States  is  by  no  means  so  large  and  may  be  regarded  as  normal  in  volume. 
Emigrants  are  chiefly  attracted  there  by  the  reports  from  friends  and  relatives  who 
preceded  them,  and  which  are  very  diflerent  from  those  received  from  Brazil,  all  be- 
ing of  the  most  favorable  k  ind  and  expressive  of  satisfaction  with  the  change.  These 
people  are  of  the  better  class  of  our  industrial  force,  having  sufficient  means  to  pay 
their  own  fares,  and  while  many  of  them  niay  have  but  little  to  begin  life  with  on 
arrival  in  the  United  States,  they  are  hardy  and  industrious. 

In  an  interview  with  Mr. ,  he  said : 

The  Russian  Government  gave  to  a  number  of  its  noblemen  Polish  estates,  confis- 
cated after  the  uprising  of  1863,  These  estates  are  subject  to  entail,  and  therefore 
can  not  be  sold.  It  is  also  forbidden  to  lease  such  lands  to  Poles  or  Jews.  This  law 
is  evaded,  however,  by  hiring  tliese  interdicted  persons  as  managers,  under  agve<  ment 
that  the  estate  shall  yield  a  certain  sum  per  annum  to  the  owner.  As  many, of  the 
higher  officials  are  concerned  in  this  practice,  there  is  a  certain  protection  to  such 
methods,  and  the  evasion  of  conditions  imposed  on  the  class  of  estates  formerly  the 
property  of  the  Poles  is  feasible.  Up  to  this  time  no  serious  encroachment  upon  the 
civil  rights  of  the  Jews  has  resulted,  but  occasional  drops  indicate  that  the  shower 
■will  soon  come.  For  instance,  there  are  ten  or  twelve  officials  who  may  be  termed 
**  trade  justices",  authorized  to  take  cognizance  of  contentions  between  tradesmen, 
and  who  are  elected  annually  by  the  merchants  composing  the  trade  guilds.  These 
justices  are  separated  into  divisions,  the  chief  of  eacli  being  appointed  by  the  Impe- 
rial Government.  Those  Avho  are  elected  must  be  approved  by  the  minister  of  jus- 
tice at  St.  Petersburg,  and  while  as  yet  there  has  been  issued  no  decree  or  regnlation 
forbidding  the  election  of  Jews,  three  or  four  who  were  elected  as  usual  this  year 
failed  to  receive  such  approval  and  another  election  has  been  ordered.  One  such, 
elected  with  the  others,  Avas  born  a  Jew,  but  as  he  has  been  couA'crted  and  baptized 
into  the  Greek  Church,  his  election  was  promptly  approved  by  the  minister  of  jns- 
tice.  Again,  Jews,  who  up  to  this  time  were  classified  as  ''small  farmers",  were  per- 
mitted to  buy  parcels  of  land  from  others  of  tlip  same  class,  there  being  no  differciice 
made  in  this  respect  among  Poles,  Jews,  and  Russians,  but  the  last  publication  oi 
the  senate  (decisi<m  No,  76),  approved  by  the  Emperor  June  11,  and  piTulishod  July 
16,  1891,  in  paragraph  5  states  in  substance  that  Jews  are  forbidden,  even  if  they  are 
classified  as  farmers,  to  lease,  buy,  or  to  manage,  in  any  form  or  under  any  condi- 
tions, ''small  farmers"  parcels,  without  reference  to  existing  laws  to  the  contrary. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     97 

Paragraph  6  of  the  same  document  directs  that  in  the  sale  of  such  parcels  evidence 

inust*be  furnished  that  the  purchaser  is  not  a  Jew. 

,    Another  illustration  is  found  in  the  case  of  a  Jew  named  Nieman,  who  in  1872 

.  ihonght  a  parcel  of  laud  from  a  farmer,  all  formalities  being  observed,  and  the  pur- 

-,  chase  legally  approved  as  required  at  that  time,  it  being  then  undisputed  that  a  Jew 
had  a  legal  right  to  purchase.  Sixteen  years  afterward,  in  1888,  the  Russian  official 
iln  charge  of  farm  interests  began  suit  against  Nieman,  claiming  that  his  purchase 

:  ,was  illegal,  the  basis  of  the  complaint  being  that  although  Neiman  is  a  registered 
ifarna-r  it  is  not  desirable  that  farming  parcels  shall  be  sold  to  a  Jew,  inasmuch  as 
the  conunissioner  had  been  notified  that  at  a  meeting  of  the  council  of  the  Empire 
regret  was  expressed  that  small  parcels  of  land  were  being  sold  to  Jews  and  foreign- 

.  ers.     In  the  lower  court,  or  tribunal,  composed  of  farmers  and  Polish  land  gentry, 

,  jthe  sale  to  Nieman  was  approved.  The  commissioner  appealed  the  case  to  a  higher 
Kiourt,  constituted  of  Russian  crown  officials,  which  reversed  the  decision  already 
made,  disapproved  the  sale  to  Nieman,  and  the  land  was  sold  under  .process  of  law. 
jNiemau  appealed  to  the  senate  (the  highest  tribunal,  bearing  some  resemblance  to 

J  jour  Supreme  Court),  and  that  body,  on  the  13th  of  March,  1891,  reversed  the  decis- 
ion made  below,  on  the  sole  ground,  however,  that  'Hhe  question  of  the  status  of 

.  (the  Jew  as  a  farmer  was  not  raised  within  the  required  time,  and  therefore  the  court 
-below  erred." 

;  I    Mr. confirmed  the  statements  made  by  others,  that  the  Gov- 

'  lernment  desires  and  is  making  every  effort  to  encourage  small  Polish 
tanners,  to  weaken  the  influence  of  their  nobility,  and  that  farming 
interests  are  in  a  bad  condition,  the  credit  of  the  Polish  landed  gentry 
;  being  at  a  low  ebb  and  many  are  becoming  bankrupt  owing  to  the 
juncertaiiity  of  the  future.  Capitalists  decline  to  loan  money  on  or  to 
purchase  such  estates,  and  they  can  be  bought  now  for  less  than  half 
their  value. 
Continuing  he  said : 

'  jl   There  are  nearly  8,000,000  Christians  in  Poland  and  about  1,200,000  Jews,  and  if 
» the  project  of  driving  out  the  Jews  from  the  country  is  approved,  as  is  expected, 
•  the  distress  will  be  very  great  and  emigration  will  assume  larger  proportions  tlian 
'3ver.  The  Poles  areuot  now  allowed  to  holdjudicial  positions  except  those  of  an  inferior 
-  *iharacter.     In  all  joint  stock  associations  there  must  be  a  Russian  director  who, 
whether  active  or  passive,  receives  pay  although  he  may  not  have  a  ruble  invested 
therein.     The  schools  are  all  required  to  conduct  their  proceedings  in  Russian,  and 
■  •■  hUhough  hours  are  set  apart  for  the  study  of  Polish,  the  same  as  for  other  foreign 
languages,  the  children  are  forbidden  to  speak  to  each  other  in  the  Polish  tongue. 
Polish  newspa])ers  are  permitted  to  be  printed  and  circulated  as  \^et,  but  the  censor- 
ship is  more  severe  than  in  St.  Petersburg  or  Moscow.     Jews  with  long  coats  (the 
>  ^vearing  of  which  is  a  common  custom  among  them)  are  not  allowed  to  go  into  the 
public  parks. 

We  visited  the  cigar  factory  of  Polakiewicz  Brothers  (Jews),  the  largest 

3stablisliment  of  the  kind  in  Poland.    A  number  of  four-story  buildings 

fire  occupied  by  this  firm,  all  well  ventilated,  light,  and  am])le  for  the  ac- 

'  }3ommodation  of  the  1,100  employes,  all  of  whom  are  Jews  except  20. 

The  working  girls  and  women,  however,  were  plainly  of  a  diiferent  type 

from  tliose  we  had  seen  in  similar  estabhshments  within  the  Pale.     The 

[atter  were  more  intelhgent  in  appearance,  and  with  some  show  of  re- 

luement,  indicating  a  forced  necessity  for  this  kind  of  employment, 

^hich  had  not  always  been  their  lot.     Many  of  them  were  bright  and 

laudsome,  while  here  the  faces  were  far  from  prepossessing,  and  without 

indication  of  having  previously  held  a  better  station  in  life.     Upon  in- 

'  Quiry  we  found  that  most  of  the  women  came  from  southern  liussia. 

jDhe  ages  of  these  female  employes  do  not  run  down  into  childhood  years 

..  p  in  the  Pale,  additional  evidence  that  the  pressure  felt  within  the  Pale 

tiad  not  yet  extended  to  Russian-Poland.     The  compensation  of  opera- 

ives  here  Tyas  estiuiatcd  to  be  25  per  cent  to  30  per  cent  higher  than 

II  Crodno,  as  follows: 

Tobacco  sorters  (women),  50  to  GO  kopecks  (25  to  30  cents)  x)er  day. 

Pa(;kii]g  smoking  tobacco  is  done  by  gangs  of  five  who  woik  by  the 

H.  Ex.  235 7 


98     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

piece;  the  chiefs  of  tlie  gang  (men)  earn  from  28  to  30  rubles  ($14  to 
$15)  per  month,  the  others  (women)  about  35  kopecks  per  day. 

Hand  cutters  (men)  receive  from  8  to  10  rubles  per  week. 

Machine  cutters  (women)  50  to  60  kopecks  per  day. 

Oigar-makers  working  by  the  piece,  earn  from  5  to  G  rubles  per  week. 
Their  helpers  from  2  J  to  3  rubles.  The  principal  output  of  cigars  is  oi 
the  cheap  kind,  selling  at  the  rate  of  1  kopeck  or  one-half  cent  each, 
put  up  in  packages  of  five,  ten,  and  upwards.  The  cigarette  makers 
are  all  women,  and  earn  from  4J  to  5  rubles  per  week.  Each  has  a 
heli^er  earning  from  2  to  2J  rubles  per  week.  About  50  of  the  men  re- 
ceive from  20  to  24  rubles  per  month.  Business  was  reported  as  dull, 
and  competition  growing  more  severe,  although  it  was  evident  that  ii 
it  becomes  a  case  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest,  which  seems  quite  proba- 
ble, this  establishment  will  be  long  in  the  race,  as  its  management 
appears  to  be  of  the  progressive  kind,  and  is  equipped  with  the  best 
machinery,  making  their  own  gas,  of  which  they  use  a  large  quantity, 
not  only  for  illumination  but  in  the  preparation  of  packages,  etc. 

We  visited  a  school  for  the  education  of  the  children  of  poor  Jews, 
having  a  daily  attendance  of  204,  and  being  the  largest  of  several  ol 
these  institutions  in  the  city,  which  combined  have  ()50  pupils.  The 
school  hours  extend  over  the  day  and  the  usual  method  of  teaching  is 
employed  here  as  in  others  visited.  They  are  supported  by  the  Jewish 
community  out  of  the  taxes  levied  on  incomes  already  rel^erred  to. 

We  were  informed  by  the  cemetery  authorities  whom  we  visited  that 
the  rate  of  mortality  among  the  Jewish  community  in  this  city  aver- 
aged 4,200  out  of  a  population  of  about  150,000,  and  that  the  death  rate 
of  the  balance  of  the  population  was  still  higher. 

We  called  at  the  Jewish  Association  rooms,  where  we  found  a  large 
corps  of  clerks  and  other  employes  necessary  to  the  levying  of  the  in- 
come tax  before  mentioned,  and  the  collection  and  disbursement  of  the 
fiind,  and  had  explained  to  us  the  system  of  operation.  The  committee 
levies  according  to  income,  the  tax  ranging  from  3  to  225  rubles  per 
annum,  which  lor  the  year  1890  resulted  in  the  collection  of  01,000 
rubles.  Other  sources  of  revenue  swelled  this  amount  to  nearly  130,000 
rubles.  The  estimates  of  expenditure  must  be  submitted  for  approval 
of  the  Russian  Governmental  officials.  These  expenditures  are  for 
the  salaries  of  rabbis,  clerk  hire,  for  support  of  schools,  hospitals, 
and  other  charitable  purposes.  Upstairs  in  this  building  there  is  a 
department  where  complete  statistical  information  is  being  prepared 
concerning  all  matters  relating  to  the  social  and  economic  comlitions  oi 
the  Jews  in  Poland.  This  work  is  being  carefully  performed,  but  prom- 
ises to  be  incomplete,  for  when  the  committee  had  secured  returns 
from  about  three-quarters  of  the  entire  Jewish  population  the  Govern- 
ment oifioials  interfered  and  forbade  its  completion. 

Another  feature  of  the  association  work  is  the  pawn  sliop  con- 
ducted substantially  on  the  same  ju'inciples  as  that  at  Bjalystok.  Ko 
charge,  however,  is  made  either  for  fee  or  interest,  and  of  2,400  loans 
made  during  the  past  year,  some  as  low  as  1  ruble,  only  114  pledges 
were  sold  for  non-payment.  Asked  whether  the  loans  indicated  in- 
creasing poverty,  a  number  of  instances  were  cited  showing  that  former 
contributors,  taxed  for  income,  now  sought  loans  on  ])ledges.  The  in- 
crease in  value  of  the  pledges  offered  also  indicated  that  the  formerlj- 
more  fortunate  classes  were  now  driven  to  the  necessity  of  asking  to 
be  assisted  at  this  institution. 

We  also  called  on  Mr.  Block,  counsellor  of  state  (a  non-Jew),  a 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     99 

^•ealtlly  and  liigiily  educated  gentleman,  the  author  of  a  valuable 

;tati«tical  work,  and  who  has  collected  material  and  will  soon  be  pre- 

)ared  to  publish  another  showing  the  condition  and  status  of  the  Jews 

iompared  with  non-Jews.     He  commenced  this  work  originally,  in  the 

)elief  that  these  statistics  would  present  the  Jews  in  an  untavorable 

ight,  and  might,  to  a  certain  extent,  justify  some  of  the  measures  pre- 

;cribed  and  enforced  by  the  authorities.     His  investigations  caused  a 

omplete  change  of  opinion,  and  he  is  now  filled  with  hope  that  when 

lis  data  has  been  prepared  and  presented  to  the  emperor,  the  restric- 

ive  measures  expected  by  the  Jews  of  Poland  will  not  be  decreed. 

lis  theory  is  that  the  figures  prove  so  conclusively  tlie  dependence  of 

he  business  interests  of  the  Emx^ire  upon  Jewish  enterprise  that  the 

estrictions  in  inner  Eussia  and  the  Pale  will  result  disastrously  to 

.  iiussians  unless  common  sense  shall  finally  prevail.     He  has  also  a 

,.  gtroijg  faith  in  the  kind-heartedness  of  the  Emperor,  and  because  of  his 

-  pelief  that  he  gives  careful  scrutiny  to  every  paper,  petition  or  docu- 

:  nent  that  reaches  him  he  exx)e(,'ts  that  his  work,  finding  its  way  into 

^he  Emperor's  hands,  will  bring  about  a  better  understanding  and  cou- 

sequeiit  improvement  of  the  conditions  which  prevail.     He  also  cx- 

)iessed  his  firm  conviction  (as  others  had  done)  "that  the  re])()rt  of 

our  commission  will  throw  a  flood  of  light  upon  the  real  conditions 

A  hich  exist,  and  made  to  a  Government,  unbiased  by  local  interests 

md  free  from  anti-Semitic  prejudices,  it  can  not  fail  to  exert  a  powerl'nl 

uHuence  in  the  direction  of  better  regulations  for  the  harrassed  and 

)ersecuted  Jew." 

Continuing,  he  said: 

While  the  officials  iu  the  aihiiiiiistration  of  restrictive  measures  against  the  Jews 
.  .try  in  the  mauner  aiul  degree  of  pressure  exerted,  this  ditt'ereiice  is  due  ratlicr  to 
lie  several  iuterpretatioiis  of  the  wishes  of  the  higliev  authorities,  or  the  Euiperor, 
ind  tlierefore  just  as  soon  as  it  is  authoritatively  intimated  that  the  ruling  power  «lc- 
iires  to  have  the  pressure  relaxed  there  will  be  immcdiale  and  effective  relief. 

He  admitted  that  others,  who  feared  the  blow  would  fall  in  Pobmd 
IS  in  the  Pale,  had  reason  for  such  fears,  as  the  report  subnn'tted  for 
)])inions  but  not  yet  formally  otfered  by  the  minority  of  the  commis- 
sion recently  appointed  by  the  Kussian  Government,  received  the  aj)- 
'proval  of  the  Governor- General  (Gourko)  of  Poland,  accompanied  by 
his  statement  that  he  would  advise  the  striking  out  of  that  clause 
\  which  permitted  those  who  are  given  the  right  to  remain  on  the  land 
I  knd  in  the  villages  where  they  now  reside  to  shelter  and  provide  f^r 
their  aged  and  infirm  i)arents,  or  immediate  relatives  who  are  physi- 
'  pally  or  mentally  incapacitated  to  care  for  themselves,  on  the  ground 
;  that  such  leniency  would  be  abused,  and  pretended  parents  or  incapa- 
j  bles  would  be  fraudulently  jnovided  with  right  of  residence  within  the 
i  privileged  lines. 

I  j    The  work  of  Mr.  Block  will  present  comparative  statistics  ui)on  edu- 

I  cation,  occupation,  criminality,  military  service,  the  trade  currents,  etc. 

i  pe  also  analyzes  the  official  statistics  obtained  by  the  authorities, 

'  'pointing  out  those  that  are  correct,  and  demonstrating  the  errors  of 

the  others.     In  the  matter  of  criminality,  tlte  official  statistics  present 

I  ;the  Jew  in  an  unfavorable  light  as  compai-ed  with  the  Christian,  Avhich 

■  he  thus  accounts  for:  For  minor  offenses  committed  by  Jews,  they  are 

'ited  to  appear  before  tribunals  having  juries,  and  as  their  con\ictions 

aie  i-ecorded  they  are  reported  iu  the  statistics.    1  n  the  case  of  Eussians, 

the  a(;cused  is  tried  before  a  lesser  court,  a  sort  of  justice  of  the  peace, 

where  the  punishment  is  of  a  milder  type,  and  being  unrecoided,  finds 

no  ijlace  in  the  figures. 


100    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTEACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Mr.  Block  stated  also  that  one  great  reason  why  Jews  were  so  fre| 
quently  registered  as  tradesmen  instead  of  agriculturists  was  due  h 
the  fact  that  when  they  reach  a  new  place,  America  for  instance,  the^ 
are  unable  to  get  land  and  stock  farms  with  the  few  rubies  thej^  hav< 
at  command,  therefore  there  are  many  who  although  really  agricaltur 
ists,  but  without  the  means  to  engage  in  that  calling,  peddle  anc 
trade  and  call  themselves  merchants  and  tradesmen,  both  terms  beiu^ 
misnomers. 

Our  observations  in  Eussia  terminated  at  Warsaw,  as  from  thii 
point  we  proceeded  southerly  out  of  the  country.  To  complete  th( 
record,  we  present  in  the  Appendix  documents  and  statistical  informa 
tion,  in  addition  to  those  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  report,  all  oi 
which  are  believed  to  bear  directly  or  indirectly  upon  the  causes  whicl 
incite  emigration.  These  additional  papers  consist  of  abstracts  from 
Russian  laws  concerning  Jews,  certificates  of  artisanship,  receipt  foi* 
hospital  tax,  certificate  required  to  obtain  permission  to  go  abroad.! 
l)assports  of  persons  having  the  legal  right  to  live  anywhere  in  Russia! 
indorsed  with  peremptory  orders  to  leave  within  twenty-four  hours,  and 
various  other  passports  with  expulsion  orders,  population  statistics  oi 
the  cities,  towns,  and  townlets  of  the  Pale;  extracts  from  a  publication 
approved  by  the  censor,  describing  the  Jewish  agricultural  colonies  at 
Ekaterinoslav;  all  illustrative  of  the  conditions  prevailing  and  furnish- 
ing abundant  reasons  for  emigrating. 

Tlie  numerous  cases  cited  i)resent  salient  features,  representing 
typical  specimens  of  the  various  grades  of  persecutions,  which  undoubt*J 
edly  aggravate  the  existing  famine  horrors,  and  are  based  upon  personal 
interviews  and  investigations.  Nearly  all  are  corroborated,  the  more 
ini])ortant  ones  by  undeniable  proof,  some  of  it  documentary  in  char- 
acter. In  i)resenting  them,  we  aimed  to  reproduce,  as  far  as  possible, 
the  simple  language  in  which  they  were  described;  to  avoid  embellish- 
ment of  facts,  as  they  speak  eloquently  for  themselves,  and  in  their 
des(!ription  to  repress  the  feelings  which  often  gained  the  mastery,  as 
we  stood  face  to  face  with  the  actual  scenes  of  the  misery  and  want  sur- 
rounding these  hunted  human  beings,  and  which  we  can  never  drive 
from  memory.  The  chapter  is  by  no  means  complete;  what  there  is  of 
it  is  regarded  by  us  as  authentic,  and  believed  to  be  a  convincing  his- 
tory of  the  terrible  conditions  which  heretofore  have  been  but  partially 
described  and  largely  disbelieved  because  of  their  incredible  character. 

We  close  the  Russian  chapter  with  the  following  brief  statement: 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  restrictive  measures  leveled  against  the 
Jews  in  Russia  ati'ect  the  conditions  of  fiom  five  to  seven  millions  of 
peoi)le,  that  these  persons  are  in  consequence  forced  to  emigrate,  and 
that  owing  to  various  reasons,  the  chief  of  which  being  superior  ad- 
vantages, personal  and  religious  liberty,  their  trend  is  towards  our 
shores,  we  gave  more  time  to  the  investigation  of,  and  more  space  to, 
Jewish  immigration  than  to  any  other,  as  in  every  country  visited,  ex- 
cept Russia,  the  movement  is  due  almost  entirely  to  normal  causes.* 
In  Russia,  however,  emmigration  is  incited  by  causes  within  the  con- 
trol of  the  authorities.  There  is  a  propulsive  force  behind  it  which  can 
be  stopped  by  an  imperial  edict,  or  by  an  intimation  to  cease  the  per- 
secutions, just  as  was  done  alter  the  May  laws  of  1882  started  the  exo- 
dus which  swelled  the  figures  of  emmigration  to  our  country  and  prom- 

*  Since  we  left  Russia  evidences  of  pressure  against  Catholics,  Lutherans,  and 
Baptists  (Germans)  have  developed. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    101 

'^Sned  to  grow  into  liuge  proportions,  but  whicli  was  stopped  by  the  pro- 
tests that  came  from  all  directions.* 

While  the  principle  of  non-intervention  in  the  regulation  and  man- 
agement of  the  domestic  aifairs  of  foreign  countries  is  recognized  and 
^generally  observed  by  all  nations,  especially  by  the  United  States,  it 
^*tean  not  in  respect  of  the  Russian  Government  be  regarded  as  a  friendly 
^bct  to  strip  these  persons  of  their  substance  and  force  them  to  our  land 
.  impoverished  in  means  and  crushed  in  spirit.     Neither  should  it  be  re- 
^  ^garded  as  a  violation  of  this  principle  to  protest  against  a  continuance 
t)f  such  measures  in  view  of  their  effect  upon  our  affairs,  even  if  the 
question  of  humanity  be  eliminated  from  consideration.     To  push  these 
people  upon  us  in  a  condition  which  makes  our  duty  of  self-protection 
war  against  the  si)irit  of  our  institutions  and  the  ordinary  instincts  of 
humanity  calls  for  a  protest  so  emphatic  that  it  will  be  both  heard  and 
lieeded. 

AUSTRO-HUNGARY. 
GALICIA. 

Septemher  11,  1891. — Early  in  the  morning  we  reached  Gracow,  cross- 
ing fhe  border  at  Granicia  and  leaving  Russian  territory  at  5  a.  m.     On 
offering  our  passports,  which  we  had  become  so  accustomed  to,  we  were 
promptly  informed  that  such  a  procedure  was  not  necessary  in  Austria, 
although  the  soldier's  uniform  was  still  ever  present.     Cracow  is  a  city 
of  about  70,000  inhabitants,  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Province  of 
Gahcia,  which  belongs  to  the  Austro-Hungarian  Empire,  and  is  known 
as  Austria-Poland.     From  this  province  came  the  Slovaks,  and  as  one 
travels  south  he  passes  through  that  portion  of  the  country  Avhicli  sends 
to  us  what  are  commonly  termed  in  tlie  United  States,  Hungarians. 
Very  few  Jews  emigrate  from  here  to  the  United  States,  as  they  enjoy 
the  same  legal  rights  as  the  non- Jews.     Foreigners  are  not  permitted  to 
become  a  public  burden,  but  are  returned  to  the  country  to  which  they 
owe  allegiance,  or  put  across  the  border.     Hence  the  Jews  who  have  been 
crowded  out  of  Russia  are  forwarded  to  Hamburg  and  Bremen  for  foreign 
lands.    We  find  here  a  committee  of  prominent  Jews  who,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  "Alliance  Generale  Israelite,"  assist  their  people  on  their 
travels  to  other  lands.     Their  work  since  the  exodus  has  been  very 
heavy,  having  forwarded  about  2,000  within  the  past  two  months.    J  ust 
at  present  their  labor  has  come  to  a  standstill,  as  they  were  notified 
I  about  a  week  ago  by  the  committee  at  Berlin  to  suspend  operations, 
i  I     The  committee  does  not  understand  the  reason,  but  thinks  it  is  due  to 
flack  of  funds,  the  bulk  of  which  came  from  their  Berlin  and  Paris  co- 
•i laborers.    Many  of  those  who  have  been  passed  through  had  means 
ijsuihcient  to  carry  them  to  their  destination;  some  had  but  partial 
>  i  means,  and  some  were  penniless.     All  corroborate  the  conditions  as  we 

•  I  saw  them  in  inner  Russia  and  the  Pale,  and  explain  their  impoverished 

*  ^  state  as  due  to  the  short  notice  to  leave  the  places  where  they  were  re- 
H siding.  Those  within  the  "Pale,"  and  those  from  without,  banished 
t  •  to  the  Pale,  left  because  longer  stay  only  meant  eating  up  the  little 

which  would  carry  them  across  the  Russian  border.     In  forwarding 
them  the  committee  always  consulted  the  desire  of  the  individuals,  as 

*  Number  of  alien  steerage  passengers  from  Eussia  landed  at  the  port  of  New  York 

1880 7,693  I  1882 15,900 

1881 10,518     1883 ., 7.577 


102    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

many  of  tlieiu  have  relatives  or  friends  who  have  gone  before,  and  in 
such  cases  they  send  them  in  the  same  direction.  Those  who  have 
means  receive  only  advice  and  the  protection  of  the  society  en  ront€' 
against  swindlers,  who  would  otherwise  take  advantage  of  their  help- 
lessness. Mr.  T.  Przeworski  stated  that  in  several  instances  he  had 
dissuaded  people  ffom  emigrating  te  America  on  the  ground  tbat  it 
was  not  so  easy  a  matter  to  obtain  a  living  there  as  they  imagined. 
He  also  stated  there  are  no  legal  restrictions  which  hamper  the  Jews 
here,  but  there  is  a  social  distinction  which  prevents  them  from  reach- 
ing some  of  the  higher  military  or  civic  positions,  although  there  are 
some  Jews  who  are  members  of  the  Eeichstag,  their  highest  legisla- 
tive body.  There  are  a  number  of  Jewish  farmers  in  Galicia  who  con- 
duct agricultural  pursuits  on  an  extensive  scale,  and  a  considerable 
number  who  are  engaged  in  farm  labor. 

We  visited  the  Jewish  quarter  and  found  it  to  be  very  much  better 
in  appearance  than  any  we  saw  in  Eussia.  Although  it  was  said  there 
were  man 5^  poor  Jews  in  Cracow,  yet  in  every  resj)ect  their  condition  is 
far  sux)erior  to  that  of  their  brethren  in  Eussia.  We  visited  the  arti- 
sans' school  for  Jewish  boys  and  found  it  to  be  the  best  equipped  and 
arranged  of  any  we  had  seen.  This  is  undoubtedly  due  to  the  fact  that 
the  funds  are  furnished  from  the  outside,  by  the  Alliance,  and  now  su})- 
ported  by  Baron  de  Hirsch,  except  that  the  building,  which  is  commo- 
dious and  admirably  adapted  to  the  purpose,  was  donated  by  a  wealthy 
Jew  of  Cracow.  In  the  Pale  the  schools  are  supx)orted  by  the  Jews 
who  are  themselves  under  the  i^ressure  especially  leveled  at  their  race, 
and  in  judging  the  results  obtained  under  such  adverse  circumstances 
and  iiistituting  comparisons  with  the  stiliools  just  described,  that  i)res- 
sure  should  fairly  be  taken  into  consideration.  About  35  boys  now 
attend  who  are  instructed,  boarded,  lodged,  and  clothed  at  this  institu- 
tion. These  are  orphans  and  the  children  of  poor  people  who,  unless 
thus  provided  for,  would  develoi)  into  dregs  of  society.  They  looked 
clean,  hearty,  and  healthy,  and,  clad  in  a  neat  uniform,  compare  favor- 
ably with  pupils  of  the  best  of  educational  institutions.  The  inoduct  of 
their  workmanship  is  of  a  superior  quality,  and  their  drawings  and  designs 
especially  excellent.  The  same  thirst  for  knowledge  is  apparent  here  as 
elsewhere  among  the  Jews,  and  this  predominant  characteristic  is  so 
creditable,  so  beneficent  in  its  results,  that  it  is  due  to  these  people  that 
it  should  be  recorded.  A  partial  list  of  wages  paid  in  this  country  and 
l)rices  of  the  chief  articles  of  food  will  be  Ibund  in  vol.  11. 

On  the  12th  of  September,  1891,  we  left  Cracow  early  in  the  morning 
for  Buda-Pesth,  Hungary,  stopping  on  the  way  at  Oderberg,  a  railroad 
junction,  where  most  of  the  emigrants  fnmi  Galicia  and  Hungary  pass. 
We  met  here  a  Mr.  Lustig,  an  intelligent  gentleman,who  speaks  English 
tluently  and  is  the  proprietor  of  the  railway  restaurant  at  that  place. 
He  informed  us  that  emigrants  are  required  to  leave  the  train  lor  ex- 
amination at  this  i)oint  and  that  they  must  exhibit  passports  or  per- 
mits to  leave  the  country,  and  show  that  they  i)ossess  money  amount- 
ing to  200  florins*  for  each  adult  and  100  for  each  child.  He  stated 
that  these  legulations  were  made  because  of  reports  from  the  Austro- 
Hungarian  consul  at  ISTew  York 5  that  sometimes  poor  inmugrants  were 
returned  because  they  had  not  sufficient  means  to  establish  themselves, 
and  occasionally^  ai)plied  to  him  for  relief.  At  first  this  requirement 
for  money  exhibition  was  assisted  by  steamship  subageuts  who  tem- 


*  A  florin  is  equal  to  about  41  cents  of  United  States  money. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    103 

^orarily  loaned  tlie  money  for  tlie  purpose  of  passing  the  inimigrant, 
i)ut  this  was  stopped  about  a  year  ago.  Recently  there  had  not  been 
;o  great  a  volume  of  emigration  at  this  point.  He  thought  this  was  due 
argely  to  the  fact  that  this  exhibition  of  money  was  demanded. 

HUNGARY. 

We  arrived  at  Buda-Pesth  late  Saturday  night,  September  12.  Buda- 
['estli  is  a  city  of  about  480,000  inhabitants,  and  it  is  estimated  that 
)ver  100,000  are  Jews.  The  people  of  Hungary  present  a  great  eon- 
rast  to  those  of  Knssia,  and  they  and  tlieir  country  were  to  us  a  reve- 
atiou.  It  soon  became  evident  to  us  that  the  Hungarians  who  emi- 
grate to  the  United  States  are  generally  Slovaks,  or  the  people  from 
lie  northern  ])art  of  Hungary,  living  near  the  border,  between  Hungary 
iiid  Galicia,  and  who  are  engaged  junncipall}^  in  mining  and  the  coarser 
kinds  of  farming.  A  few  of  the  Hungarians  prox)er,  or  Magyars,  well 
educated  professional  or  business  men,  or  skilled  workmen,  emigrate  to 
the  United  States,  and  are  moved  to  do  so  because  of  the  higher  wages 
md  greater  opportunities  for  advancement  which  prevail  here.  Hun- 
'^ary  itself  is  a  fertile  and  iiatnrally  attractive  country.  Its  fields  are 
idmirably  cultivated  and  the  yields  are  large.  Sugar-beet  raising  is 
one  of  their  chief  industries,  the  sugar  being  exported  in  large  quanti- 
ties besides  supplying  her  own  i)opulation.  The  i)eople  have  every 
appearance  of  being  peaceable,  orderly,  contented,  and  happy,  and  no 
European  state  visited  by  the  commissioners  presented  a  population  so 
similar  in  such  respects  to  the  Americans. 

While  there  are  some  poor  people  there,  Buda-Pesth  exhibits  less 
abject  poverty  than  any  other  Euroi:)ean  city  we  have  seen  or  any 
American  city  a])proximating  it  in  size.  The  flouring  business  is 
among  its  chief  industries,  and  a  number  of  very  extensive  milling  estab- 
lishments are  to  be  seen;  also  a  grain  elevator  of  brick,  on  tiie  banks  of 
the  Danube,  which  for  size  and  elegance  of  construction  is  not  sur- 
passed by  any  in  the  United  States.  Shipbuilding  is  extensively  car- 
ried on  here  a  short  distance  uj)  the  river,  and  furnishes  occupation  for 
a  large  number  of  emi^loyes.  The  streets  are  handsomely  paved  and 
well  cleaned,  and  regularly  sprinkled,  even  in  the  very  poorest  quarters 
of  the  city.  We  visited  the  Jewish  quarter  and  found  the  same  neat- 
ness and  order  x>i'evailing  there;  even  the  old  scrap  iron  was  piled  up 
in  a  tasty,  orderly  manner.  In  the  ]>laces  where  the  poor  Jews  transact 
their  business  the  trade  is  carried  on  in  booths,  but  there  is  a  marked 
superiority  over  similar  establishments  in  Kussia,  the  stock  being  much 
better  and  more  valuable.  Numerous  new  buildings  are  being  erected, 
and  there  is  every  indication  of  a  steady  and  subslantial  growth.  We 
also  visited  the  poorest  quarter  of  the  city  and  tound  there  what  are 
called  "houses  of  necessity,"  buildings  temporarily  erected  by  the  au- 
thorities for  those  who  are  too  poor  to  pay  rent,  and  for  the  poorest  of 
the  laboring  (;hisses.  Even  here  the  surroundings  were  neat  and  clean. 
Many  of  the  houses  had  little  flower  beds  in  front,  and  flowers  were 
seen  at  nearly  every  window.  The  neat,  white  curtains  on  every  hand 
presented  evidence  of  taste. 

We  visited  this  quarter  at  the  time  that  the  children  were  returning 
iVom  school.  While  many  of  them  were  poorly  dressed,  their  garments 
were  clean  and  not  ragged.  The  little  ones  were  healthy  in  appear- 
ance, ru(hly,  and  their  bright  faces  were  in  striking  contrast  to  the 
]>inch(Ml,  hiiggaid  appearance  lU'esented  by  children  of  a  similar  grade 
in  Kussia.     Upon  inquiry,  we  learned  that  the  children  are  required  to 


104    ENFORCEl^fENT  OF  ALIEN  COXTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

attend  tlie  public  schools  at  least  four  hours  daily.  Hungarian  anc 
Germau  are  prescribed  as  necessary,  while  English  is  among  the  optiona 
studies.  We  saw  hundreds  of  these  little  ones  trudging  home  with  thei: 
books  and  vslates  under  their  arms,  and  it  was  suggested  by  one  of  ou: 
party  that  they  revealed  the  secre^  of  the  noticeable  intelligence  S(i 
universal  in  that  couutiy.  The  people  enjoy  religious  and  politico 
liberty  in  a  high  degree  and  their  patriotic  regard  for  their  native  lane 
was  everywhere  made  manifest.  We  found  no  surface  indications  what 
ever  of  reasons  for  emigrating,  and  inquiry  elicited  the  fact  ahead} 
stated,  that  only  a  small  proportion  of  this  class  of  Hungarians  emi 
grate  to  America  and  these  are  generally  skilled  laborers.  The  bulk  o: 
those  classified  as  Hungarians  in  our  immigration  statistics  are  Slovaks, 
of  whom  some  return  bringing  with  them  money  earned  abroad,  witt 
which  they  purchase  small  places  of  their  own,  and  every  such  instance 
stimulates  others  to  follow  their  example. 

These  Slovaks  live  in  the  Carpathian  Mountain  regions  where,  as 
miners,  they  earn  from  40  to  65  cents  x)er  day.  The  emigration  move- 
ment among  those  people  was  started,  so  we  were  informed,  some  years 
ago  by  agents  from  the  United  States  who  visited  that  region  for  the 
purpose  of  engaging  mine  laborers.  The  start  thus  made  served  as  an 
advertisement  of  the  conditions  which  prevailed  in  the  United  States. 
Many  such  instances  were  cited  and  one  will  illustrate  this  feature: 
Some  years  ago  a  man  called  at  the  American  consulate  to  make  in- 
quiries with  a  view  to  emigrating  to  America.  He  was  advised  by  the 
vice-consul,  Mr.  Gerster,  not  to  go  unless  he  was  prepared  for  hard  work 
and  self-denial.  Last  spring  a  man  came  to  the  consulate  and  presented 
his  naturalization  papers,  given  by  a  New  York  court,  for  record  at  the' 
consulate.  After  some  conversation  this  man  stated  that  he  was  the, 
same  person  who  asked  several  years  ago  about  emigrating  to  America,  i 
and  detailed  the  substance  of  the  above  conversation.  The  man  was 
well  dressed,  wore  a  "diamond  ring  and  other  jewelry''  and  said  that 
he  had  money  enough  to  purchase  a  small  place  near  his  old  home, 
where  he  intended  to  settle.     Mr.  Gerster  remarked: 

Wbeu  that  individual  reaches  his  old  home,  purchases  his  little  property,  tells  hia 
story  to  his  friends,  corroborated  as  it  is  by  his  appearance  and  his  purcliase,  you 
ran  not  prevent  those  people  from  following  his  example  unless  you  restrain  them 
by  force. 

We  were  informed  that  the  stimulation  of  emigration  by  agents  has 
almost  entirely  ceased,  although  it  is  believed  that  what  there  is  of  it 
is  conducted  on  a  small  scale  and  in  a  clandestine  manner,  as  the  Gov- 
ernment is  sternly  opposed  to  emigration  from  the  country  and  places 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  intending  emigrants.  Notwithstanding  these 
obstacles,  however,  many  elude  the  officials  and  steal  across  the  border. 
The  object  of  the  Government  in  obstructing  emigration  is  to  hold  the 
young  men  for  service  in  the  army.  Many  of  them  become  naturalized 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  some  of  whom  return  to  their  old  homes 
and  register  at  the  consulate  as  American  citizens.  The  consul  said 
that  he  has  had  considerable  correspondence  relative  to  this  particular 
class  who  were  now  residents  of  Hungary.  He  said  the  inciting  causes 
of  emigration  fiom  Hungary  are  the  reports  of  those  who  have  pio- 
neered the  way  and  are  doing  well  in  our  country,  and  of  those  who 
return  and  give  glowing  accounts  of  the  conditions  which  prevail  here. 
There  are,  however,  signs  of  increasing  need  ibr  economy  in  Hungary,  ' 
which  also  acts  as  an  inciting  cause  lor  emigration,  and  this  is  un- 
doubtedly due  to  the  excessive  taxation  required  to  support  the  large 
standing-  army. 


;^| 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    105 

He  instanced  the  fact  that  a  tax  of  33^  per  cent  is  levied  ujjon  the 
let  income  and  50  per  cent  on  the  rental  value  of  property,  and  but  for 
)urdensome  taxes  he  claimed  that  Hungary  would  be  one  of  the  most 
prosperous  countries  in  Europe.  Our  observation  led  us  to  the  conclu- 
don  that  this  opinion  is  well  founded.  At  one  i)lace  we  saw  a  squad  of 
vomen,  shovel  in  hand,  balhisting  the  railroad  track  j  others  were  seen 
•arrying  mortar  in  a  sort  of  handbarrow;  others  were  unloading  cars. 
V  gentleman  of  the  legal  profession,  with  whom  we  were  in  conversa- 
ion,in  commenting  upon  this  apparent  contradiction  of  abundant  pros 
verity  with  the  necessity  for  female  labor,  said: 

WLile  it  is  true  that  nature  has  been  lavish  in  her  gifts  to  Hungary,  yet  the  jiopu- 
iitiou  is  dense  (about  17,000,000  to  124,560  square  miles)  and  the  incubus  under  whicli 
)nr  people  rest  is  the  great  burden  of  taxation,  made  necessary  by  the  continuous 
;tate  of  preparation  for  war  and  our  enormous  standing  army.  The  repeated  chang<'S 
)f  armaments  and  the  drain  which  so  vast  an  army  of  nonproducers  creates  bear 
leavily  upon  us.  We  in  Hungary  have  a  country  to  defend  which  is  worth  preserv- 
ng.  The  conditions  are  superior  as  compared  with  Russia,  for  Russia's  border  terri- 
ory  and  indeed  until  you  reach  deeply  into  the  interior,  or  in  south  Russia,  is  a 
jarreu  country,  and  an  invading  army  would  be  compelled  to  carry  its  own  subsist- 
'nee,  while  in  Hungary  every  part  of  the  country  would  supply  an  invading  army. 

Our  taxes  on  rent  incomes'reach  nearly  60  per  cent,  and  the  method  emi»loyed  hy 
lie  Government  to  ascertain  the  proper  amount  is  novel.  A  rent  roll  is  furnished 
n  which  the  landlord  states  the  amount  of  rent  charged  the  tenant  or  tenants,  who 
ire  required  to  certify  on  the  same  roll  that  the  rental  is  correct.  The  amounts  iu- 
.  olved  are  sometimes  so  great  that  attempts  are  made  on  the  part  of  the  landlord, 
vith  the  connivance  of  tlie  tenant,  to  lessen  the  tax.  The  returns  of  the  rent  rolls 
ire  Dot  infrequently  disregarded  by  the  Government  officials  and  the  amount  of  tax 
certified  to  is  increased,  being  fixed  by  the  official  in  such  sum  as  he  thinks  it  ought 

0  be.  If  it  were  not  for  these  enormous  drains  Avhich  are  continually  made  ui)on 
IS.  Hungary  would  be  one  of  the  wealthiest,  if  not  the  wealthiest,  nation  in  Europe. 
I'iie  United  States  is  to  be  envied  in  her  freedom  from  such  burdens.  If  it  were  not 
or  the  sea  which  separates  us,  I  think  we  should  all  be  over  there.  It  is  apparent 
hat  those  people  who  are  not  pressed  down  by  the  burdens  of  sharp  poverty  do  not 
"migrate.  Those  whose  labor  is  insufficient  to  supply  the  ordinary  wants  of  exist- 
nice  of  self  or  family  are  the  ones  who  seek  a  home  in  the  new  country,  where  they 
ire  exempt  from  the  burdens  which  oppress  them  here  and  which  eat  up  the  small 
earnings  of  a  poor  peoi)le.  From  southern  Hungary,  the  finest  agricultural  x^ortiou 
)i'  the  country,  there  is  little  or  no  emigration,  and  if  peace  could  only  be  assured, 
md  the  enormous  standing  army  disbanded,  and  taxation  lowered,  there  would  be 
10  necessity  for  anyone  to  emigrate  from  here  to  your  country. 

In  order  to  expedite  our  movements  and  reach  Bremen  in  time  for 
he  steamship  conference  called  for  October  1st,  it  was  deemed  ad  vis- 
ible to  send  Major  Semsey,  the  Secretary  of  the  Commission,  into  the 
'ountry  of  the  Slovaks,  he  being  familiar  with  their  language  and 
rhoroughly  understanding  the  customs  and  metliods  of  these  people. 
We  then  proceeded  to  Vienna,  arriving  there  the  afternoon  of  Sex)t.  18. 

Major  Semsey's  report  is  given  herewith: 

Col.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  United  States  Commission,  etc.: 

Sir:  Having  been  detailed  by  your  order,  at  Buda-Pesth,  dated  September  18, 
1^91,  to  visit  the  interior  and  especially  the  northern  part  of  Hungary,  I  have  the 
lonor  to  report  the  following : 

I  remained  at  Buda-Pesth  for  two  days  and  ascertained  that  very  few  people  emi- 
:;rate  to  the  United  States  from  that  jiortion  of  the  country,  as  the  Austrian  Govern- 
uent  refuses  passports  to  many  who  apply  for  them.  Young  men  from  18  to  30  years 
)f  age  liable  to  military  duty  are  not  permitted  under  any  circumstances  to  leave  the 
•ouutry.  I  found  that  very  few  mechanics  were  out  of  em])loymeut  in  Buila-Pesth 
It  present.  To  my  surprise,  however,  I  saw  women  working  as  hod-carriers  and 
)erforming  work  which  is  usually  only  performed  by  men  in  America.     (Here  follows 

1  table  of  wages  and  food  prices  which  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii.) 
I  left  Buda-Pesth  September  21,  for  Eperjes,  •  a  city  in   the  northern   part   of 


\4 


*  See  list  of  wages  and  food  prices  in  vol.  ii. 


106    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Hnncrarv   about  15  miles  from  Galicin,  Austrian  Polanrl,  having  from  10,000  to  12  00! 

Shnhkaiits     The  laiimiao-e  used  in  that  city  and  vicinity  is   Slovac,    a  kind  ( 

l^lavSialect      I^^^^^  few  factories  in  the  place  and  little  ^n«/ness   th, 

nrincM  pursuit  beinc^  a-riculture.  The  population  of  that  city  and  of  the  a.Vloir 
Tv  lloXL  de^^^^^^^  year  to  year,  as  the  emigration  to  America  from  the 

1  al  been'^ery  large  for"  the  past  five  Vea^s,  amounting  to  40,000  or  more,  most! 
fpn  X   women    remaining   at  home.     Most  of  the  women  here  perlorm  har 

/^ho'r  in  thrSls  as  well  as  in  the  cities.     The  school  system  m  that  city  is  we. 

re^ulaLrThe^iave  public  schools  in  every  ward  and  education  lecompul^orj 
The  vouu-er  generation  of  the  working  class  of  people  can  read  and  write;  ol  thos 
over  d^se^ars^f  a-e  I  found  but  few  who  could  write,  but  some  were  able  to  rea 
nrint  Most  o7  the  Slovacs  from  here  going  to  the  United  States  are  bound  for  th 
^^^t<r  districts  of  Pennsylvania.  They  remain  there  for  several  years,  vis  t  thei 
Sve^l  ace  ?rom  t^^^^^  l^^i^g^^g  considerable  amounts  of  money  with  thei 

I^n  their  famiUcr^^  foi'a  few  months,  then  return  again  to  Americ 

without  Sfoniilie^^  I  met  Mr.  Felix  Donschaehner,  cashier  of  a  bank  in  Li^erje. 
Tn  Si^eTt  an^^^  i«  ^^^  informed  about  the  general  aflairso 

?Lt  oSv  a  dwho,on  inquiry  about  the  amount  of  money  sent  from  Amenc 
tn1^i?rnlace  by  Slovacs  their  flmilies,  replied  that  most  of  the  money  sent  honi 
bvlrem  passes  throigh  his  hands  and  aAoun^s,   approximately,  to  several  hui, 

other;  w  ft  lllm?VLVc  contact,  assured  me  that  it  is  impossiWe  for  then.  t. 
Cuahmevs,  espc''i""y  during  the  harvest  season,  even  at  24  to  3  flonns  per  da.j^ 
''T:^::^X''^S^^J&:^SS:^f^Z::^y  of  Eperjes,  a  v^age  of  aho„ 
7(^  taSiSnts  al  Slavonic  people,  ^vhose  occupation  is  most  y  agrionltu™!,  ny.™ 
a^oVlS  ve?v  f  rodnctive.     I  fonnd'bnt  few  mechanics  in  tha   village,  snch  as  ca 

here  candter  read  nor  write.     I  met  an  old  man  named  Jaiios  Husnyak,  who    a 

Cte"2l"h!ffiLr^\he'c'itf  .^-  ^X^r^  few  miles  from  the  Galicia, 

X.i?afc:  ^^.Sr=^^^^  *c?oSng  S^er  '^^Z^X^^^^'. 
"IrS'SsHorvat^b:  a^estectahle  hnsiBess  man  and  a.  old  resi^dent^ot^Bartfa  t^ 
me  to  visit  the  villages  of  Tuleik  and  Kapivar,  where  I  ^.'Sl^'J^^'V^  j  "net  th  or 
facts     I  fonnd  in  thl  village  of  Talcik  a  Slavonic  population  of  1,200.    1  '"Y„.,v^I 

H£:;;ioS=^J^i?s^^i^?::i^^ 
^"-iSJSi5?f:ii^r:-^^^^^ 

of  the  vilfnttf .     There  are  three  schools  in  the  village,  having  competent  and  intelli 


ENFORCEISIENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS.  107 

fjent  teachers.     There  is  no  emigration  from  here  and  the  people  are  prosperous  and 
contented. 

Sex)teml)er  28,  29,  and  30  A^sited  Nyarad,  Felso,  Abrany,  and  other  places  in  this 
sof'tiou,  and  after  a  thorough  investigation  I  found  a  productive  land  everywhere, 
tilled  by  a  hard-working  but  contented  people.  The  women  here  do  not  work  in 
the  fields  as  I  have  seen  in  the  Slovak  countries. 

October  1,  returned  to  Buda-Pesth,  after  visiting  several  places  in  that  vicinity 
and  inquiriug  into  matters  concerning  emigration,  1  left  Hungary  for  Bremen,  Octo- 
ber 4,  1891,  reporting  to  yon  in  i)erson  next  day. 

Respectlully  submitted. 

Chakles  Semsey. 

Secretary. 

AUSTRIA. 

VIENNA. 

We  visited  the  legation  at  Vienna  on  the  next  clay,  September  19,  and 
also  called  on  Consul-General  Goldschinidt,  who  has  given  considerable 
attention  to  the  subject  of  emigrjition .  His  recent  report,  made  in  March, 
1891,  was  partially  examininl  and  we  found  that  so  far  asTransleithania 
is  concerned,  it  corroborated  our  observations.  Transleithania  com- 
prises Hungary  proper  and  its  dependencies.  Cisleithania  embraces 
Austria  proper,  Bohemia,  Halmatia,  and  Galicia.  Taxes  in  Cisleithania, 
it  was  stated,  are  about  30  per  cent  of  the  net  income  and  52  per  cent  of 
the  rental  value  of  improved  real  estate.  Mr.  Goldschmidt's  reply  to 
our  circular  letter  is  valuable  and  interesting  and  will  be  found  in  its 
proper  place  under  the  head  of  consular  inspection,  etc.  He  confirmed 
the  opinions  reached  as  the  result  of  our  investigations  that  emigration 
from  Austria  is  normal  in  its  character;  that  the  inciting  cause  is  a 
desire  to  improve  conditions  and  that  the  authorities  do  not  encourage 
it  but,  on  the  other  hand,  discourage  it,  especially  with  reference  to  that 
element  fit  for  military  service. 

Not  having  heard  from  the  other  commissioners  as  we  expected  at 
Vienna,  and  whom  we  supposed  were  in  Italy  on  their  way  north  to 
Bremen,  we  telegraphed  to  Consul  Starkloff,  Bremen,  to  Consul  Bourn 
at  Jvome,  and  to  Brown,  Shipley  &  Co.,  London,  asking  if  they  knew 
their  whereab(mts.     None  of  them  could  give  the  desired  information 
exc'cpt  Consul  Starkloff  who  replied  ''Schulteis  here;  don't  know  where- 
abouts of  others  "    We  then  telegraphed  to  Commissioner  Schulteis 
asking  about  the  others  and  whether  they  knew  of  the  Bremen  meet- 
ing October  1,  we  having  received  no  answer  to  three  letters  sent  at 
various  times  with  a  view  of  opening  up  communication  with  them. 
We  received  no  reply  from  Commissioner  Schulteis,  but  Consul  Stark- 
loif  answered  that  the  other  commissioners  (meaning  Commissioners 
n  Cross,   Powderly,  and   Schulteis)   met  in    Paris   September  10,   and 
•i.f  found  themselves  unable  to  comj)lete  the  work  before  October  20,  and 
desired  us  to  meet  them  in  Milan,  Italy,  September  2o,  to  which  we 
replied  "Will  write  commissioners  at  Milan."    We  wrote  to  them  on 
September  21  to  the  effect  that  the  conference  between  the  steamship 
agents  and  the  commission  had  been  fixed  for  October  1,  and  as  the 
notice  of  invitation  had  been  sent  to  the  various  companies,  it  was  not 
practicable  now  to  change  the  date  or  to  rearrange  the  programme  so 
as  to  visit  Milan  and  reach  Bremen  on  October  1.     We  also  stated 
.  that  we  would  attend  the  Bremen  conference,  and  suggested  that  as 
>i  •J  Italy  was  the  most  important  country  on  their  list,  not  to  leave  it 
''  '1 '  unfinished  in  any  event,  and  to  make  there  a  thorough  investigation. 


108       EjStorcement  of  aliex  contract  labor  laws. 


BAVARIA. 
MUNICH. 

TVe  left  Vienna  September  22,  rejvhing  Munich  on  the  evening  of 
that  day.  The  country  between  these  two  places  is  mountainous,  but 
the  valleys  appear  productive  and  are  well  cultivated.  Munich  is  a 
city  of  about  o8(),()00  and,  apparently,  in  a  fairly  prosx)erous  condition. 
It  was  stated,  however,  that  the  button  industry  has  suffered  severely 
from  the  effects  of  our  tariff'  legislation.  [Next  clay  we  called  on  Consul 
Catliu,  who  furnished  us  with  wsonie  labor  and  food  statistics  which  will 
be  found  in  vol.  ii.  Emigration  from  this  section  is  small  in  numbers 
and  normal  in  character. 

NUREMBURO.  ^ 

We  left  Munich  September  24,  reaching  ^uremburg  late  at  night. 
The  next  day  we  called  on  Consul  Black,  who  has  been  at  this  consu- 
late about  six  years,  and  who  told  us  he  had  not  received  our  circular 
letter,  but  would  write  to  Consul-General  Xew  for  a  copy  and  send  a 
reply  as  soon  as  possible,  *  *  ♦  also  a  list  of  labor  and  food  prices.* 
He  said  that  a  certificate  of  character  could  be  obtained  from  the 
local  authorities  in  the  cases  of  intending  emigrants  and  believed  that 
the  authorities  would  be  glad  to  have  us  require  certificates,  as  that 
w^ould  enable  them  the  better  to  control  their  young  men  liable  to  mil- 
itary duty,  whom  they  are  very  anxious  to  retain.  He  thought  that  if 
a  tax  of  about  $50  per  head  was  placed  on  each  emigrant  as  he  arrived 
in  the  United  States  we  could  keep  out  paupers.  He  did  not  think 
that  steamship  agents  drummed  up  business  now,  as  the  Government 
authorities  are  sternly  opposed  to  anything  which  conduces  to  emigra- 
tion. 

PRUSSIA. 

BERLIN. 

We  left  Nuremburg  on  the  morning  of  the  27th  for  Berlin  and  ar- 
rived there  on  the  evening  of  that  day.  On  the  2Sth  we  called  on  Mr. 
Frederick  Mattfeldt,  the  agent  at  that  place  of  the  Xorth  German  Lloyd 
Steamship  Company,  and  the  substance  of  whose  statement  is  as  fol- 
lows: In  his  opinion  emigration  is  at  present  largely  stimulated  by  the 
belief  that  the  gateway  will  be  ch)sed  by  further  restrictive  measures 
on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  aided  by  the  prospect  of  war,  which 
everywhere  we  found  to  be  a  general  topic  of  discussion.  Also  that  the' 
splendid  harvests  reported  as  having  been  secured  in  the  United  States 
and  the  scanty  crops  in  Europe  furnish  further  reasons  for  emigration. 

Kailroad  wars  in  the  United  States,  with  the  consequent  cutting  of 
rates,  also  affected  the  current,  increasing  its  volume.  The  present 
laws  regulating  emigration  from  Germany  aie  provincial  and  differ  ac- 
cording to  locality,  but  stringent  measures,  uniform  throughout  the 
Empire,  are  expected  to  be  inaugurated  bj^  the  German  Government 
this  winter,  the  object  being  to  restrict  the  outflow  of  those  liable  to 
military  service. 

The  laws  of  Prussia  of  1853  have  from  time  to  time  been  changed, 

*Not  received. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    109 

Iways  with  a  tendency  toward  greater  restriction.  Some  of  the  more 
ini)ortant  rej^ulations  relating-  to  this  subject  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii. 
t  is  now  forbidden  to  forward  to  intending  eniigrauts  auy  advertising 
irculars  or  letters  giving  even  simple  iuformation  as  to  sailiug  dates 
iid  prices,  uuless  a  direct  application  has  been  previously  made  by  the 
iitending  emigrant.  (See  circulars  and  notice  sent  to  intending  emi- 
. rants  by  ]S^orth  German  Lloyd  Steamship  Companj^,  p.  141  et  seq.) 

he  sale  of  every  ticket  must  be  promptly  reported  in  writing  to  the 
K;al  authorities  within  24  hours.  He  also  had  instructions  that  in  the 
vent  that  time  became  an  essential  element  such  notices  must  be  tele- 
raplied. 

In  1885,  in  consequence  of  the  severe  comiietition  among  steam - 
hip  lines,  the  passage  rate  to  the  United  States  was  reduced  to  45 
larks  (about  -$11),  to  which  the  German  Government  objected  because 

liad  a  tendency  to  abnormally  increase  the  volume  of  emigration, 
'he  Hamburg  Packet  Company  w^as  therefore  notified  that  their  steer- 
ge-passage  rates  must  not  fall  below  90  marks. 

BREMEN. 

On  the  30tli  day  of  September  we  left  Berlin,'  arriving  at  Bremen  in 
he  afternoon  and  on  the  next  day  at  10  o'clock  we  met  at  the  Museum 
lall  in  confeience  with  the  representatives  of  the  continental  steamship 
ompanies.  The  companies  reijresented  w^ere  the  Korth  German  Lloyd, 
y  I)ire(;tor  Lohmann  and  Mr.  H.  Peters;  the  Botterdam  Line,  by  Mr. 
)tto  Keuchlin  and  Mr.  John  Wilmink;  the  Hamburg-American  Line, 
y  Director  Meyer  and  Mr.  A.  Storer;  the  Bed  Star  Line,  by  Mr.  E. 
trasser;  the  Compagnie  Genorak^  Transatlantique,  by  Mr.  E.  Yenezin, 
hile  commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster  reijresented  the  commission, 
here  w^ere  also  present  United  States  Consul  Starkloft'  and  Prince  de 
"assano,  who  is  interested  in  the  care  and  comfort  of  the  emigrant  and 
'ho  was  present  by  invitation  of  the  commissioners.  The  Italian 
nes  and  the  Thingvalla  line  were  not  represented.  The  meeting,  in 
:s  discussions  and  considerations  was  a  repetition  of  that  already  de- 
3ribed  as  having  been  held  with  the  British  agents  at  Liverpool,  and 
hile  there  was  a  free  expression  on  the  part  of  the  steamship  agents 
»iey  desired  that  their  views  upon  the  imi)ortant  point  of  inspection, 
H  liether  consular  or  subagents,  be  submitted  in  writing.  TIds  has  been 
".^1  one,  and  they  will  be  found  on  p.  140  et  seq.  As  at  Liverpool,  the 
hrase  in  our  immigration  law^  "likely  to  become  a  luiblic  charge" 
'as  referred  to  b}^  Mr.  Peters,  who  claimed  that  it  w^as  scmiewhat  m- 
efinite  and  desired  to  have  a  more  specific  exj^lanation  of  its  meaning. 
his  was  fiu^nished  to  the  conference  and  every  feature  of  the  law  was 
loroughly  analyzed  and  made  as  clear  as  the  constructions  already 
lade  by  the  courts  and  the  Department  admitted. 
In  closing  the  meeting  Director  Lehnuinn  expressed,  for  himself  and 
is  colleagues,  gratification  and  thanks  for  the  opportunity  given  the 
^ents  to  rea(!h  a  clearer  understanding  of  our  law^s  affecting  emigra- 
on.  He  expressed  the  belief  that  the  results  of  the  conference  w^ould 
ove  beneficial,  and  that  there  would  be  lessmisunderstanding  and  less 
fficulty  in  complying  with  the  law  than  has  hitherto  been  the  case. 
We  visited  several  boarding  houses  at  Bremen,  accompanied  on  our 
ur  by  Prince  de  Cassano,  who  had  hibored  under  the  impression  that 
e  iiiciting  cause  of  emigration  ti'om  Euroi>e  was  the  competition 
ong  steamship  and  other  transportation  companies.  At  the  various 
rdin,!:^  houses  visited  we  questioned  the  emigrants  whose  destination 
H.  Ex.  37 43 


L 


110    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

was  the  United  States  as  to  tlie  reasons  which  impelled  them  to  rn 
grate.  Some  40  or  50  were  questioned  during  our  tour,  and  in  e\  <m 
single  instance,  with  one  excei)tion,  the  inciting  cause  came  from  tl 
United  States  in  the  shape  of  fathers,  sons,  sisters,  brothers,  or  otli 
relatives.  The  exception  was  a  young  man  who  was  going  to  St.  Lou 
because  a  friend  of  his  from  the  same  village,  who  had  returned  honi 
told  him  that  he  would  be  apt  to  succeed  there  better  than  anyAvlio 
else,  as  that  city  had  so  many  German  residents.  This  man,  althon  i:li 
Hungarian,  spoke  German  perfectly.  In  every  instance  asked  for,  k 
ters  from  such  relatives  were  produced  corroborating  their  statement 
Tliis  inspection  prompted  the  remark  from  the  Prince  de  Cassano  thi 
this  exi)erience  had  revealed  to  him  some  practical  but  surprising  thing 
as  he  had  no  idea  that  the  number  of  prepaid  tickets  reached  such  pr 
portions,  and  that  in  these  cases  it  was  evident  that  the  inciting  can; 
of  emigration  was  not  the  rivalry,  competition,  and  eflbrts  of  the  steal, 
ship  companies. 

The  boarding  houses  at  Bremen  rank  above  those  visited  elsewhe 
in  point  of  cleanliness,  convenience,  and  comfort  of  the  emigrant,  whi 
their  prices  are  quite  moderate  for  the  accommodations  furnished.  T] , 
prices  are  supervised  by  the  authorities,  frequent  inspections  are  ma( 
by  the  ofQcials,  and  violations  of  the  regulations  relating  to  the  sar 
tary  and  price  conditions  are  speedily  and  severely  punished.  T] 
best  of  these  Inmses  are  the  '^Hoffman's  Gasthof,"  ^' Hotel  Eheinsch 
Hof,"  "Hotel  zum Emigrant,"  and  "Union  Hotel,"  at  all  of  which  pine 
the  uniform  price  is  2J  marks  (55  or  60  cents)  per  day.  A  cheap 
boarding  house  which  we  visited  is  the  "  Stadt  Minden,"  where  the  pri 
ranges  from  1 J  to  2 J  marks  per  day.  There  seemed  to  be  nothing  lac 
ing  for  the  care  and  comfort  of  the  emigrant  at  the  Bremen  boardii 
houses.  At  one  of  them  we  found  two  families  (German)  each  havn 
a  female  member  physically  disqualified  to  take  care  of  herself, 
met  there  the  surgeon  of  the  North  German  Lloyd  Company,  who  calLi 
our  attention  to  the  fact  that  he  had  reported  against  the  embarkati 
of  these  families  because  of  the  disability  referred  to.  The  other  mei 
bers  of  the  families  were  healthy  and  evidently  industrious  peop 
with  means  to  establish  themselves,  and  relatives  to  whom  they  wei 
going  in  Kansas.  We  subsequently  learned  that  the  company  had  i\ 
bled  to  their  New  York  agents  that  these  people  would  not  be  forward 
by  them  until  the  relatives  furnished  bonds  satisfactory  to  the  immigij 
tion  authorities  at  New  York,  conditioned  that  the  subjects  would  di 
become  a  public  charge. 

In  the  evening  another  case  was  called  to  our  attention,  that  of 
pregnant  woman  who  desired  to  go  to  the  United  States  to  find  li 
husband,  who  had  abandoned  her,  and  she  was  therefore  without  1 
address.  The  subagent  who  sold  her  the  passage  ticket  brought 
to  the  hotel  and  showed  us  the  ticket  marked  "refused"  at  the  he 
office  of  the  company.  He  was  told  bjj  us  that  the  woman  would  u 
be  permitted  to  land  at  Ncay  York  until  she  was  able  to  demonstr 
that  her  husband  could  and  would  provide  for  her,  and  she  was  the: 
fore  returned  to  her  home.  These  cases  are  cited  to  illustrate  that  t 
steamship  companies  can,  by  the  aid  of  their  subagents,  exercise  cj 
and  discrimination  in  the  sale  of  tickets  and  materially  assist  in  t 
enforcement  of  our  laws,  and  that  in  these  three  instances  the  Noii 
German  Lloyd  Company  did  exercise  such  care. 

On  October  3d  we  went  to  Hamburg,  where,  in  company  with  Conj 
Johnson,  we  visited  several  of  the  emigrant  boarding  houses.  Tb 
are  not  equal  to  those  of  Bremen  with  respect  of  comfort  or  cost 


ENTOECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    Ill 

•ccomniodations,  the  i)rice  laiigiiig  from  2  to  3^  marks  per  day.  We 
i sited  the  "Gasthof  /Aim  Weissen  Adler,"  '^Gasthof  Meyer  &  Co.," 
Emigraiit  Hans  Louis  Fries  &  Co.,"  and  ''Heidler's  Hotel,"  the  last- 
first  c^ss  house  of  the  kind  and  the  best  of  the  lot.  At  all  of  these 
laces  we  made  the  same  inquiries  as  to  the  "inciting  cause"  for 
migration,  receiving  as  at  Bremen  the  same  replies  and  the  same  cor- 
)borative  evidence  that  they  were  sent  for  by  their  relatives  or  in-  ^ 
ueiiced  by  them  to  come,  and  the  only  exception  here  was  that  of  a* 
oung  woman  without  a  relative  in  America,  but  who  has  a  female 
ieud  living  in  the  United  States  who  sent  her  a  prepaid  ticket. 

INCITINO  CAUSES  OF  EMIGRATION   OF   GERMANS  FROM  RUSSIA. 

At  one  of  the  boarding  houses  in  Hamburg  we  met  a  number  of  Ger- 
lan-Kussians — that  is,  persons  born  in  Eussia  of  German  extraction,  or 
on- Jews.  They  were  destined  for  Kansas, having  relatives  and  friends 
I  ere.  At  another  place  we  found  a  large  number  of  the  same  kind 
oing  to  the  Argentine  Eepublic.  All  of  these  parties  stated  that  one 
I  the  reasons  for  their  emigration  was  the  failure  of  the  crops,  which 
irew  upon  the  communities  the  support  of  the  poorer  ones,  and  this 
lade  their  taxes  extremely  burdensome.  They  cited  as  an  additional 
?ason  the  pressure  brought  to  bear  upon  them  by  the  authorities, 
ermau  is  now  forbidden  to  be  taught  in  their  schools;  their  churches 
lust  be  built  according  to  plans  approved  by  the  Eussian  ofiicials,  and, 
hile  there  had  been  as  yet  no  edict  issued  by  the  Emperor  further  re- 
ricting  their  privileges,  it  was  the  common  talk  and  belief  among  their 
eople  that  su(*h  edict  or  edicts  would  be  issued,  and  that  the  best  way 
lit  of  their  troubles  Avas  to  either  join  the  Greek  Church  or  emigrate, 
liey  stated  to  us  that  all  will  go  who  can,  as  they  fear  that  the  same 
leasures  will  be  inaugurated  against  them  as  had  been  directed  against 
le  Jews.  The  increased  movement  of  this  class  of  immigrants  is  already 
I»])arent  at  the  port  of  New  York,  and  from  information  derived  from 
nri(ms  sources  the  coming  spring  will  probably  show  a  large  volume  of 
ich  immigration.  One  of  them  stated  that  within  the  past  few  months 
je  person  whom  they  had  elected  as  their  village  president  was  Corn- 
ell ed  to  conform  to  certain  religious  demands  of  the  Greek  Church  before 
!'  was  permitted  to  enter  upon  his  duties,  which  had  not  been  required 
p  to  that  time;  and  that  the  pressure  to  "Eussify"  all  foreigners  and 
)  baptize  them  in  the  Greek  faith  is  the  dominating  idea  of  the  Eus- 
an  and  church  officials.  All  of  these  people  were  farmers  and  intended 
)  till  the  soil  in  their  new  homes.  They  were  intelhgent  in  appearance 
Lid  evidently  industrious. 

At  another  place  one  of  the  emigrants  said  he  was  a  bricklayer,  and 
as  going  to  New  York,  where  his  brother  was  at  work  at  the  same 
ade.  His  brother  earned  about  as  much  in  one  day  as  he  was  able  to 
irn  at  home  in  a  week,  and  this  was  the  inciting  cause  of  his  emigra- 
on.  Another  man,  who  came  from  Germany,  gave  as  his  reason  for 
nigrating  that  he  was  no  longer  able  to  secure  work  to  support  him- 
'It  and  family  at  home;  that  he  had  been  earning  only  1  mark  per 
■<\y  m  summer  and  one-half  mark  in  winter,  with  some  potatoes  and 
ilk  in  addition,  but  these  extras  were  received  only  when  he  had 
ork,  which  has  now  become  very  scarce. 

At  another  place  we  found  a  young  woman  who  attracted  attention 
V  her  neat  appearance  and  an  English  word  which  she  mixed  in  with 
T  reply  to  the  usnal  questions  put  to  her  in  German.  We  learned  that 
ic  had  been  in  America  and  returned  to  Geimany  to  bring  back  her 


112    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

mother,  who  was  with  her,  as  also  two  other  young  girls,  all  of  tlio 
neat  and  tidy  in  appearance.  She  had  performed  housework  in  tl 
United  States. 

At  another  place  we  met  some  Italian s*who  were  going  to  ^n  Fi  ai 
Cisco,  Oal.,  among  tliem  one  who  spoke  some  English  and  who Tnid  hoc 
in  America  before,  returning  for  his  family.  Several  of  this  party  lia 
their  wives  with  them,  and  it  was  evident  they  intended  to  stay  in  tl 
United  States. 

At  one  of  the  boarding  houses  we  found  a  number  of  Slovacs  wl 
were  waiting  for  money  from  home.  It  was  stated  that  these  people  i 
order  to  get  across  the  border  left  their  homes  with  but  little  moiu 
and  for  the  purjjose,  they  said,  of  deceiving  the  officials.  If  they  c;iii 
to  the  border  without  means  it  would  be  corroboration  of  their  stoi 
that  they  did  not  intend  to  emigriite,  but  simply  desired  to  cross  to  f 
to  a  neighboring  village  or  city.  When  they  reach  Hamburg  they  to 
egrai)h  back  tor  money.  It  was  stated  by  tlie  boarding-house  keeyn 
that  funds  have  always  been  received  in  such  instances,  and  that  1 
keeps  them  at  his  hotel  without  hesitation  until  their  money  come 
which  in  no  instance  has  failed. 

At  oue  of  these  houses  we  found  a  notice  printed  in  German,  Polls! 
and  Hebrew,  signed  by  the  British  Consul,  advising  emigrants  that  ' 
is  not  to  their  iuterest  to  go  to  Great  Britain.    The  following  is  the  ii 
tice  referred  to : 

The  imdersig^ned,  royal  cousul-geueral  of  Great  Britain  at  Hamburg,  is  aullif 
ized  to  earnestly  warn  all  foreigners,  arriving  in  the  Hanseatic  Cities  (LuImm 
Bremen,  and  Hamburg)  for  the  purpose  of  taking  passage  to  Great  Britain  wiib 
view  of  finding  employment,  that  in  all  probability  they  will  be  deceived  in  th( 
expectations  to  get  means  for  a  livelihood  there. 

Chas.  S.  Dundas,' 
H.  B.  M.  Consul- General. 
Hamburg,  June  20,  IRQl. 

We  then  called  at  the  Hamburg  Steamship  Company's  office  and  r 
ceived  a  coj^y  of  the  circular  sent  out  to  their  agents  requiring  them - 
conform  to  our  immigration  laws  and  holding  agents  responsible  for* 
expenses  of  returned  emigrants  who,  on  appearance  at  least,  shoJ| 
have  been  refused.  It  was  stated  that  a  new  circular  will  be  issm 
still  more  strict  in  its  directions  and  which,  we  were  informed,  wou 
be  based  upon  the  better  understanding  of  our  laws  gained  at  the  co, 
ference  between  the  Commissioners  and  the  steamship  agents  at  Bremit 
on  October  1.  A  copy  of  this  circular  since  received  will  be  found  ( 
page  148.  We  also  saw  memoranda  entered  in  their  books  showii 
twenty-four  cases  which  had  been  referred  to  the  head  office  by  the 
subagents  for  decision  and  refused. 

On  Sunday,  October  4,  we  had  a  lengthy  interview  with  Mr.  Hi 
rickson,  who  is  the  president  of  the  local  committee  having  charge 
the  Jewish  exiles  at  Hamburg,  and  who  explained  to  us  the  methO' 
employed.  He  said  the  committee  was  working  only  in  behalf  of  tho 
Jewish  people  who  were  expelled  from  their  former  homes  in  Eussi 
that  their  books  showed  that  within  the  past  live  months  they  had  e 
tended  aid  to  about  7,000  people.  This  aid  consisted  in  furnishii 
tickets  and  parts  of  tickets  to  those  who  were  short  of  means  to  pi 
their  own  expenses,  and  to  those  who  had  tickets  but  little  means  1 
subsistence,  and  that  they  have  nothing  to  do  with,  and  do  not  s( 
those  who  have  i)rexjaid  tickets  sent  by  relatives  or  friends  or  who  ha 
means  to  take  them  to  their  destination.  The  great  majority  of  the 
are  able  to  and  do  provide  for  themselves.    He  also  informed  us  th 


ff 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    113 

he  plans  for  sending  them  to  the  Argentine  Repnblic  are  now  com- 
.lete,  and  that  tlie  fir.sc  detachment  under  the  new  arrangement,  con- 
isting  of  about  150  persons,  would  leave  for  that  place  on  the  next 
'uesday.  The  movement  lias  fallen  off  considerably,  and  he  said  that 
pplicatioiis  for  the  Argentine  Republic  are  less  than  they  can  now 
cconnnodate,  as  at  j^resent  thej^  are  prepared  to  receive  and  forward 
bout  300  per  week.  He  also  stated  that  the  committee  at  the  border 
u'med  a  short  time  ago  were  sending  back  those  not  fitted  to  make 
heir  way  in  foreign  countries,  and  that  since  their  formation  about 
00  from  Konigsberg  and  500  from  Mem  el  have  been  returned  to 
inssia.  Complaints  had  reached  him  that  certain  persons  at  the  fron- 
ier  acting  as  subagents  without  license  had  been  selling  tickets  above 
he  rates  of  the  regular  tarift^",  thereby  swindling  some  of  the  refugees, 
nd  that  he  had  called  the  attention  of  the  steamship  companies  to 
liesecomi^laints,  which  has  resulted  in  an  almost  complete  stoppage  of 
uch  extortions.  He  also  stated  that  these  people  after  sacrificing 
hat  they  still  had  to  sell  in  order  to  get  away,  Avere  fleeced  in  various 
ays  by  ofhcials  and  others  on  the  Eussian  side  of  the  border. 

BREMEN. 

Monday,  Ocfoher  5,  1S91. — Leaving  Commissioner  Kemi)ster  at  Ham- 
urg  tor  the  day.  Commissioner  Weber,  who  was  booked  to  sail  for  the 
Inited  States  the  next  day,  and  having  an  appointment  with  Senator 
larcus  at  Bremen,  returned  to  the  latter  place,  arriving  there  shortly 
Her  noon,  and  reports  individually  as  follows: 

Senator  Marcus  recently  introduced  in  the  Bremen  Senate  an  emi- 
ration  bill,  which  has  been  ordered  printed,  and  this  was  the  reason 
)r  arranging  for  a  meeting,  he  having  been  absent  from  the  city  on 
ur  first  visit  to  Bremen.  The  senator  has  given  much  thought  to  the 
iibject  of  emigration,  which  he  has  especially  in  charge,  and  readily 
xpressed  his  views  thereon.  He  stated  the  German  Government  is 
esirous  of  keeping  their  i^eople  at  home.  There  has  been  considerable 
iscussion  of  the  subject  of  emigration  for  the  past  few  years,  and  the 
rospect  now  is  that  there  will  be  legislation  in  that  direction  by  the 
ierman  Government  and  that,  tlierefore,  his  bill  will  be  permitted  to 
himber  pending  action  by  the  legislative  body  of  the  Empire.  The 
cope  of  the  existing  Bremen  laws  is  simply  to  protect  the  emigrant,  as 
liere  is  perfect  freedom  of  movement  for  those  desiring  to  leave,  except 
uch  as  are  liable  to  military  service,  which  class  is  forbidden  to  depart 
om  Bremen  the  same  as  from  other  parts  of  Germany. 

The  trend  of  the  discussions  upon  the  proposed  national  law  is  toward 
estriction  of  enn'gration.  The  German  Government  does  not  look 
indly  on  the  outward  movement,  believing  that  Germany's  agricul- 
iral  interests  suffer  in  consequence.  Any  obstacle  or  hindrance  which 
he  United  States  places  in  the  way  of  emigration  will  be  welcome  to 
iieir  Government,  and  especially  to  the  landed  gentry  of  Germany,  as 
ley  desire  their  i>eople  to  remain  at  home  and  keep  down  the  cost  of 

bor.    Continuing,  he  said : 

We  now  educate  the  cliildieii,  care  for  them  while  they  are  unable  to  provide  for 
icMuselves,  and  when  they  cease  to  be  a  burden  and  become  producers,  thus  adding 
)  the  nation's  wealtli,  they  emii>rate  to  the  United  States.  It  is  a  mistaken  idea 
jiat  the  element  wliicli  goes  out  is  an  undesirable  one;  on  the  contrary,  you  are 
raiuiuo  oil' the  better  portion  of  oui'  agricultural  communities. 

On    the  next  day,  October  G,  Commissioner  Weber  sailed  for  New 
H.  Ex.  235 8 


114    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

York  ou  tlic  steamer  Spree.  At  Bremer-liaveii  soldiers  were  noticed  wlio 
boarded  the  steamer  to  detect  and  prevent  young  men  capable  of  mili- 
tary service  from  leaving  the  country.  The  additional  medical  insp(  ( 
tioD  at  the  gang-plank  was  made  here  as  at  Liverpool,  and,  althou-li 
the  departmental  instructions  did  not  so  direct,  the  steerage  was  ex 
amlned  as  on  the  outward  trip.  As  the  return  trip  was  exceeding ly 
rough  and  tempestuous,  a  second  inspection  of  the  steerage  was  made 
before  reaching  New  York,  and  the  conditions  found  to  be  as  favoran'c 
as  possible  and  as  could  reasonably  be  exj)ected.  The  separation  ol 
the  sexes  was  carefully  provided  for,  with  proper  female  attendants  t(»i 
the  female  compartment,  and  the  mingling  of  men  and  women  forbiddtii 
except  in  the  daytime,  when  the  same  privileges  were  allowed  between 
decks  as  in  the  cabin. 

In  stormy  weather  no  place  on  board  ship  is  desirable,  and  the  veii 
tilation  in  the  steerage,  as  in  the  cabin,  is  unwholesome  and  unpleas 
ant.  Whether  this  can  be  improved  by  increasing  the  space  allotted 
to  each  steerage  passenger  is  a  question  which  can  be  better  answered 
by  the  officers  of  another  department  wlio  have  such  matters  officially 
in  charge,  and  if  so,  provided  for  through  Congressional  legislation. 

Commissioner  Kempster  reports  as  follows: 

Monday,  October  5,  visited  the  boaiding  honses  which  are  main 
tained  by  the  Jewish  committee  from  funds  contributed  by  the  resi 
dents  of  Hamburg  exclusively,  accom])anied  by  jMr.  David  Brasch,  ;iij 
assistant  to  President  11  inrichson,  who  aided  me  in  nuiking  the  ex- 
amination and  securing  information.  He  stated  that  the  committee i 
selected  only  the  strong  young  people  to  go  to  Argentina  or  the  United 
States,  and  that  tliey  furnislied  to  each  emigrant  a  document  issued  !)> 
the  committee,  setting  forth  the  facts  concerning  Baron  Hirsch's  col- 
onization scheme  in  Argentina. 

The  emigrants  go  from  the  several  boarding  houses  to  a  central  din- 
ing hall  where  they  are  furnished  with  meat  soup,  one  vegetable,  brown 
bread,  and  tea  tor  dinner.  I  visited  this  dining  hall  during  the  dinner 
hour  and  saw  UOO  people  seated  at  the  table.  1  conversed  with  many  ol 
them;  nearly  all  were  going  to  the  Argentine  Kepublh;,  a  few  were  en 
route  to  America.  Here  I  met  .Mr.  Woltf,  an  agent  of  Baron  Hirsch, 
who  is  to  accompany  the  party  to  the  Argentine  Republic;  from  him  I 
learned  that  they  are  now  prepared  to  receive  and  care  for  300  i)eo]de 
per  week.  They  divert  to  Argentina  all  they  can  i)ersuade  to  go,  al- 
though they  may  have  desired  to  go  elsewhere.  The  committee  assist 
many  who  have  not  sufficient  means  of  their  own,  as  Baron  Hirsch  has 
furnished  as  yet  no  funds  for  transportation  purposes.  IVFany  of  those 
I  saw  had  a  little  money  of  their  own,  but  the  jnajority  had  been 
assisted  to  some  extent;  in  other  instances  they  were  furnished  with 
half  tickets  for  their  children  or  a  sum  sufficient  to  make  out  their  own 
passage  money. 

All  those  going  to  Argentina  were  young  i)eople,  very  few  past  mid 
die  life  and  none  old.  There  were  many  children.  Xearly  all  were 
farmers  or  gardeners  and  came  from  the  Gubernia  Kherson,  in  south 
Itussia,  near  Odessa.  They  all  stated  that  the  pressure  against  the 
Jews  had  become  much  greater  quite  recently  and  that  the  same 
methods  were  now  being  used  for  their  ex])ulsion  which  were  in 
force  in  Moscow,  and  that  the  burdens  were  growing  contiuiu)usly 
greater.  There  were  several  who  had  received  only  twenty-foui 
hours  notice  to  go.  Some  were  taken  without  any  notice  and  marched 
away  by  the  police,  comi^elled  to  leave  ever}  thing  they  were  possessed 


EITl^ORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  115 

'fbcliiiul  them,  their  wliolo  present  possessions  bciiij;-  what  they  had 
11  their  pockets  and  on  tlieir  backs.     I  took  notes  of  some  cases. 

Hirsch  Meged,  from  the  Gubernia  Podolsk  (gave  passport),  a  farmer, 
lad  lived  there  twenty-three  years  and  rented  12  dissiatinas  (abont  24 
ores)  of  land  which  he  had  worked  eontiunously,  raising  garden,  vege- 
ables,  etc.  One  day  he  was  notified  verbally  by  the  police  that  he 
aust  go  away  because  he  had  no  right  to  live  there  longer.  He  said 
liat  he  considered  the  so-called  order  a  joke  and  did  not  leave.  A  few 
[ays  thereafter  the  i)olice  came  to  his  house  and  arrested  him,  taking 
lim  away  from  the  field  where  he  was  at  work  and  conducted  him  to 
ome  ofticial  who  informed  him  that  he  must  "  get  out"  at  once.  He  was 
lot  allowed  time  to  pack  up  his  household  belongings,  but  sold  some  of 
hem  to  a  friend  for  about  one-tenth  their  value  and  abandoned  the 
)alance.  He  is  going  to  the  Argentine  Kepublic  because  he  has  rela- 
ives  already  there.  He  paid  nearly  all  the  passage  money,  receiving  a 
ittle  from  the  committee  to  help  him  after  landing.  Is  not  going  on  to 
3aron  Hirsch's  land.  He  said  a  number  of  exiles  who  came  througli 
nth  him  are  going  to  Argentina  to  take  up  land  and  make  homes. 

Scholem  Abramowitz,  from  Kiev,  where  he  had  lived  for  twenty-four 
ears,  is  a  butcher,  and  said  he  supported  himself  and^  family  nicely, 
le  received  notice  to  leave  within  twenty-four  hours,  which  he  was 
obliged  to  do  and  had  not  time  to  pack  up  anything  except  a  few  clothes 
lud  some  bedding  which  he  put  into  bed  ticks.  He  was  forced  to  leave 
lis  shop  tools  and  other  property  behind.  He  was  compelled  to  sign 
he  usual  "  voluntary  agreement "  to  leave  within  twenty-four  hours, 
aking  his  wife  and  4  children  with  him.  He  exhibited  the  order  dated 
September  4,  1801.'  He  is  going  to  Memphis,  Tenn,,  where  he  has 
elatives. 

Menechen  Knepler,  from  Gubernia  of  Podolsk,  where  he  had  lived 
^even  years.  Was  an  innkeeper  and  had  all  the  necessary  licenses  to 
permit  him  to  carry  on  the  business  which  he  had  done  hitherto  unin- 
terruptedly. One  day  the  police  visited  his  place  and  asked  to  see  his 
juiiicense,  which  was  taken  away  by  them.  He  was  then  ordered  to  get 
'  out  at  once.  They  pushed  him  into  the  street  and  his  wife  with  him, 
iot  giving  them  time  to  eat  their  dinner,  then  prepared  and  on  the 
able.  "They  threw  my  farnitiire  out  on  to  the  street,  which  was  car- 
•ied  away  by  the  Christians.  I  have  made  my  way  here  as  best  I 
•ould  and  am  now  going  to  Argentina."  His  tickets  were  given  by 
the  coDimittee. 

Moses  Friedman,  from  Berhnitz,  Podolsk,  a  tobacco  i^lanter.  Had 
tented  5  dissiatinas  of  land  for  eight  years  and  worked  continuously 
it  this  business.  He  was  notified  to  leave  inside  of  two  weeks,  because 
lie  was  a  Jew.  He  tried  to  sell  his  possessions,  but  could  get  nothing 
tor  them,  and  w^as  comi)elled  to  abandon  all  things  he  could  not  carry 
in  his  box,  including  his  household  i)ossessions.  He  is  going  to  Ar- 
L' en  tin  a,  because  his  father-in-law  is  there.  He  had  not  quite  money 
enongh  to  take  himself  and  wife  there  and  received  some  aid  from  the 
local  committee. 

Leib  fSternmann,  from  Podolsk,  where  he  was  born,  aged  25  years, 
tanner,  ordered  to  leave  in  twenty-four  hours  "because  I  am  a  Jew." 
Has  always  been  a  farmer,  and  he  said,  "I  do  not  know  how  to  do  any- 
thing else."  He  is  going  to  the  Argentine  Eepublic,  but  not  on  Baron 
Hirsch's  land.     He  is  unmarried  and  a  stalwart  looking  fellow. 

Modche  Blitzniann,  from  Podolsk,  had  lived  there  five  years  and 
had  followed  gardening  as  an  occuj^ation,  having  rented  3  dissiatinas 
(abont  (J  acres).  One  day  the  police  came  to  him  and  ordered  him  to 
go  at  once  J  he  had  no  other  notice,  and  was  obliged  to  go  without  being 


116    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.        I 

able  to  sell  either  Ids  produce,  tools,  or  liouseliold  effects.  He  Lad  but 
ii  few  articles  with  him,  and  these  were  snatched  up  in  the  haste  of 
departure  from  his  home.  He  is  going  to  Argentena,  where  his  father- 
in-law  has  been  working  for  seven  years,  but  not  on  Baron  Hirsch's 
land.     The  committee  had  furnished  him  some  aid. 

Michael  Weiner,  from  Podolsk,  where  he  had  lived  eight  years,  work- 
ing as  a  gardener  in  the  summer  months  and  as  a  bookbinder  in  the 
winter.  He  received  from  the  police  a  verbal  order  to  leave,  but  not 
regarding  it  as  a  serious  matter,  did  not  go.  He  was  then  arrested, 
lined  3(10  rubles,  and  put  out  of  the  country  without  having  time  given 
him  to  close  out  his  business.  This  man  is  aged  30,  strong  and  healthy, 
has  a  wife  and  one  child.   Is  going  to  'New  York,  where  he  has  an  uncle. 

Melech  Muller,  Dudno,  Gubernia  of  Keiv,  cigar  maker,  21  years  of 
age,  wife  and  two  small  children,  lived  in  Kiev  since  childhood.  Ee- 
ceived  an  order  to  get  out  of  Dudno  as  he  had  no  right  to  live  there 
because  he  was  a  Jew.  He,  therefore,  picked  up  what  few  things  he 
could  in  the  haste  of  leaving,  not  having  time  to  settle  his  business  or 
pack  up  his  household  effects,  all  of  whicJx  were  left  behind,  including 
even  some  of  the  clothing  belonging  to  his  children.  He  is  going  to 
Chicago,  where  he  has  an  uncle.  The  cases  here  given  were  not  se- 
lected. The  notes  were  taken  at  the  time  and  the  answers  taken  down 
as  given,  and  as  the  men  presented  themselves  they  exhibited  in  each 
case  passports,  tickets,  letters,  etc.  These  experiences  could  be  du- 
plicated by  the  hundred,  but  a  sufficient  number  has  been  given  to  es- 
tablish the  truth  of  the  wholesale  manner  in  which  the  people  are  be- 
ing driven  out. 

EMIGRATION  OF  GERMAN  RUSSIANS. 

It  was  here  that  I  met  with  the  stream  of  Germans,  not  members  of 
the  Eusso-Greek  faith,  who  are  leaving  Eussia  because  of  the  '*  pres- 
sure" brought  to  bear  on  them.  There  was  a  group  of  about  50  persons 
in  one  boarding  house,  and  as  the  several  statements  were  practically 
the  same,  I  have  repeated  the  one  made  by  a  man  who  was  the  leader  of 
the  party  which  was  made  up  of  Christians  or  non-Jews. 

Michael  Hoffmann,  from  near  Odessa,  aged  45,  with  wife  and  four 
children.  Has  lived  for  twenty  years  on  a  farm,  which  he  has  carried 
on  himself  with  some  extra  laborers  employed  in  the  harvest  time.  Has 
made  a  good  living  and  laid  up  a  little  money,  and  expected  to  remain 
on  his  farm  as  long  as  he  lived,  but  there  had  been  such  a  change  in 
the  way  the  Germans  had  been  treated  lately  that  he  in  common  with 
many  others  decided  to  leave  while  they  could  do  so  without  serious 
financial  loss.  Questioned  as  to  what  the  conditions  were,  he  said  that 
for  many  years  the  German  settlers  had -been  permitted  to  elect  one  of 
their  number  who  acted  as  a  presiding  officer  at  their  village  delibera- 
tions and  who  was  the  means  of  communication  between  the  Eussian 
authorities  and  themselves.  This  official  acted  without  compensation 
and  his  office  was  entirely  an  honorary  one.  A  German  was  elected,  as 
heretofore,  this  year,  but  he  was  informed  by  the  police  that  before  he 
could  act  in  the  usual  capacity  he  must  conform  to  certain  new  pre- 
scribed regulations  and  also  "kiss  the  Eussian  Christ."  Asked  wliat 
he  meant  by  this,  he  said  it  was  the  picture  of  some  saint  and  not  the 
image  of  our  Savior,  and  he  did  not  think  it  right  to  seal  his  oatli  upon 
the  i)icture  of  some  saint  he  knew  nothing  about,  consequently  he  was 
not  permitted  to  act,  and  the  little  community  had  no  representative. 
He  also  said  that  heretofore  the  Gernums  had  been  permitted  to  build 
their  own  schools  and  chui^ches  at  their  own  expense  and  without  being 


n 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    117 


interfered  witli.  At  tlie  time  the  order  was  issued  preventing  the 
Elected  president  to  act,  another  order  was  made  by  the  police  to  the 
fettect  that  before  any  church  or  school  could  be  built  thereafter  the 
plans  of  a  new  building  or  the  alteration  or  improvement  of  an  old  one 
must  first  be  submitted  to  the  Holy  Synod  for  approval  or  to  the  per- 
son representing  the  Holy  Synod  at  that  place.  This  meant  that  all 
plans  must  be  submitted  to  the  priest  in  charge  of  the  Russo-Greek 
church  in  that  village.  He  would  take  the  i)lans  and  alter  them  so  that 
a  building  suitable  for  their  wants  and  which  could  be  built  for  GOO  or 
700  rubles  was  so  changed  that  it  would  cost  as  many  thousands  to 
Ibuild  it  or  alter  it,  so  that  the  contemi^lated  imi)rovement  was  pre- 
vented. 

He  said  that  the  Germans  had  always  had  their  chiUlren  taught  the 
Eussian  language  and  Russian  studies  in  their  schools,  but  that  they 
had  also  been  taught  to  speak  and  write  the  German  language.  At 
ithis  time  an  order  was  issued  that  liereafter  the  children  must  not  be 
'taught  to  speak  or  write  the  German  language ;  also  that  the  taxes, 
Iwhich  were  heavy  enough  before,  had  recently  been  very  considerably 
increased,  which  made  it  much  more  difficult  to  secure  a  living.  It  was 
jopenly  talked  before  them  that  if  the  Germans  would  join  the  Eusso- 
jGreek  Church  many  restrictions  would  be  removed  and  living  be  made 
ieasier  for  them.  Then,  said  Mr.  Hoffman,  the  Germans  held  some  se- 
cret meetings  and  talked  all  these  things  over. 

We  realized  that  the  measures  complained  of  by  the  Germans  were  much  the  same 
as  those  which  were  first  put  in  force  against  the  Jews  two  years  ago,  and  that  the 
Russian  Government  intended  to  do  b}'  us  as  it  had  done  by  them.  So  we  secretly 
resolved  to  sell  oif  our  stuif  while  we  could  get  a  fair  price  and  move  out  before  more 
severe  orders  came  and  we  should  be  compelled  to  leave  our  possessions  behind,  as 
the  Jews  do  now.  In  conseijuence  of  this  resolve,  they  were  moving  out  quietly, 
leaving  the  communities  where  they  had  formerly  lived,  a  few  at  a  tiuie,  and  meet- 
ing at  Hamburg  6t  Bremen,  and  from  here  we  go  together  to  our  new  home  (in  this 
case  the  Argentine  Republic). 

Mr.  Hoffman  was  the  center  of  a  group  of  about  fifty,  all  from  the 
^ame  neighborhood,  who  stood  around  him  giving  close  attention  as  he 
■made  the  foregoing  statement,  and  when  asked  if  he  had  stated  facts 
they  replied  collectively,  ''Yes;  he  has  told  much,  but  not  all." 

Mr.  Hoffman  stated  farther  that  the  movement  of  the  Germans  had 
commenced  in  earnest,  and  that  there  was  very  little  hope  that  there 
would  be  a  suspension  of  the  i)olice  regulations  under  which  it  was  now 
so  burdensome  for  them  to  live.  He  was  asked  if  the  "regulations" 
compUiined  of  were  known  to  the  Czar.  The  reply  was  that  he  had  no 
jkuowledge  of  an  edict  ordering  them  to  go,  but  that  it  was  plain  to  him 
that  sooner  or  later  every  one  who  is  not  a  member  of  the  Russian 
Ichurch  must  "get  out."  Other  members  of  this  party  corroborated 
iMr.  Hoffman's  statements,  and  each  narrative  contained  accounts  of 
personal  grievances  and  losses  resulting  from  the  enforcement  of  tlie 
mew  regulations,  whicli  they  characterized  as  harsh  in  the  extreme  and 
'under  wliicli  men  could  not  live.  The,7  estimated  the  number  of  Ger- 
mans, non-Jews,  who  would  go  out  under  these  regulations  at  200,000. 

This  party  was  going,  with  their  families,  including  many  small  chil- 
dren, to  the  Argentine  Republic,  where  they  expected  to  buy  farms 
and  follow  their  regular  business.  They  were  nearly  all  men  in  iniddle 
life  or  younger,  and  were  fine  looking,  well-dressed,  intelligent  men  and 
'women,  and  appeared  as  though  they  would  make  good  citizens  in  any 
country. 

Several  other  boarding  houses  were  visited  and  inspected  where  I 
conversed  witii  the  inmates  who  were  preparing  for  the  trip  to  the  Ar- 
gentine Republic  for  which  placte  they  were  to  sail  the  next  day.    No 


118  ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   x.aWS. 

new  points  were  learned,  the  statements  made  above  were  repeated: 
they  were  all  driven  from  the  old,  and  were  seeking  the  new  home. 

COLOGNE. 

From  Hamburg  I  returned  to  Bri3men.  Having  to  pass  through 
Cologne  ou  my  way  to  Loudon,  I  stopped  there  October  7  to  as(;ertaiu 
if  possible  whether  any  of  the  other  commissioners  had  visited  that, 
part  of  Germany.  Mr.  Wamer,  the  consul,  was  absent  owing  to  illness. 
He  h'ad  answered  our  circular  letter.  The  consulate  was  in  charge  of 
Mr.  Maxvvell  who  informed  me  that  Commissioner  Schulteis  had  been 
at  Bonn,  near  Cologne,  about  four  wrecks  and  that  he  had  once  visited 
the  consulate.  He  knew  nothing  of  the  whereabouts  of  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  commission. 

Workmen  are  very  poor  here,  so  poor  that  they  can  not  lay  up  enough  money  to 
get  away.  All  artisans  are  required  to  keep  a  book  in  which  their  occupation  is 
stated  and  they  can  not  got  a  situation  in  any  place  without  showing  why  they  lelt 
tlieir  former  employer.  This  method  is  strictly  adhered  to  and  is  under  police  regu- 
lation so  that  none  of  them  try  to  obtain  work  without  producing  their  books.  lu 
the  farming  and  wine-growing  districts  wages  are  better  and  men  can  therefore  get 
away  more  readily  but  there  is  not  much  emigration  from  this  part  of  Germany  for 
the  reason  that  men  here  are  too  poor  to  go  and  in  the  vine -growing  region  wages 
are  better  and  they  do  not  want  to  go.  List  of  wages  and  prices  of  food  will  be 
Bent  to  Col.  Weber,  New  York.     (See  vol.  ii.) 

Mr.  Maxwell,  who  gave  the  information,  said  that  they  are  troubled 
somewhat  with  cases  of  young  men  who  go  to  America  and  are  given 
citizenship,  then  return  home  and  attemxit  to  evade  military  duty  be- 
cause they  are  American  citizens.  He  said  there  are  two  instances 
known  to  him,  where  in  spite  of  American  naturalization  papers  the 
young  men  were  arrested  and  are  now  serving  in  the  German  army. 
He  said  one  of  the  great  grievances  Germany  has  against  the  United 
States  is  the  fact  th;it  men  go  to  America  to  evade  military  duty,  tlien 
return  home  and  claim  exemption  under  the  American  naturalization 
papers;  there  are  very  few  applications  at  the  consulate  for  informa- 
tion concern.ing  emigration  to  America,  and  it  is  his  belief  that  very  ' 
few  go.  There  are  plenty  of  workmen  liere;  the  labor  market  is  well 
stocked,  and  the  condition  of  life  among  the  laboring  men  is  very  i)Oor. 

Alien  paupers,  or  people  who  become  burdens  upon  the  community, 
are  taken  to  the  nearest  border  and  put  across  the  line.  An  English 
pauper  would  not  be  sent  to  England,  but  would  be  i>ut  over  the  line 
into  the  country  adjoining  this  and  forbidden  to  return ;  they  would 
not  go  to  the  trouble  or  expense  of  sending  him  to  England  or  any 
other  country. 

From  Cologne  I  went  to  London  for  the  purpose  of  getting  coi)ies  of 
"emigration  laws"  and  other  statistical  information  used  in  the  report.  U 

After  securing  the  information  desired,  passage  was  taken  on  the  * 
steamship  Majestic,  sailing  from  Liverpool,  October  21.  I  witnessed 
the  examination  and  embarkation  of  the  steerage  passengers  at  Liver 
pool  and  Queenstown,  in  all  925,  and,  as  on  the  outward  trip,  visited 
and  inspected  the  steerage  and  conversed  with  the  passengers.  Tiie 
voyage  toward  home  was  very  rough,  making  transatlantic  travel  dis- 
agreeable in  aTl  parts  of  the  vessel.  There  was  no  complaint  amonu 
the  steerage  passengers  as  to  food,  accommodation,  or  anything  tlsc. 
During  the  da^^  when  not  too  stormy,  they  came  on  deck,  and  at  sun 
down  all  the  women  were  re([uired  to  go  to  their  quarters,  which  was  ;i 
separate  apartment  in  anotiiei-  part  of  the  ship,  far  removed  from  the 
men's,  with  which  there  was  no  communication. 


RESUMPTION     OF    JOINT    REPORT. 

Having  detailed  our  daily  itinerary  from  the  time  of  landing  in 
Europe  until  departure  therefrom,  and  recorded  our  observations  as 
we  found  them  in  the  order  of  our  visit  to  the  several  countries,  Ave 
now  present  our  conclusions  and  report  upon  the  several  propositions 
embodied  in  our  letter  of  instructions  from  the  Department  and  in  the 
order  therein  laid  down.  We  repeat  here,  in  order  that  it  may  be 
.borne  in  mind,  that  these  conclusions  and  the  foregoing  report  refer 
only  to  Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster,  except  as  specifically 
stated,  and  relate  alone  to  the  countries  and  cities  which  tliey  visited, 
viz,  Liverpool,  Paris,  and  the  northern  part  of  France,  Belgium,  Hol- 
land, parts  of  Germany,  Russia,  Poland,  Galicia,  Hungary,  and  Aus- 
tria, the  other  commissioners  making  separate  reports  covering  obser- 
vations of  countries  visited  by  them. 

It  lias  already  been  shown  tliat  a  series  of  questions  were  propounded 
by  aud  through  a  circular  letter  to  the  consuls  stationed  in  Europe,  to 
whi(;h  replies  Avere  received  from  67.  The  substance  of  the  replies  is 
tabulated,  and,  with  the  letters  in  full,  published  in  the  second  A^olume. 

Here  it  may  be  recorded  that  from  every  consul  personally  visited 
Ave  received  courteous  attention  and  assuran(;es  of  hearty  coo})eration 
ill  our  labors.  In  estimating  the  value  of  these  consular  replies,  Ave 
desire  to  call  attention  to  the  fiict  that  with  many  of  the  consuls  the 
subject  of  emigration,  being  outside  the  scope  of  their  regular  duties, 
was  practically  a  new  one,  and  that  in  many  of  the  districts  emigration 
is  insignificant,  as  stated  by  them.  Upon  this  point  we  desire  to  quote 
.  jthe  substance  of  a  statement  made  by  one  of  the  most  experienced  and 
intelligent  consular  officials  AA^ho  has  for  many  years  been  connected 
with  the  service  as  representative  abroad,  having  served  in  various 
countries  of  Europe  whi(!h  haA^e  furnished  and  do  furnish  us  a  large 
number  of  emigrants.  He  said  that  a  consul  is,  in  a.  sense,  a  represent- 
ative of  tlie  government  to  which  he  is  accredited,  and  therefore  his 
reply  to  our  circular  letter  of  inquiry  might  be,  and  probably  would  be, 
affected  by  his  dual  character.  In  the  event  that  such  answer  im- 
plied neglect  or  indifferenc©-  on  the  part  of  a  foreign  governmental 
official  his  exequater  would  be  immediately  revoked,  meaning  by  this, 
as  he  explained,  that  a  statement  made  by  a  consul  that  (criminals  or 
paupers  are  sent  to  the  United  States  by  the  authorities  in  Europe 
Avould,  in  some  countries,  imply  a  neglect  of  duty  involving  a  violation 
of  law  on  the  part  of  such  officials. 

PRINCIPAL   CAUSES  INCITING  EMIGRATION. 

The  inquiry  first  laid  down  in  your  letter  of  instructions  is: 

The  principal  causes  whicli  operate  in  the  several  countries  of  Europe  to  incite 
emigration  to  the  United  States. 

II    Except  in  Kussia,  where  emigration  is  abnormal,  as  we  have  already 
reported  in  detail  in  the  chapter  devoted  to  the  conditions  in  Russia, 

119 


120    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

we  submit  in  answer  to  tliis  inquiry  tlie  following:  Primarily  these 
causes  are  the  superior  conditious  of  living  in  the  United  States,  higher 
wages,  fewer  hours  of  labor,  better  living,  and  the  exemption  from 
the  exactions  imposed  by  foreign  governments  upon  their  citizens,  sucli 
as  military  duty,  burdensome  taxes,  and  regulations  involving  free- 
dom of  movement  and  personal  liberty,  and  the  general  belief  that 
the  United  States  presents  better  opportunities  for  rising  to  a  higluM 
level  than  are  furnished  at  home.  The  information  as  to  such  condi 
tion  is  not,  at  the  present  time  at  least,  furnished  by  the  imblic  press 
of  Europe,  but  on  the  contrary,  as  we  were  informed  by  the  consul  ac- 
credited to  one  of  the  larger  countries,  they  publish  statements  wbich 
speak  slightingly  or  even  in  a  derogatory  manner  of  the  condition  of 
affairs  in  this  country.  The  knowledge  springs  chiefly  from  the  rela- 
tives or  friends  who  have  preceded  and  are  established  in  the  United 
States  and  avIio,  through  letters  and  newspapers  sent  from  this  coun-, 
try,  furnish  such  information.  No  one  can  tell  of  the  relative  di If er-j 
ence  of  conditions  between  this  country  and  the  old  as  well  as  those 
who  have  tried  them  both.  No  one  can  make  clearer  to  those  remain- ; 
ing  in  Europe  the  superiority  of  our  conditions,  and  no  authority  is  by 
them  regarded  so  reliable  as  that  of  the  member  of  the  family  already 
here.  Glowing  accounts  or  flaming  advertisements  setting  forth  our 
advantages,  even  if  resorted  to  or  permitted,  on  the  one  hand,  or 
doleful  statements  of  business  depression  on  the  other,  have  little  eftect 
or  influence  on  the  mind  of  the  European  who  is  in  communication 
Avith  a  member  of  his  family  whose  judgment  he  understands  and  the 
reliability  of  Avhose  statements  he  can,  because  of  his  knowledge  of  the 
individual  making  them,  correctly  estimate  at  their  true  value. 

These  agencies  are  the  most  active  in  ijrocming  recruits  for  the  New 
World.  We  estimate  that  nearly  60  per  cent  of  the  emigrants  who  land 
in  our  country  come  upon  prepaid  tickets  or  money  sent  by  friends  al 
ready  here,  these  in  turn  influencing  a  considerable  i3ercentage  of  emi 
gration  whi(ih  comes  on  tickets  i)urchased  directly  in  the  Old  World. 
This  ])repaid  business  is  largely  afl'ected  and  increased  by  even  tempo- 
rary imx)rovement  in  our  conditions  here.  Tlius,  a  good  crop  year  and 
the  attendant  growth  of  business  ])rosperity  swells  the  volume  of  this 
feature  of  emigration.  So  ftir  as  tliis  percentage  is  concerned,  it  argnc^s 
against  the  belief  which  exists  in  the  minds  of  many  of  our  i3eople  that 
the  quality 'of  emigration,  as  to  •character,  is  inferior  to  that  of  former 
years,  as  it  necessarily  follows  that  the  class  who  are  prepaid,  belongiuu 
to  the  same  families  of  those  who  prepay,  must  be  of  the  same  general 
character. 

This  information  as  to  our  conditions 'is  also  supplcm.ented  by  the 
large  number  of  persons  who  return  to  their  native  lands  temporarily 
and  whose  improved  appearance,  enhanced  prosperity,  and  statements 
to  their  old  friends  disseminate  the  knowledge  ot  the  better  conditions 
in  this  country.     A  reference  to  the  table  ot  steerage  passengers  return- 
ing to  all  parts  of  Europe  during  the  past  year,  as  shown  in  vol.  it, 
demonstrates   the  volume  of  this  business.    Low  passage  rates,  sea 
and  inland,  affect  the  currents  both  coming  and  going.    The  combi 
nation  of  the  principal  continental  lines  recently  entered  into,  having 
for  its  principal  objec^t  the  raising  of  rates,  will  be  regarded  as  interest- 
ing and  more  or  less  important.     Generally  wherever  the  manufacturing 
industries  are  active  emigration  is  sluggish.     Wherever  the  wages  are  , 
fairly  good,  as  compared  with  their  standard  of  wants  and  manner  of, 
livijig,  emigration  is  small. 

Thus  we  iind  in  France,  Holland,  and  Belgium  a  reasonably  contented 
and  xjrosxjerous  people,  and  the  statistics  show  that  the  emigration  from 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    121 

tliese  countries  to  our  own  lias  been  and  is  small.  France,  with  its 
37,500,000  of  inliabitauts,  sent  to  Kew  Yoi'k  last  j'-ear  but  4,388  immi- 
grants out  of  a  total  of  405,664,  while  Belgium,  with  its  5,600,000  i>oim- 
hition,  furnished  2,458,  and  Holland,  with  its  4,114,000  population,  sent 
4,141  for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1891. 

In  Hungary,  which  impressed  us  as  containing  the  most  contented 
and  happy  people  of  all,  we  found  that  while  the  emigration  to  the 
United  States  is  heavy,  reaching  26,433  for  last  year,  a  large  proi)ortion 
comes  from  the  Carpathian  Mountain  or  Slovac  region,  where  the  people 
are  the  most  ignorant  and  the  soil  the  most  unproductive  in  the  coun- 
try. They  are  a  class  of  people,  differing  so  radically  from  the  Hunga- 
rian proper,  that  they  may  be  said  to  be  a  separate  race  or  nationaUty. 

In  addition  to  the  superior  conditions  prevailing  here,  the  conditions 
in  Europe  greatly  affect  the  outflow.  Short  crops,  industrial  depression, 
racial  persecutions,  rumors  and  anticipations  of  war  swell  the  tide.  At 
the  present  time  there  is  a  general  feeling  that  war  is  imminent,  and  un- 
til that  has  been  allayed  it  will  act  as  an  additional  inciting  cause  to 
stimulate  departure  from  Europe.  On  the  other  hand,  this  apprehension 
of  war  promi)ts  increased  efforts  on  the  part  of  the  government  officials 
to  prevent  emigration,  but  their  restrictions  apply  only  to  that  element 
which,  by  reason  of  age  and  capability,  is  considered  a  productive  and 
desirable  one  and  suitable  for  military  service. 

Briefly  stated,  the  inciting  causes  of  emigration  from  Europe,  aside 
from  Russia,  are  the  superior  conditions  here  comi)ared  to  the  condi- 
tions on  the  other  side  and  until  such  conditions  are  relatively  more 
nearly  equalized  there  will  be  a  natural  flow,  retarded  by  depression  on 
11  this  side  and  increased  by  our  pros^ierity  or  by  dei)ression  on  the  other 
^side  and  the  presence  or  anticipation  of  war. 

In  concluding  this  branch  of  our  inquiries,  we  present  here  a  clipping 
from  the  London  Times  of  June  19, 1891,  containing  a  dispatch  from 
the  British  ambassador  at  Berlin  and  a  letter  from  Mr.  Bleichroeder, 
who  we  understand  is  the  British  consul-general  at  that  place.  It  may 
not  be  considered  so  pertinent  to  the  question  of  ^'inciting  immigration," 
but  it  is  plainly  in  the  direction  of  diverting  it  from  England  to  America. 
It  is  of  course  merely  advisory,  as  England  has  at  present  no  laws 
restricting  immigration  or  emigration. 

JEWISH  IMMiaRATION. 

The  following  dispatch  has  been  received  at  the  foreign  office  of  Her 
Majesty's  ambassador  at  Berlin : 

Berlin,  June  IS. 

My  Loud:  On  receiving  your  lorrlsbip's  telegram  of  yesterdaj'  desiring  me  to  in- 

■  quire  into  thie  truth  of  a  telegram  whicli  appeared  in  the  Times  of  the  16th  instant, 

and  to  warn  destitute  Jews  that  the  labor  markets  in   the  United  Kingdom  are 

I  already  overstocked,  I  addressed  myself  at  once  to   Herr  von   Bleichroeder,  Her 

j  Majesty's  consul-general,  who  is  a  leading    member  of  the  Jewish  community  at 

Berlin,  and  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose  herewith  a  copy  of  a  letter  from  him  stating 

the  measures  which  he  has  taken  in  consequence. 

I  also  placed  myself  in  communication  with  Herr  Landau,  president  of  the  Jewish 
relief  committee,  and  I  learn  from  him  that  the  statement  in  the  Times  to  which  you 
refer  is  6ul)stantially  correct.  Jews  are  arriving  from  Russia  at  the  rate  of  700  per 
day,  and  the  committee  has  the  greatest  difficulty  in  coi)ing  with  the  influx.  A 
subscription  has  been  raised  which  amounts  to  about  260,000  marks  (£13,000)  for 
their  relief.  Herr  Landau  says  that  none  of  the  refugees  have  been  forwarded  to 
England,  and  that  it  has  been,  and  will  continue  to  be,  the  object  of  the  committeo 
to  prevent  any  from  going  there,  as  it  is  well  aware  that  the  labor  market  in  that 
country  is  already  overstocked. 
I  have,  etc., 

E.  B.  Malkt. 
The  Marquis  of  Salisbury,  K.  G. 


122    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Berlin,  June  12, 

Your  Excellency:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yonr  excf 
lency's  dispatch  of  this  day's  date,  and  beg  to  inform  your  excellency  that  some  tin 
ago  1  inade  every  effort  to  prevent  destitute  Russian  Jews  from  emigrating  to  EnglaU' 
aiid  suggested  that  they  should  be  sent  to  America  or  Palestine.  I 

In  compliance  with  your  excellency's  and  Lord  Salisbury's  desire,  I  have  giv€- 
instructious  at  once  to  the  central  committee  for  the  expatriated  Russian  .lews  : 
Chiirlottenburg  to  issue  at  once  an  efficient  warning  to  the  Jews,  for  the  purpose  i 
})revejit  them  from  emigrating  to  England  by  stating  that  the  labor  markets  i 
England  are  .ilieady  overstocked. 

I  further  advised  the  committee  to  do  their  utmost  in  order  to  restrain  those  Jew 
from  going  to  England  who  had  chosen  England  as  their  place  of  destination  pri( 
to  the  warning. 

I  shall  always  be  at  your  excellency's  disposal  whenever  your  excellency  shoul 
suggest  that  another  course  must  be  adopted. 
1  have,  etc., 

G.  V.  Bleichroedek 

His  Excellency  Sir  Edward  Malet,  G.  C.  B. 

EXTENT   OF  STIMULATION   OF  EMIGRATION  BY  STEAMSHIP  OR  OTHEl 
CARRYING  COMPANIES. 

The  extent  to  which  the  movement  is  promoted  or  stimulated  by  steamship  o 
other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resulting  passenger  business. 

Upon  this  inquiry,  of  the  sixty-seven  replies  received  from  the  con 
suls  sixty-three  reported  that  the  movement  is  not  promoted  or  stimu 
lated  by  steamship  or  other  carrying  companies  or  their  agents.  Ii: 
the  case  of  the  four  who  did  not  report  '^  no  "  plainly,  we  quote  fron 
their  replies  on  this  point  as  follows: 

From  Palermo  we  are  informed : 

No  inducements  are  shown  to  be  extended  by  agents  of  steamship  companies  ei 
cept  the  argument  indulged  in  by  every  agent  of  higher  wages,  more  employment 
better  living,  etc.,  in  the  United  States. 

From  Stockholm  we  learn : 

For  the  most  part  by  the  different  steamship  line  agents  and  by  relatives.  Onlji 
comparatively  few  go  out  from  their  own  desire  to  change  and  try  the  United  States*) 

From  Berne,  Switzerland,  the  consul  reports  that: 

The  Compagnie  G6n6rale  Transatlantique  runs  special  emigrant  trains  from  Baslej 
to  Havre  by  way  of  the  Jura-Simplon  Railroad  in  Switzerlaud  and  the  Chemin  de" 
fer  de  I'Est  in  France.  These  emigrants  are  forwarded  by  the  emigrant  agency 
**Zwilclienbart"  of  Basle  and  are  provided  with  through  tickets  to  New  York  or  to, 
their  destination  in  the  United  States.  They  are  collected  from  all  parts  of  the 
country  where  the  agency  ''Zwilchenbart"  has  agents. 

From  Ohristiania,  Norway,  we  are  informed :  | 

The  British  steamship  lines  forwarding  emigrants  from  this  port  to  the  United 
States  have  promoted  emigration  and  are  probably  still  doin^  so  by  agents  travel- 
ing in  the  rural  districts  and  recommending  their  respective  lines.  I  am  unable  to 
state  to  what  extent  the  emigration  has  been  promoted  by  such  agents,  but  am  iu- 
formed  by  the  official  statistics  of  emigration,  published  here  every  year,  that  more 
than  one-half  of  the  passage  money  for  the  Norwegian  emigrants  leaving  for  the 
United  States  is  prepaid  in  America.  Besides  tickets,  much  money  is  also  sent  to 
friends  and  relatives  who  may  be  willing  to  emigrate. 

In  some  of  the  countries  steamship  agents  are  forbidden  by  laws,  im- ' 
posing  harsh  i)enalties,  not  only  froin  promoting  or  stimulating  emi- 
gration, but  from  furnishing  information  of  any  kind  to  au  intending 
emigrant  beyond  sailing  dates,  prices  of  tickets,  etc.,  and  in  Prussia 
they  are  not  permitted  to  furnish  this  unless  application  for  such  in- 
formation is  made  first  by  the  intending  emigrant.  Steamship  agents 
there  are  required  to  notify  the  local  authorities  at  the  home  of  the  ap- 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    123 

)licant  within  t^Yenty-four  hours  of  the  sale  of  a  ticket  either  by  mail 
)r  telegraph. 

Among  the  most  pertinent  answers  from  consuls  upon  this  point 
ue  the  following: 

From  Consul  General  Julius  Goldschmidt,  Vienna:  / 

The  agents  of  steamsliip  companies,  who  must  be  Hceused  by  the  Government,  may 
>roi)a^a'te  their  business  only  in  the  way  of  advertisement  in  the  public  })apers.  All 
luitatiou  and  persuasion  in  favor  of  emigration  have  been  strictly  prohibited  by  the 
iovemmeut.  Business  concessions  are  only  granted  on  the  condition  that  no  pro- 
)aganda  must  be  made  to  encourage  emigration.  Printed  pamphlets  designed  for 
ho  promoting  of  emigration  arc  prohibited  by  the  law.  The  police  authorities  exer- 
ise  strict  control  over  all  matters  connected  therewith. 

From  Consul-General  W.  H.  Edwards,  Berlin : 

As  far  as  I  can  ascertain  the  emigrant  agents  at  present  at  work  in  Germany  are 
iiostly  engaged  in  turning  the  current  of  emigration  in  favor  of  the  respective  steam- 
hip  or  railroad  lines  which  they  represent. 

From  Consul  John  S.  Twells,  ^N'aples: 

I  am  advised  that  while  emigration  is  still  free  and  voluntary  it  is  not  desired  by 

he  Italian  Government,  as  of  late  two  whole  districts  have  been  nearly  depopulated 
if  men.  thus  dex)riving  the  army  and  navy  of  most  useful  material,  nor  is  it  en- 
•ouraged  to  the  same  extent  by  the  steamship  agents  for  the  reason  that  although 
he  passenger  business  is  very  profitable  to  the  three  lines  of  steamers  sailing  between 
Naples  and  New  York,  yet  owing  to  the  penalty  imposed  by  the  authorities  on  ves- 
els  transp(U"ting  paupers,  diseased  or  otherwise  undesirable  people  to  the  United 
states,  they  do  not  solicit  passengers  indiscriminately  as  they  formerly  did  through 
lihe  ert'orts  of  hired  agents.  Two  years  ago  a  large  number  of  these  agents,  for  the 
?onunission  which  they  received  on  the  sale  of  tickets,  used  every  exertion  to  promote 
ind  encourage  emigration  to  the  United  States  regardless  of  the  class  or  condition  of 
lie  persons  shipped,  but  since  the  Italian  Government  has  enacted  a  law  reqniring  each 
)  gent  to  file  a  bond  of  10,000  lire  for  the  proper  and  lawful  performance  of  his  duties 
t  became  necessary  for  those  who  could  not  procure  the  required  security  to  retire 
t  roni  the  business,  leaving  at  this  time  only  two  men  on  the  list  of  passenger  agents 
)r  drnnuners  at  this  port. 

A.RE    CONTRACT    LABORERS    ENGAGED    FOR    EXPORTATION    TO    THE 

UNITED   STATES? 

The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged,  openly  or  covertly,  for  expor- 
tation to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes  of  employ- 
ment. 

There  is  no  doubt  of  contract  labor  engagements  in  times  past,  but 
the  CoiigressionaWegislation,  which  has  really  become  practically  effect- 
ive only  since  the  transfer  of  the  immigration  service  to  the  Federal 
iuithorities,  has  almost  entirely  stopped  such  operations.  No  laws  can 
be  enacted  or  system  devised  which  will  with  absolute  certainty 
entirely  prevent  isolated  cases  from  coming  here  under  previous  con- 
tract, but  the  evil  which  formerly  prevailed,  and  which  Congress  had  in 
mind  when  legislating  upon  the  subject,  has  been  practically  remedied. 
A  law  is  exceedingly  difficult  of  enforcement  which  depends  largely,  if 
not  almost  entirely,  upon  the  confession  of  the  party  implicated;  but 
the  fact  that  it  is  prescribed  as  being  a  violation  of  our  law,  with  se- 
vere penalties  upon  the  emploj^ers  in  this  country  who  enter  into  such 
contracts,  is  a  deterrent  which  has  certainly  minimized  the  evil.  The 
law  could  be  improved  if  such  additional  legislation  was  enacted  as 
would  enable  prompt  prosecution  of  the  contracting  parties  in  this 
country,  as  at  present  the  i)unishment  for  violation  of  the  law  falls 
u.suMJly  upon  the  contract  laborer,  against  whom  the  only  penalty  en- 
loiceable  is  a  return  to  the  port  from  whence  he  came.  These  men 
generally  enter  into  these  contracts  ignorant  that  they  are  violating 


124    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIX^i  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

our  law,  and  their  prompt  return  upon  detection  removes  the  only  c 
pable  witnesses  for  the  successful  prosecution  of  the  offending  employi 
on  this  side. 

In  the  countries  visited  by  us  we  nmde  diligent  inquirj'  and  cou) 
learn  of  no  violation  of  our  laws  in  respect  of  contract  laborers,  and  i 
this  we  are  confirmed  by  the  reports  from  the  consuls,  who  are,  wil 
few  exceptiojis,  unanimous  in  their  statements  that  no  such  conditioi 
now  i)revail.  We  quote  from  such  consular  letters  the  exception; 
cases  iu  order  that  it  may  be  judged  upon  what  basis  their  opinions  a] 
founded. 

From  Consul  Starkloff,  Bremen : 

I  can  not  tell  to  what  extent  contract  laborers  are  covertly  engaged  for  exportati( 
to  the  United  States,  but  I  have  good  reason  to  suspect  that  a  great  many  peopl 
especially  Polanders,  Bohemians,  and  Hungarians,  are  engaged  under  contract  1 
mining  companies,  mostly  of  Pennsylvania.     Since  I  have  taken   charge   of  th 
consulate  I  have  noticed  that  these  people  are  shipped  for  the  United  States  iu  tl 
spring  and  return  in  the  autumn.     I  have  recognized  the  same  faces,  especial! 
those  of  the  men  under  whose  supervision  they  seem  to  travel.     These  people  do  nc 
exhibit  any  money,  nor  do  they  answer  any  questions  to  strangers,  no  matter  i; 
what  language  tiiey   are   addressed.     They   seem   to   follow   their  leader   blindl; 
There  is  about  one  woman  to  each  crew  of  twelve  or  eighteen  men,  who,  as  I  ai  j 
informed,  works  and  cooks  for  them  at  their  place  of  destination  in  the  Unite 
States.     It  also  happens  that  farmers  or  manufacturers  who  have  bought  a  tract  i 
land  in  the  United  States  for  the  purpose  of  settling  there  have  taken  over  wit 
them  a  whole  crew  of  workmen  who  have  been  in  their  employ  previous  to  the 
emigration  to  the  United  States. 

From  United  States  Vice-Oonsul  Odonand,  Cognac: 

Emigrants  are  often  compelled  to  sign  engagements  which,  in  assuring  to  thciii 
fuiuiuium  yearly  salary,  obligates  them  to  stay  five,  ten,  or  fifteen  years,  as  the  car 
may  be;  then,  being  satisfied  with  their  new  life,  they  establish  themselves  on  the; 
own  accord. 

From  Consul  F.  B.  Loomis,  St.  Etienne: 

The  engaging  of  laborers  by  contract  is  probably  limited  to  the  demand  froi 
Patcrson,  N.  J.,  of  a  score  of  men  each  year  who  are  skilled  workmen  in  the  sii 
industry.     The  skilled  workmen  wiio  emigrate  from  this  part  of  France  are  an  exce] 
lent  class  of  men,  and  will  add  to  the  wealth  of  the  nation. 

From  Consul  George  Gifford,  Basle,  Switzerland: 

Contract  laborers  are  not  openly  engaged  for  exportation  to  the  United  State 
since  the  passage  of  the  law  prohibiting  such  emigration.  Formerly  silk  weaver, 
and  watchmakers  from  this  district  were  forwarded  to  America,  but  any  contract 
made  now  are  made  so  secretly,  if  at  all,  that  the  facts  in  the  ^se  never  transpire. 

From  S.  H.  M.  Byers,  consul  at  St.  Galle,  Switzerland: 

Of  late  years  occurs  but  rarely. 

Vice-Consul  William  Gibson,  Glasgow : 

Only  ons  case  has  ever  come  under  the  notice  of  the  consul.  Laborers  are  cei 
tainly  not  engaged  openly  for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  and  1  do  not  tiling 
covertly  either,  unless  perhaps  to  a  very  small  exteut.  The  case  referred  to  hap 
2>eucd  about  two  years  ago  when  four  men  were  engaged  for  the  Sucad  &  Co.  Iroi 
Works  of  LouisviUe,  Ky.,  through  an  agmt  who  was  then  employed  in  the  fouudr'i 
of  .John  Lane  &  Sous,  Glasj^ow.  The  men  eugagetl  wore  oruauieutal  moldors  b; 
trade.     The  United  States  attorney  at  Louisville  is  now  prosecuting  the  case. 

From  Horace  C.  Pugh,  Palermo,  Italy: 

Contract  labor  is  not  engaged  openly,  and  if  covertly  in  such  manner  as  has  uo 
been  detected. 

From  William  D.  Wamer,  Cologne: 

I  believe  that  the  contract-labor  law  is  frequently  broken,  but  to  what  extent  I  an 
not  prepared  to  say. 


ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT   LABOR    LAWS.  125 

RE    CRIMINALS,   INSANE    PERSONS,   PAUPERS,  ETC.,   AIDED    TO  EMI- 
GRATE  TO   THE   UNITED   STATES? 

The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives  and 
iiipers,  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  persons  afflicted  with 
atlisonie  or  d:inu,erons  contagious  diseases  are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to 
10  United  States  in  violation  of  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement 
furnished  systematically  or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  com- 
ittecs,  or  Government  authorities. 

In  the  countries  visited  by  Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster  we 
re  satisfied,  after  a  carefal  investigation,  tliat  while  the  classes  cited 
oove  were  undoubtedly  encouraged  and  aided  to  emigrate  to  the 
nited  States  in  years  gone  by,  none  of  them  are  now  sent  to  our 
)nntry  eitlier  system iitically  or  otherwise  by  societies,  committees,  or 
)verumental  authorities.  That  isolated  cases  who  come  on  their  own 
cord  or  who  are  aidtd  by  friends  or  relatives  arrive  here  is,  perhaps, 
obable,  but  that  the  movement  assumes  any  sort  of  i)roportions  is 
)t  warranted  by  our  investigations,  nor  is  it  believed.  In  this  view 
e  are  also  confirmed  by  the  replies  of  the  consuls,  who,  Avith  a  few 
:ceptions,  are  unanimous  and  emphatic  on  this  point.  These  excep- 
onal  replies  are  not  specific  nor  definite  in  their  information,  and  they 
e,  tlierefore,  ((u<)ted  as  well  as  one  or  two  others  whose  replies  indi- 
ite  some  doubt  and  have  a  bearing  on  the  subject. 
Consul  H.  M.  Starkloft:',  Bremen,  says: 

Criminals  and  paupers  have  been  shipped  to  the  United  States  to  my  knowledge 
tl)e  benevoUmt  societies,  whose  leader  in  one  case  has  been  a  Government  officer. 
)  wliat  extent  this  is  done  I  am  unable  to  tell. 

Consul  H.  C.  Pugh,  Palmero,  says: 

The  class  of  persons  mentioned  in  this  interrogatory  are  never  aided  financially 
■  the  Government  nor  are  they  encouraged  to  emigrate  except  that  they  may  be 
cilitated  in  obtaining  passports  by  the  authorities. 

Consul  D.  J.  Partelli,  Dusseldorf,  reports: 

Done  in  a  quiet  way,  and  unless  the  matter  was  thoroughly  examined  into  the 
cts  can  not  be  given.  Objectionable  persons  are  gotten  rid  of  by  giving  them  a 
fiall  amount  of  money  (equal  to  steerage  passage)  and  told  to  quit  the  place, 
-iturally  they  go  direct  to  the  seacoast,  and  in  that  way  the  United  States  received 
i^reater  number  of  paupers  and  criminals. 

Consid  Louis  Gottschalk,  Stuttgart,  says: 

Nor  are  criminals  or  paupers  shipped  openly  to  the  United  States.  There  may  be, 
i  d  probably  are,  covert  violations  of  this,  but  this  consulate  has  no  means  of  dis- 
(vering  it,  as  such  investigations,  if  success  is  expected,  require  detective  service, 
;  d  this  consulate  knows  of  no  appropriation  to  pay  for  same. 

Consul  Alex.  Brandt,  vice-consul  at  Marseilles,  says: 

Insane  persons,  idiots,  cripples,  paupers,  and  sick  persons  are  not  encouraged  to 
nig-rate  to  tlie  LJnitod  States.  On  the  contrary,  I  have  it  directly  proven  that  such 
irsons  experience  great  difficulty  in  obtaining  passnge  even  as  ordinary  passengers. 
-  to  criminals  it  is  difficult  to  get  decided  information,  as  these  not  unfrequently 
I  srepresent  themselves,  but  knowingly  the  companies^  agents  would  not  take  them. 

Consul  F.  W.  Catlin,  Munich,  says: 

[  do  not  think  that  insane  persons,  idiots,  poor  persons,  or  persons  afflicted  with 
lithsorae  or  dangerous  diseases  are  encouraged  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States 
Urn  liere  by  anybody.  Sick  and  incapable  persons  in  Bavaria  must  be  supported, 
Jcor.ling  to  the  Bavarian  law,  by  the  parishes  in  which  they  have  their  homes, 
iobably  some  of  the  parishes  frequently  shirk  this  duty.  While  I  have  heard  of 
istances  of  their  furnishing  incapable  persons  with  hand  organs  or  music  boxes  and 
f  iding  them  out  to  beg,  I  have  never  heard  of  their  furnishing  them  with  a  sufficient 
Mu  of  money  for  an  American  journey.  According  to  the  best  information  at  my 
ciumand,  this  is  never  done.     Tlie  case  of  criminals  is  not  quite  the  same.     There  it 


126    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

a  private  society  in  Munlcli  orgauized  for  the  care  of  discharged  criminals;  the  o8t<< 
sible  object  is  to  give  the  younger  men  who  have  served  a  term  in  prison,  and  wh(| 
good  heliavior  is  certilied  to  by  the  prison  authorities,  an  opportunity  for  anotlj 
start  in  life.  This  may  occasionally  involve  sending  them  to  some  foreign  count:! 
but  it  rarely  happens  that  they  are  sent  far  away,  however,  owing  to  lack  of  fun 
At  present,  I  am  told,  the  funds  of  the  society  are  very  low  and  little  or  nothing 
being  done.  Moreover  the  criminal  class  ia  not  large  here.  The  only  instance  witi 
my  knowledge  of  an  attempt  by  this  society  to  send  criminals  to  the  United  Sta^ 
liappeiied  in  1887.  There  were  four  criminals,  and  some  one  of  them  or  a  friend  g» 
the  whole  matter^away  to  the  consul  here,  and  the  result  was  that  on  arrival  in  N< 
York  they  Avere  stopped  and  sent  back. 

Charles  H.  Shepard,  consul  at  GotheDburg: 

There  is  no  doubt  that  many  criminals  and  paupers  have  in  years  past  been  ; 
sisted  to  emigrate,  sometimes  by  their  friends,  sometimes  by  societies,  committ( 
of  citizens,  and  even  by  Government  authorities.  They  claim  that  it  is  done  vt 
little  now. 

Emigration  from  Europe  is  almost  wholly  confined  to  the  RgnvA 
tural  clastses,  and  with  few  exceptions  represent  the  most  valual 
producing  qualities  of  tlieir  respective  countries.  While  they  do  d 
bring  witli  them  the  polish  unconsciously  accpiired  by  and  incident 
to  city  life,  they  are  more  free  from  the  vices  which  germinate  ai 
develop  in  the  large  centers.  The  same  tendency  to  flock  to  the  citi 
from  the  rural  districts'  as  has  become  so  noticeable  in  this  count 
manifests  itself  m  Euroi^e,  Avhich  has  there  recently  suggested  leg 
lation  involving  proof  of  ability  to  maintain  a  city  dwelling,  and  t 
gaining  of  a  liAing  by  labor  or  otherwise,  under  penalty  of  return  to  ft 
mer  residence.  AVhatever  the  causes  may  be  the  facts  exist  and  a 
plainly  apparent.  It  is  a  mistaken  belief,  however,  that  the  "sluui! 
emigrate.  i 

In  investigating  your  proposition  with  reference  to  pauperism,  tl| 
question  was  raised  as  to  the  definition  of  the  word  '^pauper"  within  til 
meaning  of  existing  law.  We  did  not  regard  a  person  as  a  pauper  w]' 
presented  every  a])pearance  of  industry,  willingness,  and  physical  cap 
l)ility  to  labor,  even  if  his  means  on  landing  were  limited,  nor  yet  if  1 
was  assisted  by  friends,  relatives,  or  x)hilanthropic  i^ersons,  unless  su(l 
assistance  implied  a  leaning  upon  others  for  su])p()rt.  The  greater 
nnmber  of  those  arriving  within  the  last  year,  wiio  because  of  speci' 
conditiims  surrounding  their  cases  received  assistance  en  route,  we 
Jews;  yet  they  very  rarely  become  a  charge  upon  the  public.  Indee 
no  race  or  nationality  present  so  clean  a  record  in  such  respect  as  the] 

A  person  who  by  reason  of  unexy)ected  misfortunes  or  persecutioij 
is  deprived  of  his  accumulations,  wlio  has  been  subjected  to  pillage  ai' 
plunder  while  fleeing  from  the  burdens  which  have  become  unbearablj 
if  capable  of  supporting  himself  and  family,  if  he  has  one,  with  a  reaso] 
able  certainty  after  obtaining  a  foothold,  and  that  foothold  is  guarantee 
by  friends  or  relatives  upoii  landing,  or  strong  probable  surroundii' 
circumstances, is  not,  according  to  our  definition,  a  pauper.  The  histoj ■ 
of  this  couiitry  is  full  of  instances  of  men  from  all  countries  who  ha^l 
reached  great  prominence  in  our  commercial,  financial,  professional 
and  legislative  bodies,  both  in  State  and  nation,  who  would  have  betj- 
returned  as  paupers  if  the  standard  of  pauperism  was  based  upci 
money  possessions  when  landing.  ^ 

Again,  a  large  class  &f  persons  who  land  here  with  little  or  no  meai 
are  girls  and  young  women  who  only  partially  fill  the  increasing  d 
inand  for  domestic  work,  and  who  would  be  considered  as  paupers 
the  lack  of  means  upon  arrival  was  established  as  the  rule  to  determir 
pauperism.    The  decision  of  the  eligibility  for  landing  of  such  persoi 


ENFOECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTEACT  LABOE  LAWS.    127 

iiust,  to  some  extent,  "be  left  discretionary  witL  the  immigrant  officials 
t  our  seaports,  who  it  would  he  unreasonable  to  expect  could  in  every 
istaiice  detect  the  weakness  of  the  subject  or  predict  his  future  status; 
>ut  it  is  believed  that  defects  in  the  present  system  can  be  largely 
(vercome  by  legislation  which  will  be  suggested  in  connection  with  the 
abject  of  '^Inspection  by  consuls  or  otherwise"  further  on  in  the  body 
.f  this  report. 

lEANS  IN   EXISTENCE,   AND   POSSIBLE,   FOR   INSPECTION  IN    EUROPE 
BY   STEAMSHIP   AGENTS    OR   BY    CONSULS. 

The  next  tliree  propositions  laid  down  in  your  letter  of  instructions 
re  so  closely  interwoven  that  it  is  deemed  best  to  group  them  together 
n  their  treatment  in  this  report  in  order  to  avoid  unnecessary  repeti- 
ion.    These  propositions  are  as  follows : . 

The  extent  to  which,  and  the  manner  in  which,  if  at  all,  the  steamship  or  other 
ransportation  ronipnnics  or  their  agcnt^  inquire  into  the  character  or  condition  of 
Mtemlinj;'  ejiiiii^rants,  with  a  view  to  rejectinjT  those  ^vho  come  within  the  classes 
xcluded  by  the  laws  of  the  United.  States,  and  generally  what  checks,  if  any,  are 
pplicd  ill  Europe  to  the  emigration  to  this  country  of  members  of  the  prohibited 

i:i8KCS, 

The  extent  to  which  such  preliminary  inquiry  by  transportation  com7)anies  or 
lieir  ai^ents  in  Europe  can  be  made  etfective  throus^h  the  voluntary  cociperation  of 
he  coinpanics  and  the  best  method  of  carrying  it  out.  In  this  connection  it  is  sug- 
csted  that  you  confer,  so  far  as  convenient,  with  the  owners  and  agents  of  steam- 
hip  lines  at  the  principal  ports  of  Europe. 

Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of  exami- 
ation  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  in  foreign  countries,  or  officers 
nder  their  direction,  together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system 
f  adopted. 

CONSULAR  INSPECTION. 

In  regard  to  consular  inspection,  we  are  aware  that  this,  to  many  of 
»ur  people,  seems  a  desirable  method  of  preventing  an  influx  of  objec- 
ionable  persons.  This  opinion  is  based  largely  upon  the  belief  that 
his  country  is  the  "diuuping  ground  for  the  refuse  population  of 
varope."  Whatever  may  have  been  the  fact  in  the  past  it  is  not  so 
'ow,  as  our  investigations  demonstrated,  and  these  findings  are  cor- 
oborated  by  the  practically  unanimous^^pinions  of  our  consular  repre- 
entatives  of  Europe.  When  we  consider  the  large  number  of  emi- 
:i"arits  who  are  coming  to  this  country  the  number  of  those  who  can  be 
•ODsidered  as  of  even  doubtful  eligibility  to  land  is  very  small  indeed. 
Che  class  of  people  who  are  coming  to  us  from  Europe  are  almost 
'ntirely  from  the  agricultural  districts  and  the  laboring  element.  As 
•onsular  inspection,  however,  seems  to  many  to  be  the  panacea  for 
\  hat  our  investigations  show  to  be  largely  imaginary  evils,  we  have 
;iven  that  subject  very  careful  attention,  and  the  conclusions  we  reach 
ne  that  it  would  not  "be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective 
-ystem  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  in 
oreign  countries  or  officers  under  their  direction,"  or  under  separate 
urisdiction. 

In  investigating  the  question  as  to  the  practicability  of  consular  in- 
•pection  we  assumed  that  the  object  of  your  instructions  was  to  ascer- 
ain  if  such  examination  would  better  protect  ourselves  against  unde- 
urable  immigration,  and  what  the  effect  of  such  machinery  on  immi- 
gration would  be  with  reference  to  quahty.    W"e  took  it  for  grante4 


128    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

til  at  if  the  purpose  was  to  restrict  immigration  without  reference 
quality  our  people  would  face  that  proposition  squarely,  and  not 
complicated  machinery  do  indirectly  that  which  is  within  their  po"?! 
to  do  directly.  We  have  no  hesitation  in  saying  that  consular  iuspf 
tion  will  restrict  immigration.  It  will  at  once  effectually  exclude  t 
strong  and  able-bodied  men  within  1)he  military  ages,  which  in  the  cot 
tries  visited  varies  and  ranges  from  17  to  45  years,  as  under  no  circui 
stances  would  this  class  obtain  permission  to  leave  their  country  or  a 
cure  the  certificates  from  the  local  authorities  upon  which  the  conj 
would  have  to  rely  as  to  character.  This  would  leave  only  those  w 
are  under  age  or  advanced  in  years,  or  physically  infirm,  to  whom  o 
tificates  from  local  authorities  would  be  easily  available.  The  numbi 
would  undoubtedly  diminish,  but  the  proportion  of  bad  to  good  woi 
be  vastly  increased.  Consular  inspection  must  be  made  either  in  ' 
consular  districts,  where  the  intending  emigrants  live,  or  at  the 
ports  where  they  embark.  To  make  this  inspection  in  the  disti 
would  require  a  special  staff  of  otficials  in  many  such  districts  (hai 
knowledge  of  the  languages  and  dialects,  also  medical  representatii 
varying  according  to  the  volume  of  business. 

The  certificate  of  the  local  authorities  must  necessarily  be  the  bj 
of  consular  investigation  and  certification,  and  as  these  local  authoP 
tics  can  not  be  compelled  to  certify,  and  as  foreign  governments  ai 
desirous  of  keeping  at  home  the  better  element,  it  can  not  be  expe(tte 
that  the  certification  of  the  bad  will  be  hindered  or  that  of  the  goo 
facilitated.  The  unreliability  of  such  certification  by  local  authoriti( 
is  demonstated  in  the  fact  that  Italians,  in  order  to  leave  their  countr 
must  have  passports,  which,  under  their  laws,  are  not  granted  1' 
criminals;  yet  there  have  been  sent  back  from  New  York  to  Ital 
more  criminals  (of  greater  or  less  degree)  than  we  returned  to  all  othi 
countries  put  together,  the  statistics  showing  that  from  April  1  1 
November  30,  181)1,  there  have  been  returned  of  this  class  from  tl 
port  of  New  York  31  Italians,  3  Germans,  and  1  Frenchman.  All  ( 
these  returned  criminals  from  Italy  were  provided  with  the  usual  pas 
ports  from  the  Italian  authorities.  We  quote  from  Consul  Fletcher,  ( 
Genoa,  who  believes  that  consular  inspection  is  practicable  and  will  I: 
effective : 


All  natives  of  Italy  are  supposed  to  have  passports  when  they  leave  the  Kingdoi 
To  obtain  sncli  the  applicant  must  procure  from  the  municipality  of  his  native  (it 
or  town  a  certiiicate  of  birth,  giviujj  age,  name,  names  of  petitioners'  parents.  < 
this  certiiicate  is  also  added  the  applicant's  liability  for,  or  exemption  from,  milii  n 
duty.  Further,  the  court  records  are  examined  and  if  any  misdemeanors  are  cha  ru^ 
again.st  the  man,  a  statement  to  this  effect  is  forwarded  to  police  headquarti  i 
'J'he  petitioner  must  present  his  certificate  of  birth  to  the  local  chief  of  police  an 
this  otficer,  on  examination  of  the  papers  in  the  case,  either  issues  or  refuses  the  pas 
port. 

At  the  very  moment  of  writing  this  report  the  chairman  of  this  Con 
mission,  as  commissioner  of  immigration  at  New  York,  signed  anorde' 
prohibiting  the  landing  of  Antonio  Spiz/.uoco,  an  Italian  who  arrive 
December  7,  1891,  on  the  ground  that  he  is  a  person  "  convicted  ot 
felony"  and  who  served  out  a  sentence  of  ten  years' imprisonment  inth^ 
prison  at  Ancona  for  robbery.     The  evidence  upon  which  he  was  prci 
hibited  from  landing  was  the  affidavit  of  a  person,  whose  rehability  upo 
the  point  in  question  was  corroborated  and  established,  by  the  confes 
sion  of  Spizzuoco  reduced  to  writing  and  on  file  in  the  office  of  commit 
sioner  of  immigration  at  New  York.     His  passport  is  regular  in  ever, 
respect,  duly  signed,  sealed  and  stamped,  and  on  the  back  of  which  i 
printed  in  the  Italian  language  that  extract  from  our  laws  which  pro 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    129 

libits  tlie  landing  of  criminals,  insane,  etc.  If  tliese  passports  are  not 
eliable  liow  can  we  expect  that  the  certificates,  involving  the  same 
]^uarantee  as  to  character,  will  be  more  so. 

Criminals  and  constitutional  paupers  are  the  only  classes  of  defectives 
,Tho  furnish  in  their  cases  better  opportunity  for  investigation  in  Europe 
lian  here.  These  classes  are  insignificant  in  number  and  in  a  large  pro- 
)ortion  of  cases  can  be  detected  here  by  reason  of  the  experience  gained 
)y  the  officials  charged  with  the  duty  of  watching  for  and  returning 
hem.  The  statistics  show  that  of  all  classes  (but  nearly  all  paui)ers) 
here  have  been  returned  from  the  port  of  Xew  York  alone  from  April 
,  1891,  when  the  new  law  went  into  effect,  to  December  1,  nearly  1,100. 
Hie  small  numbei-  now  escaping  detection  here  can  be  guarded  against 
iiul  provided  for  as  will  be  suggested  later  on.  Aside  from  criminals 
lud  paupers  those  of  the  now  excluded  classes  can  not  be  as  easily  de- 
eded in  Europe,  either  in  the  consular  districts  or  at  the  seaports,  as 
bey  can  be  at  the  United  States  ports.  Beside  criminals  and  paupers 
he  excluded  classes  are  insane,  idiots,  contract  laborers,  dangerous 
'o/if^igious  and  loathsome  diseases,  persons  likely  to  become  a  public 
harge  and  polygamists.  These  can  be  better  detected  here,  because 
ve  have  a  staff  of  officials  who,  by  reason  of  large  and  contiaually  in- 
•leasing  experience,  become  expert  in  detections.  It  can  not  be  claimed 
liat  medicals  officers  on  the  other  side  are  more  callable  of  detecting 
iisaoe,  idiots,  or  diseased  persons,  nor  is  there  any  way  by  which  the 
letection  of  contract  laborers  can  be  made  easier  in  Europe  than  here. 

While  it  is  true  that  the  detection  at  the  seaports  in  Europe  will 
ivoid  the  additional  hardship  of  returning  them  across  the  sea,  it  is 
Iso  true  that  when  the  emigrants  reach  the  seaports  they  have  already 
leparted  from  their  homes;  they  have  sold  their  belongings  and  it 
imply  resolves  itself  into  a  trip  across  the  ocean  and  back,  while  the 
xpense  of  the  ocean  return  passage  is  borne  by  the  steamship  com- 
)anies  who  in  many  cases,  in  consequence  of  local  regulations  at  the 
areign  seaports,  are  required  to  transport  them  back  to  their  homes. 

The  passing  of  an  emigrant  at  a  foreign  port  by  an  official  of  the 
Tnited  States  would  be  presumptive  evidence  of  his  eligibility  to  land 
lere  and  it  may  be  assumed  that  subagents  would  seek  opportunity  to 
eciire  certification  of  eligibility  of  emigrants  at  the  hands  of  a  United 
states  official  on  the  ground,  when  he  would  not  risk  sending  them  to 
he  United  States,  if  he  knew  the  expense  for  the  return  of  such  j^erson 
rould  fall  upon  him,  and  it  is  probable  that  more  doubtful  cases  would 
•e  presented  to  that  official  than  to  the  inspection  officers  on  our  side 
f  the  deterrent  involved  in  the  expense  of  a  sea  voyage  was  removed 
a  cases  rejected  at  United  States  ports,  and  which  expense  the  steam- 
hip  comx)anies,  from  motives  of  self-protection,  would  place  ui)on  the 
ubagent  responsible  for  the  booking  of  them. 

Many  of  the  consular  districts  in  Euroj^e  are  large  in  territorial  ex- 

mt.  The  district  of  Warsaw,  for  instance,  which  embraces  all  Poland, 
ist  year  furnished  us  at  New  York  alone,  24,256  emigrants;  Hungary, 
•ith  but  one  consulate  at  Buda-Pesth,  ftirnished  last  year  at  New  York, 
0,433;  Norway  and  Sweden,  with  four  consulates,  ftirnished  last  year 
t  New  York,  40,347;  and  it  will  readily  be  seen  that  applications  for 

istrict  consular  certificates  before  starting  would  involve  a  considera- 
le  expense  upon  the  emigrant,  and  a  large  additional  staff*  of  officials 

)r  these  consulates.     The  exjjense,  even  if  it  fell  on  tlie  emigrant,  at 

hat  is  believed  to  be  a  minimum  calculation,  would  not  likely  be  less 
ban  $5  per  capita,  taking  into  consideration  the  medical  and  consular 
ertificates  and  the  expense  of  making  jouineys  to  consular  offices, 
H.  Ex.  235 9 


130    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.       ' 

witliout  including  lost  time,  and  this  would  mean  that  the  600,000  wl 
will  have  come  here  this  year,  if  subjected  to  a  consular  inspectioi  , 
would  be  $3,000,000  poorer  on  arrival  here.  j 

We  now  come  to  the  consideration  of  the  proposition  to  make  tl ' 
consular  inspection  at  the  seaports.  ^  From  July  1, 1890,  to  July  1, 189: 1 
there  were   shijiped   from   Hamburg,   93,013   emigrants;   at  Brenieij 
61,996;  at  Liverpool,  106,909;  at  Havre,  25,638;  at  Glasgow,  L>l,L>7i.j 
at  Palermo,  Naples,  and  Marseilles  combined,  56,302.     Those  comim! 
from  the  Italian  ports  are  composed  almost  entirely  of  one  nationalitli 
(the  Italian),  but  this  does  not  apply  to  other  important  ports.    A]: 
these  other  important  ports  the  emigrant  passengers  comprise  varioiji 
nationalities,  speaking  not  only  different  languages,  but  varying  i 
their  dialects.     These  conditions  would  make  necessary  the  emplo; 
ment  of  nearly  as  large  a  force  of  interpreters,  especially  at  the  moi^ 
imi3ortant  seaports,  as  are  now  employed  at  the  New  Ycu^k  Immigrs^ 
tion  Bureau,  where  the  combined  force  of  inter]jreters  cover  about  a 
the  languages  spoken  in  those  countries  which  furnish  us  with  emi 
grants. 

We  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  this  volume  of  emigration  is  n(^ 
evenly  divided  among  the  seaports,  nor  in  their  arrival  regularly  as  1 
dates,  but  tlie  most  of  it  comes  a  day  or  two  before  the  sailing  dat-; 
T^Jiich  in  some  cases  is  weekly  and  in  others  oftener,  and  upon  arrive 
the  emigrants  are  not  concentrated  at  one  boarding  house  or  institif 
tion,  but  distribute  themselves  among  a  number  of  such  places.  . 
medical  examination  as  they  go  aboard  sliip  would  necessarily  Ij 
hurried  and  made  in  the  bustle  and  confusion  always  attendant  upo 
the  departure  of  an  ocean  steamer,  and  so  far  as  such  examinatio 
would  relate  to  the  insane,  idiots,  or  diseased  persons,  it  certain! 
could  not  be  more  rigid,  and  in  all  probability  would  be  less  effecti^ 
there  than  at  the  United  States  ports.  So  far  as  the  other  classes « 
excluded  emigrants  are  concerned,  the  sea])ort  consul  must  rely  upq 
information  and  certification  of  local  authorities,  about  whom  he  knoK 
nothing  except  as  disclosed  by  the  papers  which  the  subject  present 
These  papers  can  not  certainly  establish  identity.  Nearly  every  da 
at  New  York  there  are  passengers  landed  under  tickets  originally  issue 
to  other  parties  who,  having  changed  their  minds  or  who  were  unabj 
to  go  at  the  time,  transferred  their  tickets  to  others  in  order  to  av< " 
loss. 

We  quote  as  follows  (the  italics  are  ours)  from  the  reply  of  Conj 
Pugh,  of  Palermo  who,  although  favoring  consular  inspection,  exhil 
its  chief  weakness: 

Each  intending  emigrant  must  obtain  from  the  irilHnale  pcnale  (criminal  coi 
of  the  province  in  which  he  lives  a  certificate  that  there  is  no  criminal  ch:irge  agj ' 
him,  which  must  then  be  presented  to  the  questore  (chitf  of  police)  svho  issut 
him  a  passport,  and  no  one  is  permitted  to  embark  on  board  ship  for  (luigratio^ 
the  absence  of  this  passport.  The  effect  of  the  local  requiremenis  as  to  _2>«6S/)or/s 
destroyed  hy  persons  presentiug  themselves  for  cerlifeaies  under  assumed  vamcs,  the  reol 
examined  for  that  name,  no  charge  of  course  found  and  the  certificate  granted,  and  hy 
means  criminals  of  the  deepest  dye  obtain  certificates  as  well  as  those  persons  whose  d 
ucters  are  really  good.  It  is  also  believed  that  in  order  to  free  the  community  of  noi 
ously  bad  characters  the  authorities  issue  such  certificates  under  the  assumed  namesj 
if  the  person  applying  is  well  known. 

Consul  Johnson  of  Hamburg,  who  does  not  regard  consular  ins] 
tion  as  practicable,  among  other  things  refers  to  the  ease  of  obtaini 
certificates  by  objectionable  parties.    He  is  quoted  as  follows: 

I  do  not  think  that  an  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  United  States 
8uls  would  be  practicable.     In  case  of  emigrants  who  have  to  procure  certifier 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    131 

from  the  cousiils  in  whose  districts  their  former  homes  were  located,  it  Avoiild  mal<e 
it  very  expensive  for  a  great  many  of  them,  as  a  visit  to  the  respective  consuls  would 
olten  entail  a  costly  detour  from  the  direct  roiite  to  the  port  of  embarkation.  Be- 
sides there  u'oidd  he  f/reat  clanger  of  nonobjectionable  parties  procuring  certificates  from 
inland  consuls  and  giving  them  to  undersirahle  emigrants,  a  practice  vrhich,  in  view  of 
the  vast  number  of  emigrants  landing  in  the  United  States,  it  would  be  very  difficult 
to  o-uard  against.  The  only  way  to  prevent  such  a  fraud  would  be,  in  my  opinion, 
to  examine  the  parties  just  before  embarkation,  surrendering  the  certificates  to  them 
as  they  go  aboard  the  transatlantic  steamers;  but  when  the  fact  is  taken  into  con- 
sideration that  in  the  year  1890,  for  instance,  93,013  persons  emigrated  to  the  United 
by  way  of  Hamburg  alone,  and  that  most  of  these  were  only  a  day  or  two  in  Ham- 
liurg  before  they  were  shipped,  it  becomes  obvious  that  an  enormous  consular  force 
would  be  necessary  in  this  city  to  conduct  even  the  most  superficial  examination  of 
the  emigrants  leaving  here.  Aside  from  these  reasons  I  douht  very  much  if  the  consuls 
at  ang  point  could  get  trustworthy  information  in  many  of  the  cases  coming  under  their 
notice,  the  interest  of  provinces  desiring  to  rid  themselves  of  ohjectionahle  persons  hy  emi- 
gration being  evidently  to  conceal  the  facts  that  would  lead  to  their  rejection  by  the  consul, 
while  desirable  emigrants  might,  on  tlie  conirary,  meet  with  great  difficulty  in  procuring 
the  necessary  documents  from  the  authorities  of  their  native  place. 

Ill  other  words  consular  certification  would  result  in  the  creation  of 
a  new  industry,  viz,  that  of  brokerage  in  consular  certificates  obtained 
by  non-objectionable  persons  for  sale  to  the  undesirable,  and  by  law 
furnish  protection  to  an  evil  against  which  we  strive  to  be  protected. 

We  do  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact  that  upon  this  question  of  consular 
inspection  submitted  to  the  consuls  there  is  a  difference  of  opinion, 
and  that  the  majority,  in  point  of  numbers,  regard  consular  inspection 
both  practicable  and  wise.  Our  investigations  looked  not  only  to 
that  point  but  to  the  probable  effect  of  such  inspection.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  fact  that  consular  officers  occupy  dual  positions,  and  that  the 
subject  is  comparatively  new  to  most  of  them  to  which  points  attention 
has  already  been  called,  suggests  that  their  replies  be  analyzed  before 
judging  their  value.  The  most  of  the  consuls  who  report  in  favor  of 
consular  inspection  are  stationed  in  districts  remote  from  the  seaports 
and  in  districts  furnishing  but  a  small  volume  of  emigration,  and  that 
of  the  better  class.  It  is  obvious  that  consular  inspection  is  not  nec- 
essary so  far  as  relates  to  that  kind  of  emigration. 

The  more  important  of  those  favoring  consular  inspection  whose  dis- 
tricts embrace  seaports  and  large  places  are  the  consuls  at  Amsterdam, 
Marseilles,  Havre,  G-lasgow,  Berne,  and  Palermo,  while  Bremen  is 
somewhat  indefinite  on  the  point,  favoring  a  medical  inspection  and 
character  certificate.  On  the  other  hand,  those  wluch  are  considered 
most  important  on  the  other  side  of  the  question,  because  of  their  sea- 
port magnitude,  and  because  of  the  volume  of  emigration  springing 
from  their  consular  districts  are  Hamburg,  AntAveri)^  Naples,  Stock- 
holm, Chinstiana,  Warsaw,  Berlin,  and  Vienna. 

Mr.  Schleier,  consul  at  Amsterdam,  rei^lies : 

Question  No.  4  relating  to  consular  insi^ection  is,  to  my  understanding,  one  of 
great  importance.  Statistics  will  no  doubt  show  you  that  so  far  as  the  native  Hol- 
landers who  emigrate  to  the  United  States  are  concerned,  no  furtber  restriction 
would  be  required  than  that  at  present  existing,  but  Holland  is  a  seaport  and  the 
larger  proportion  of  the  emigrants  shipping  from  here  are  those  in  transit  and  a  sys- 
tem of  inspection  would  no  doubt  be  of  value,  provided  the  Ignited  States  Govern- 
ment would  require  them  to  procure  from  the  consul  nearest  their  nativity  a  legiti- 
mized certiiicate.  This  could  be  as  restrictive  as  our  Government  would  like  to 
have  it,  and  may  be  in  the  shai)e  of  a  passport  from  the  authority  of  their  township 
to  certify  by  their  consul,  or  it  maybe  in  the  shape  of  an  affidavit  attested  to  by  two 
responsible  citizens  known  to  the  consul  as  such,  but  under  all  circumstances  I 
would  strongly  recommend  that  all  emigrants  should  be  required  by  obligation, 
either  in  connection  with  these  certificates  or  sei)arately,  to  abrogate  any  and  ali 
protection  from  their  native  country  from  the  moment  they  have  landed  in  the 
United  States.  Of  course  this  would  necessarily  require  their  protection  from  our 
Government  while  it  need  not  give  them  the  right  of  citizenship  until  they  have  ac- 
quired same  according  to  law. 


132    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Tlie  substance  of  the  above  is  tliat  no  consular  inspection  is  neces- 
sary for  the  native  Hollanders,  and  the  inspection  at  Amsterdam  as  a 
seaport  must  be  based  upon  original  certification  for  the  local  authori- 
ties. 

Vice-Consul  Alex.  Brandt,  Marseilles,  says: 

In  seaports  it  certainly  would  be  possible  to  apply  a  system  of  examination  of 
intendiiiju:  emigrants  by  American  consuls,  but  whether  this  system  would  prove  effi- 
cacious is  dilticult  to  say.  It  would  probably  clash  with  the  military  laws  of  the 
country  if  done  conscientiously  and  in  harmony  with  the  authorities  of  the  country, 
but  only  in  cases  of  persons  within  the  military  age.  It  would  be  necessary  for  con- 
suls to  insist  upon  intending  emigrants  producing  their  ^'extrait  civil''  in  order  to 
satisfy  themselves  as  to  whether  applicants  were  not  criminals  or  other  undesirable 
characters.  The  system  w^ould  prove  a  check  on  emigration  of  bad  characters,  but 
it  could  not  possibly  be  absolutely  preventive.  It  could  be  made  necessary  to  have 
all  intending  emigrants  produce  a  medical  certificate  as  well  as  their  "extra  it  civil," 
and  have  the  whole  to  be  certified  by  the  consul  after  due  examination,  charging 
them  a  small  fee.     Thus  the  system  would  be  self-supporting. 

During  the  year  1890  he  reports  that  5,672  emigrants  left  Marseilles 
for  the  United  States.  "  Harmony  with  the  authorities  of  the  country," 
he  says, '' refers  only  to  cases  of  persons  within  the  military  age.  That 
class,  as  far  as  regards  age,  is  the  most  productive  and  desirable." 

Consul  O.  F.  Williams,  at  Havre,  says : 

I  reiterate  and  believe  consular  supervision  would  be  proper ;  would  be  well  re- 
reived  both  at  home  and  abroad ;  could  restrict  to  any  desired  extent ;  could  be  so 
conducted  as  to  be  almost  flexible;  could  in  its  practice  be  as  secret  as  desired; 
would  without  new  law  or  change  be  in  touch  with  both  the  Treasury  and  State  De- 
partments; Avould  not  seriously  interfere  with  consular  work ;  would  not  demand 
new  appointees  or  require  a  new  bureau  for  supervision;  could  be  dignified  and 
should  be  absolute.  Let  consuls  be  held  to  a  strict  account  and  an  examination 
book  containing  names,  age,  sex,  nationality,  and  all  particulars,  with  name  of  con- 
sular officer  first  applied  to  and  who  examined  the  emigrant.  Let  this  book  bo  sent 
under  seal  by  the  master  of  the  ship  to  the  commissioner  of  immigration  at  the 
port  of  entry  in  the  United  States  as  a  tally.  The  fee  paid  consuls  may  be  very 
small  and  yet  be  sufficient  to  at  least  make  the  system  self-supporting.  An  immi- 
grant who  can  not  afford  such  reasonable  fee  is  too  near  pauperism  to  be  desirable. 
Probably  in  all  the  great  ports  of  Europe  where  the  bulk  of  our  emigrants  embark 
there  would  be  no  trouble  in  securing  resident  Americans  to  make  needed  medical 
examinations,  and  at  such  ports  cousular  deputies,  etc.,  are  in  such  numbers  as  to 
properly  attend  to  emigrant  inspection,  if  so  required.  A  short  form  of  oath  might  be 
administered  to  adult  emigrants,  as  to  features  of  crime,  contract  labor,  etc. 

The  tally -book  feature  at  the  port  of  New  York,  at  least,  would  not 
be  practicable.    During  the  past  year  there  have  been  landed  there  ilij 
one  day  over  4,800  emigrants,  with  a  number  of  nationalities  in  each] 
ship,  coming  from  different  parts  of  Europe,  concentrated  at  the  regis-  i 
try  department  of  the  Immigration  Bureau  as  they  passed  through  for 
examination  and  registration.     With  their  names  as  now  reported  on 
ships'  manifests  misj)elled,  not  arranged  alphabetically  but  in  the  order 
in  which  they  are  embarked,  with  the  pronunciation  varying  so  largely 
from  the  spelling,  the  time  consumed  in  looking  over  a  list  sometimes 
reaching  as  high  as  from  1,200  to  1,600  for  one  steamer,  the  delay  and 
confusion  incidental    to  such  work  dismisses  it   at  once  from  con- 
sideration. 

Yice-Consul  William  Gibson,  Glasgow,  states : 

I  think  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  supply  an  effective  system  of  exami- 
nation of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  at  a  trifling  cost  to  each  emi- 
grant. Mr.  Consul  Brown  has  definite  views  as  to  the  original  certification  to  be  re- 
quired, and  I  have  asked  him  to  communicate  his  views  to  the  Commission.  (Such 
views  have  not  been  received.)  It  would  not,  I  think,  be  unreasonable  to  require  cer- 
tificates from  a  previous  employer  of  the  emigrant,  from  the  proprietor  of  the  dwelling 
house  he  occupied,  or  from  the  local  magistrate  of  his  district.  The  information 
from  these  sources  should  enable  or  at  least  very  materially  aid  consuls  to  pass  upou 


I 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    133 

the  eligibility  of  tlie  iutendiug  emigrant.  The  system  would  also,  I  think,  help  the 
detection  of  contract  laborers  and  criminals.  There  are  no  laws  in  this  country  gov- 
erning military  service. 

We  cau  not  gather  from  tlie  above,  nor  have  we  any  idea,  liow  tlie 
system  he  suggests  would  help  the  detection  of  contract  laborers,  and 
as  for  criminals,  a  certificate  from  a  previous  employer  or  from  the 
proprietor  of  the  dwelling  house  occui)ied  could  not  be  regarded  as 
reliable.  The  official  standing  of  the  local  magistrate  might  possibly 
suggest  reliability. 
!   The  consul  at  Berne  says : 

1  It  would  be  practicable  at  this  consulate  to  supervise  the  emigration  of  persons 
^eaving  for  the  United  States  without  other  cost  than  that  involved  in  the  appointment 
pf  a  medical  examiner  if  it  were  deemed  necessary  to  employ  one.  No  doubt  one 
;u(;li  officer  might  serve  for  the  whole  country.  From  such  experience  as  this  con- 
liiilate  has  had  it  would  appear  that  official  declarations  in  regard  to  the  pecuniary 
iiid  moral  standing  of  intending  emigrants  would  be  decidedly  of  more  value  if 
iiade  by  federal  rather  than  communal  authority.  The  officials  of  most  towns  and 
dllages  might  be  relied  on  to  give  correct  information,  but  others,  especially  the 
,)oor  and  small  communities,  have  not  always  in  the  past  been  proof  against  the 
emptation  to  rid  themselves  of  their  undesirable  citizens. 

Consul  Pugh,  Palermo,  has  already  been  quoted  as  being  in  favor  of 
•onsular  inspection;  but,  as  will  be  seen  in  that  quotation,  he  certifies 
^0  the  ease  with  which  criminals  can  avoid  detection.     A  further  quo- 

iatiou  from  the  same  letter  is : 

J 

'  Regulations  may  be  prescribed  for  the  purpose  of  identification  and  locating  the 
^esidcuce  of  the  emigrant.  The  consular  employe  could  at  once  go  to  his  place  of 
,esideuce,  make  his  identification  there,  then  learn  the  real  person  and  actual  char- 
cter.  Then,  again,  this  would  bring  the  intending  emigrant  before  the  consul,  which 
|\roiild  disclose  all  instances  of  old  age,  decrepitude,  and  many  of  the  diseases  which 
•0  to  make  up  the  undesirable. 


i  As  we  received  last  year  from  Italy  70,776  emigrants,  and  as  there 
lie  but  twelve  consulates  in  Italy,  it  becomes  obvious  that  this  plan 
A'oukl  involve  a  large  traveling  division  and  enormous  expense  to  visit 
he  homes  of  intending  emigrants,  and  as  the  age  and  decrepitude  of 
■he  emigrants  are  reasonably  well  in  sight,  they  could  be  passed  upon 
it  the  seaports  of  Europe  or  of  the  United  States  as  readily.  As  for 
liseases  to  be  learned  about  at  their  homes,  this  suggests  that  the 
raveling  division  of  inspecttors  nuist  also  be  medical  men. 
,  Consul  Starkloff',  Bremen,  one  ot  the  most  important  seaports,  replies 
is  follows : 

i  The  most  effective  system  of  examination  of  intenfling  emigrants,  I  think,  would 
fC  to  compel  the  emigrants  to  get  from  their  government  authorities  a  certificate  of 
cod  conduct,  and  to  instruct  the  steamship  companies,  their  agents,  and  sul)agents 
ot  to  sell  a  ticket  to  any  emigrant  unless  he  has  such  certificate.  'I'he  government 
uthorities  who  would  be  willing  to  give  an  undesirable  citizen  a  passport  in  order  to 
|o  get  rid  of  him  would  hesitate  very  much  to  give  to  the  same  person  a  certilicate  of 
|oo(l  citizenship,  if  aware  that  said  person  had  been  in  conflict  with  the  laws  of  the 
oimtry.  As  far  as  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives  are  concerned,  I 
liink  the  present  system  of  examination  by  the  steamship  surgeons  is  inadequate  for 
he  following  reasons:  With  due  regard  for  the  theoretical  knowledge  of  the  steam- 
hip  surgeons,  it  is  well  known  that  most  of  them  are  young  and  inex])erienccd  men 
.'ho  consider  their  positions  only  as  temporary  ones,  as  their  salary  is  limited  and 
liere  is  no  prospect  of  glory  or  promotion  connected  with  it,  and  for  an  ambitious 
hysiciau  it  is  only  a  stepping. stone  to  higlier  aims.  For  this  reason  they  will  hardly 
'jniain  on  board  a  steamship  long  enough  to  become  th(nonghly  familiar  with  the 
iities  and  responsibilities  imposed  ui)on  thcni.  The  steamship  surgeon  at  this  port 
xamiuestlie  emigrants  an  honr  before  they  leave  the  city  to  go  on  board  the  steamers, 
ihe  value  of  an  examination  of  ,500  to  1,.560  passengers  in  so  short  a  time  is  clear  to 
iny  experienced  physician  or  layman.  During  one  winter  season  1  have  seen  these 
Kaminations  take  place  in  a  large  room,  illnminatcd  by  one  or  two  lamps,  and  in  a 
^mperature  of  10^  to  12-^.  My  proposition  is  that  the  United  States  appoint  one  or 
•vo  surgeons  at  every  port  of  emigration  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  examine,  under 


134    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

the  sapervisioii  of  the  United  States  consul,  all  emigrants,  and  reject  the  idiots, 
sane  persons,  and  other  defectives,  and  such  aftlicted  with  loathsome  or  contagit 
diseases,  and  if  there  is  the  least  suspicion  from  the  appearance  of  anyone  that 
is  atilicted  with  consumption  or  heart  disease,  to  make  a  close  individual  examinati 
and  reject  him  if  afflicted. 

As  to  the  several  points  raised  hj  Mr.  Starkloff  we  submit: 

First.  A  certificate  of  good  conduct  from  the  Government  authoriti 
would  exclude  the  most  desirable  element,  viz,  those  within  the  mi 
tary  age. 

Second.  As  we  have  already  stated,  up  to  the  time  of  our  confereii 
with  the  steamship  companies  at  Liverpool  and  Bremen,  the  examin 
tion  of  ships'  surgeons  was  sui^erficial  and  had  reference  more  partic 
larly  to  such  diseases  as  related  to  the  comfort  of  the  passengers  < 
the  trip  over.  If  the  steamship  companies  can  not  see  that  it  is 
their  i)ecuniary  interest  to  prevent  the  shipment  of  insane  person 
idiots,  or  persons  excluded  because  of  disease  which  will  suggest 
proper  inspection  on  their  side  by  their  surgeons,  the  return  oi'  su( 
defectives,  as  has  been  promptly  and  regularly  done  atKew  York,  mus 
by  continuance,  force  such  attention  ujdou  them. 

Third.  The  proposition  that  surgeons  be  appointed  at  every  se 
port,  under  the  supervision  of  the  consul,  for  examination  with  refe 
iuce  to  defectives  discovered  by  medical  inspection  would  simply  1 
an  aid  to  the  inspection  which  takes  place  on  this  side,  but  inasnun 
as  it  AYould  save  to  the  emigrant  the  ocean  passage  to  and  from  tli 
country,  it  is  worthy  of  consideration. 

Consul  Johnson,  of  Hamburg,  who  represents  one  of  the  most  ii 
portant  consular  districts,  so  far  as  emigration  is  concerned,  and  wl 
seems  to  have  given  the  subject  considerable  thought  and  attentio 
regards  consular  inspection  as  impracticable,  giving  his  reasons  ther 
for.  His  repl}^  to  this  question  has  already  been  quoted  in  the  prece- 
ing  pages  of  this  report  with  reference  to  another  point,  and  atteiitic 
is  here  called  to  that  quotation  as  applicable  to  the  question  immed 
atel}^  under  consideration. 

The  consul  at  Antwerp,  Mr.  J.  H.  Stewart,  says: 

It  would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  apply  any  effective  system  by  consul 
oftioers  or  agents  under  them  of  inspection  of  intending  emigrants.     *     *     * 
might  probably  be  a  good  plan  to  require  intending  emigrants  to  procure  from  tl 
autliorities  of  their  respective  districts  a  certilicate  showing  their  character,  geuer 
condition,  occupation,  and  exemption  from  military  duty. 

Consul  John  S.  Twells,  Kaples,  Italy,  reports: 

It  is  extremely  doubtful,  in  my  opinion,  whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  ado 
and  apply  an  eticctive  system  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  Americ; 
consuls  or  ofticers  under  their  direction,  and  the  cost  and  labor  of  maintaining  sui 
a  system  would  be  both  laborious  and  expensive  Avithout  fully  ejecting  the  desin 
result.  When  a  physician  was  employed  by  the  United  States  Government  to  e 
amine  intending  emigrants  during  the  cholera  epidemic  in  Naples  he  was  paid  ; 
the  rate  of  $10  per  diem. 

Consul  Axel  Georgi,  Stockholm,  reports: 

Depends  upon  how  far-reaching  the  examination  should  go.  Think  imi^ractieab 
with  any  amount  of  success  to  examine  on  this  side.  The  new  existing  laws  in  tl 
United  Istates  are,  in  my  opinion,  the  most  etiective  system;  that  the  ships  a 
bound  to  bring  back  sucli  people  as  are  not  mentally  and  physically  sound  and  U" 
able  to  work.  This  will  certainly  compel  their  agents  to  lookout.  A  great  numb' 
of  interrogatories  to  the  consulate  have  come  forward  this  year  with  res])ect  to  tl 
effect  of  the  new  law,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  many  doubtful  persons  have  bet 
kept  away  from  going  by  the  replies  they  have  received  from  the  consulate.  Tl 
consuls  can  not,  in  my  opinion,  detect  contracts  if  people  Avish  to  conceal  tliei); 
The  Swedish  laws  prevent  young  men  in  military  service  to  emigrate  unless  sp 
cially  licensed,  which,  however,  in  most  cases  is  done.  The  authorities  control  th 
part  of  the  question. 


t 


ENFORCEMENT   OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  135 

Consul  George  Gade,  Cliristiania,  says: 

,  fo  tills  question,  wliicli  is  most  clifiQcult  to  answer,  I  wonld  say  that  it  will  Le 
:hardly  practicable  to  apply  a  system  of  examination  of  emigrants  by  the  American 
consul  at  a  port  like  this,  where  on  an  average  10,000  persons,  among  whom  are  a 
onnple  of  thousand  from  another  country,  viz,  Sweden,  every  year  emigrate  to  the 
United  .*^tates.  The  emigrants  come  here  from  very  remote  parts  of  this  great  coun- 
try, and  the  only  way  in  which  the  consul  could  be  informed  as  to  their  morals  and 
other  qualifications  would  be  by  production  by  the  intending  emigrants  of  certifi- 
cates from  clergymen  in  their  respective  districts  or  from  under  sheriffs,  all  of  whom 
would  likely  be  unwilling  to  give  such  certificates.  The  military  laws  of  Norway, 
which  on  the  whole  are  very  liberal  in  regard  to  emigration  of  persons  within  the 
military  age,  would,  so  far  as  I  know,  prevent  emigration  of  such  persons  by 
,cousular  inspection.  Any  person  intending  to  emigrate  is  bound  to  appear  before 
the  police  authorities  at  the  port  of  departure,  and,  if  liable  to  military  service,  to 
produce  permission  to  leave  from  the  military  authorities,  which  is  easily  granted. 

Consul  Rawicz,  at  Warsaw,  says : 

Examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  United  States  consuls  would  be  impracti- 
cable in  this  country.  All  that  might  be  done  would  be  to  instruct  consuls  in  a 
concise  way  when  to  grant  or  vise  the  passports  and  in  what  cases  to  refuse  them. 

Consul  George  Edwards,  at  Berlin,  writes: 

The  determination  of  all  questions  touching  the  physical  and  financial  condition  of 
emigrants  should  be  left  to  the  light  of  expert  knowledge  in  the  United  States.  There 
are  too  many  degrees  ol  insanity,  too  many  stages  of  pauperism,  to  enable  us  to  adopt 
,or  apply  an  efi'ecti  ve  system  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  b^'  American  con- 
suls, ik'sides,  it  would  in  most  instances  be  a  great  hardship  to  compel  intending 
emigrants,  with  the  difierent  members  of  the  family,  to  appear  before  the  consulate 
in  person.  If  any  sort  of  a  process  of  weeding  out  the  defectives  and  undesirable 
ieniigrants  should  l)e  adoi)ted  or  begun  under  consular  inspection  it  should,  in  my 
opinion,  be  definitely  confined  to  the  examination  and  authentication  of  such  records 
as  emigrants  may  be  required  by  law  to  bring  with  them  to  our  shores.  The  method 
'and  system  of  registration  required  by  the  laws  of  this  country  furnishes  to  the  con- 
sul permanent  records  which  contain  a  stock  of  practical  and  useful  information 
.which  truthi'nlly  reveals  the  character,  conduct,  and  condition  of  every  subject  of 
■this  Emi)ire.  These  records,  which  have  an  extraordinary  scope,  are  at  the  disposal 
of  each  emigrant  and  within  reach  of  consular  ofilcers,  and  certainly  atlord  means  of 
'research  quit*}  l)eyond  the  reach  of  our  authorities  at  home.  Inspection  by  consular 
officers  of  this  record  evidence  can  be  productive  of  nothing  but  good.  That  record 
evidence  may  be  falsified  in  isolated  cases  is  not  practically  important.  The  form  of 
the  certificat<-8  or  transcripts  of  reeoids  should  depend  on  the  system  of  registration 
in  effect  at  the  place  of  abode  of  intending  emigrants.  Every  emigrant  should  be 
bronght  to  a  fair  understanding  of  the  value  of  the  privilege  he  seeks  before  he  starts 
to  make  a  home  with  us.  The  best  way  to  sharpen  the  sense  of  the  worth  of  resi- 
dence in  the  United  States  is  for  us  to  insist  that  the  intending  emigrants  shall  take 
the  personal  trouble  to  bring  an  aiithenti<ated  copy  of  their  records  with  them. 
Nothing  is  more  certain  to  my  mind  than  that  every  honest  and  industrious  German 
who  desires  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  can  procure  and  produce  the  most  sat- 
isfactory record  evidence  as  to  character,  conduct,  and  occupation.  Intending  emi- 
grants, who  are  indisposed  or  unwilling  to  fnrnish  the  record  evidence  which  sur- 
rounds them,  an<l  which  has  grown  witli  them  since  birth,  and  which  is  so  full  and 
complete,  may  well  and  justly  be  considered  to  be  unfit  to  seriously  assume  the 
responsibility  of  citizenship  with  us,  or  to  have  black  records.  However,  in  the 
jconsideratiou  of  this  subject  of  consular  aid  or  inspection  it  may  be  well  for  you  to 
bear  in  mind  that  the  foreign  authorities  may  refuse  to  extend  assistance  to  consuls 
to  detect  criminals  and  other  defective  persons,  and  base  such  refusal  on  the  ground 
that  our  laws  permit,  and  practically  encourage,  the  emigration  of  foreign  subjects 
■ill  violation  of  tlie  laws  goveining  military  s(;rvice.  Certainly  no  consular  examina- 
'tion  or  inspection  would  be  signally  efiVctive  unless  the  system  adopted  is  upon 
the  basis  of  hearty  cooperation  with  foreign  authorities.  The  truth  is,  this  whole  sub- 
ject of  examination  demands  international  consideration. 

Consul  General  Goldschmidt,  Vienna,  reports: 

The  proposed  measure  of  consular  certificates  will  never  work  to  advantage.  In 
fact,  it  will  prove  useless  as  a  check  to  the  undesirable  element  of  emigration,  while 
it  will  be  a  luirden  and  hardship  to  such  people  as  are  welcome  to  our  shores.  The 
tinie  and  work  of  the  consul  should  be  fnily  devoted  to  the  commercial  interests  of 
,his  country,  to  protecting  American  citizens  in  distress,  and  to  giving  such  of  hia 


136  ENFORCi;jViENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

coimtrymcn,  traveling  in  Europe,  who  seek  information  and  enlightenment  on  pa 
lie  affairs,  his  views  and  attention.     There  are  a  great  many  things  in  Europe  th, 
we  can  learn  and  profit  hy,  and  a  United  States  consul  has  no  time  to  waste  on  nev 
comers  in  the  capacity  of  a  detective  or  emigration  agent.     The  cost  of  maiutainii- 
a  system  of  examination  by  American  consuls  would  be  considerable,  it  requiring 
least  two  extra  clerks  for  each  consulate.     Great  ignorance  prevails  in  Austria  in  ij 
gard  to  our  laws  on  emigration,  especially  the  recently  enacted  restrictive  laws 
to  contract  laborers,  criminals,  paupers,  and  vagrants.     The  United  States  consi 
slionld  be  authorized  toi^ublish  officially  in  the  daily  press  of  this  Empire  a  synope 
of  these  laws  that  have  been  passed  to  prevent  the  emigration  of  undesirab 
elements.     The  work  of  surveillance  and  examination  of  emigrants  must  be  done  ; 
the  ports  of  arrival  in  an  efficient  and  humane  manner. 

Mr.  Goldschmidt  is  one  of  the  best  informed  officials  on  the  subj( 
of  emigration  we  found  in  Europe,  and  our  interview  with  him 
closed  the  fact  that  he  had  given  considerable  thought  and  attenti| 
to  the  subject,  especially  with  reference  to  Austria,  to  which  count 
he  is  accredited  as  consul-general.  His  suggestion  to  publish  o\ 
cially  in  the  public  press  a  synopsis  of  our  laws  restricting  the  emi^ 
tion  of  the  undesirable  elements  is  worthy  of  consideration  with  a  vil 
to  adoption. 

We  close  this  part  of  the  subject  by  quoting  from  a  letter  fi*om 
Hon.  George  S.  Batcheller,  United  States  minister  to  Portugal: 

In  my  judgment  it  is  not  feasible  to  refer  the  question  of  fitness  or  qualification  of  tl 
emigrant  to  the  consuls.  It  would  be  found  imjiracticable  to  apply  a  series  of  fix( 
rules  in  individual  cases,  and  each  examining  functionary  would  be  called  upon  toe; 
ercise  a  certain  discretion  which  he  might  not  be  qualified  to  apply.  Regulatio] 
should  be  applied  differently  in  different  countries,  and  unfortunately  for  the  consul; 
service  these  functionaries  are  frequently  changed,  and  it  occasionally  hapi)ens  thatt 
account  of  a  lack  of  knowledge  of  local  laws,  customs,  or  language,  or  for  other  obv 
ous  reasons,  the  consular  officer  is  necessarily  ill  qualified  for  the  exercise  of  tl 
semi  judicial  functions  necessarily  involved  in  such  special  service.  Besides,  tl 
labor  incident  to  such  examinations,  especially  at  ports  where  there  is  a  large 
continuous  emigration,  wouhl  involve  a  greatly  augmented  clerical  force,  includi; 
medical  experts,  etc.,  and  a  consequent  increase  of  expense.  In  fact,  it  would  r 
quire  a  lepetiticm  in  the  consular  offices,  on  a  small  scale,  of  the  macliinery  of  tl 
hureau  of  Imaiigration  and  landing  stations  of  ports  of  entry  in  the  United  State 
but  the  determination  of  the  fitness  of  the  emigrant  to  be  admitted  into  the  Unite 
States  should  be  made  at  the  port  of  entry.  The  laws  and  regulations  relating  1 
emigrants  destined  for  the  United  States  should  be  published  in  the  newspapers 
every  country  and  notified  to  their  governments,  especially  to  the  police  and  ott 
toms  authorities  of  every  port  of  embarkation.  A  clause  should  be  inserted  i 
every  treaty  of  commerce  and  navigation  with  the  various  powers  to  the  effect  th; 
these  laws  and  regulations  should  be  made  known  and  applied  as  far  as  practicab 
to  every  emigrant.  I  would  suggest  that  the  laws  regulating  the  admissibility  i 
emigrants  should  provide  that  each  person  on  landing  should  furnish  to  the  Unite 
States  authorities:  First,  a  certificate  from  his  home  government  setting  forth  h 
civil  and  judicial  status.  These  certificates  can  be  readily  procured  inall  continei 
tal  European  countries.  They  are  extracts  from  the  register  everywhere  existing  < 
what  is  known  as  the  "etat  civil"  and  "etat  judiciaire"  of  each  citizen.  In  tl 
Latin  countries  these  certificates  emanate  from  the  police  authorities.  In  son 
other  countries  they  are  furnished  by  the  parochial  authorities,  and  in  some,  I  h 
lieve,  by  the  clergy.  Second,  the  certificate  of  birth,  '^acte  de  naissance."  Th 
latter  would  give  the  original  nationality  of  the  emigrant,  his  age  and  parentag 
frequently  A^ery  important  elements  in  determining  the  fitness  of  the  emigrant  e 
pecially  for  citizenship.  In  Europe  such  certificates  are  almost  invariably  require 
to  be  produced  by  apj)licants  for  ax)pointment  in  positions  in  the  government  servne 
or  by  those  seeking  mercantile  or  commercial  employment.  These  requiremen 
should  also  be  incorporated  into  naturalization  laws  of  the  country,  as  they  wo  ' 
furnish  sure  guides  to  the  magistrate  in  determining  the  age  and  other  qualificati 
of  citizenship.  They  are  simple  safeguards;  they  would  at  once  show  the  age 
judicial  standing  of  the  emigrant,  whether  ever  convicted  of  crime,  etc.,  and  w 
be  readily  furnished  by  such  as  are  worthy  to  be  incorporated  into  the  populate 
and  body  politic  of  the  United  States. 


H'^ 


ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.     "     137 
EXPENSE  OF  CONSULAR  INSPECTION. 

j  As  to  the  expense  involved  in  the  system  of  consular  inspection  Tfe 
jave  received  very  little  definite  information  from  the  consuls,  the  oiie 
eply  most  to  the  point  beiog  from  the  consul  at  Gottenberg,  wlio 
tates  that  in  his  district  it  would  involve  an  expenditure  of  $8,000  per 
fUiuim;  but  with  nearly  250  consulates  in  the  European  countries  seud- 
jg  us  emigrants,  the  expense  for  interpreters,  medical  officers,  and 
lerks  would  be  large,  and  would  probably  exceed  $500,000  per  annum. 

INSPECT  10 JN  BY  STEAMSHIP  AGENTS  AND   SUBAGENTS. 

The  extent  and  manner  in  which  steamship  agents  '^inquire  into  the 
liaracter  or  condition  of  intending  emigrants"  has  until  recently  been 
iiite  superficial,  as  lias  already  been  stated.  The  extent  to  which  exami- 
iatiou  by  the  agents  of  transportation  companies  in  Europe  cau  be  made 
iflective,  being  one  of  the  propositions  laid  down  in  your  instructions, 
$  a  subject  worthy  of  serious  consideration,  for  if  it  can  be  made  eftect- 
(e  it  will  materially  aid  in  simplifying  the  problem, 
i  V\'e  have  already  shown  that  the  subagents  of  steamship  lines  in 
[lurope  are  numerous  (7,000  reported,  with  the  Hamburg,  North  Ger- 
.lan  Lloyd,  Italian  lines,  Ecd  Star  and  other  lesser  lines  not  heard 
•om  on  this  point),  and  that  they  are  directly  controlled  by  the  com- 
'anies,  and  in  all  countries  subject  to  the  laws  and  regulations  and 
ipervision  of  the  officials,  involving  among  other  things  forfeiture  of 
losition  in  the  event  of  violation  of  the  rules.  These  subagents  person- 
lly  know  the  true  status  of  the  intending  emigrant  in  more  cases  and 
etter  than  any  other  persons.  They  are  the  only  ones  who  have  a 
^irect  personal  interest  and  who  can  be  made  to  sufter  personal  loss  in 
lie  event  of  a  return  of  a  defective.  Their  gain  is  represented  by  the 
f^mniission,  which  is  small  (from  $1.50  to  $2  in  Europe  and  $3  in  the 
[nited  States),  and  one  returned  passenger  will  destroy  the  commis- 
ions  on  many  tickets. 

(While  occasionally  one  may  escape  the  vigilance  of  the  inspection  of- 
per  on  our  side  the  subagents  can  not,  from  the  standpoint  of  business 
plicy,  aiiord  to  take  the  chance.  Evidence  of  the  practical  working  of 
jiis  plan,  on  an  experimental  scale,  was  found  in  the  books  of  the  Ham- 
arg  Company,  at  Hamburg,  to  which  attention  has  already  been 
■illed,  and  which  showed  that  twenty-four  persons  had  been  rejected 
ithin  a  recent  period,  comprising  cases  which  the  subagents  sub- 
mitted to  the  head  office,  as  they  were  in  doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of 
I'lling  tickets  to  such  persons;  also  the  cases  already  cited  wheie  the 
sorth  German  Lloyd  Company  delayed  two  families,  each  having  a 
Hppled  member,  until  they  could  ascertain  by  cablegram  Avhether  the 
llatives  were  able  and  would  furnish  satisfactory  bonds  that  they 
ould  not  be  permitted  to  become  a  public  charge  on  us.  We  call  at- 
hition  here  to  tlu^.  circulars  issued  by  the  Hamburg  and  Bremen  com- 
jinies  to  their  agents  since  the  amended  act  of  last  April  went  into  ef- 
^ct,  and  one  issued  since  our  conference  with  the  steamship  companies 
t  Bremen,  on  October  1,  all  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix. 
ha  steamship  companies  will  be  the  prime  sufferers  for  returned  ineli- 
jble  emigrants,  aud  self-interestwouldprompt  them  to  perfect  thema- 
ninery  so  that  the  burden  would  fall  upon  the  proper  persons,  viz,  those 
ho  could  protect  themselves  and  failed  to  do  so.  Such  plan,  after  be- 
I  ig  supplemented  by  plain  construction  of  our  laws,  and  well-defined 
igulations  coveiing  such  laws,  combined  with  a  thorough  inspection 
i  all  the  United  States  ports  (which,  under  any  plan,  should  be  rigidly 


138    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

continued)  and  the  expulsion  of  ineligibles  after  landing,  it  is  believe 
will  effectively  solve  the  problem.  A  fair  trial,  at  least,  should  be  give 
before  European  inspection  is  attempted  with  its  manifold  objection, 

MEANS  AVAILABLE  AT   THE  UNITED   STATES  PORTS. 

The  majority  of  emigrants  come  "to  our  country  on  prepaid  ticb 
purchased  in  this  country  from  subagents.    They  can  be  controlled  h 
by  law  and  regulation,  so  as  to  prohibit  the  sale  of  tickets  until  it 
been  satisfactorily  established  that  the  persons  seut  for  are  eligible 
landing  under  our  laws.     This  will  not  require  additional  officials, 
will  cost  nothing  to  the  Government  or  the  emigrant.    It  will  avoid 
barrassing  annoyance  and  expense  to  the  desirable  emigrants,  of  wh 
at  least  90  per  cent  are  clearly  eligible  under  our  laws,  and  product! 
additions  to  this  country.     Of  the  remainder,  who  are-turned  aside  an 
detained  for  more  careful  examination,  nine-tenths  prove  their  eligibiUt 
by  showing  satisfactorily  that  they  have  husbands,  brothers,  fathers,  ( 
other  relatives  who  can  and  will  provide  for  them,  if  necessary.    Th: 
they  can  establish  on  this  side  better  than  in  Europe,  as  we  can  and  d 
require  proof  that  the  parties  who  assume  the  responsibility  for  sue 
care  are  able  to  fulfill  their  agreement.     Of  the  final  remainder,  tlio^ 
wlio  are  not  returned  under  the  present  law,  or  who  can  not  be  detecte 
on  landing  (an  infinitesimally  small  proportion),  could  be  almost  wlioll 
guarded  against  by  their  expulsion  before  citizenship,  when  their  defect 
or  crimes  are  exposed  after  landing.* 


COMPULSORY  RETURN   OF  IMMIGRANTS  AFTER  LANDING. 


There  have  been  prevented  from  landing  at  the  port  of  New  Yor] 
from  the  1st  of  April,  1891,  the  time  that  the  amended  law  went  int 
effect,  to  December  1,  1891,  a  period  of  seven  months,  984  ineligib] 
persons,  and  380  persons  have  been  returned  under  the  year  claus< 
This  year  clause  authorizes  the  return,  at  the  expense  of  the  steamslii 
companies,  of  persons  who,  within  twelve  months  after  the  landing,  d 
velop  defects  which  existed  at  the  time  of  landing.  If  this  time  wer' 
extended  so  as  to  cover  the  entire  period  until  becoming  citizens,  an 
the  clause  requiring  it  to  be  shown  that  such  defects  existed  at  the  ti 
of  landing  be  stricken  out,  we  would  practically  rid  ourselves  of  all 
evils  of  immigration  without  imposing  unnecessary  hardship  on  or 
terfering  with  the  incoming  of  the  desirable  element  to  which  t] 
country  is  so  largely  indebted  for  its  remarkable  prosperity  and  p: 
ress. 

All  countries,  except  England,  now  expel  from  within  their  border' 
alien  paupers  and  criminals,  and  there  seems  to  be  no  reason  why  thi 
is  nr,t  desirable  or  proper.  To  expel  an  alien  criminal,  or  leaving  i 
witliin  the  discretion  of  the  court  to  expel  after  serving  sentence  fo 
his  crime,  and  the  same  as  to  the  pauper  as  soon  as  he  develops  paupei 
ism,  supplemented  by  the  rigid  inspection  now  in  vogue  to  arrest  th 
undesirables  at  the  threshold  of  our  country,  will  practically  remedy  tli 
evils  which  ore  complained  of,  but  complained  of  in  exaggerated  degree 
If  persons  not  citizens  of  this  country  were  liable  to  expulsion,  it  wouL 
act  as  a  deterrent  for  the  commission  of  crime,  stimulate  the  effort  t 
achieve  and  maintain  a  self-supporting  condition,  and  provo  a  powerff 
incentive  to  perfect  themselves  for  citizenship,  especially  if  the  avenui 
toward  citizenship  were  carefully  guarded.  It  would  rid  us  of  ev 
alien  criminal  as  soon  as  he  had  vserved  his  time.     It  would  rid  us 


I 


*An  amcnclment  to  the  act  of  March  3,  1891,  providing;  that  all  steamship  coinpauys  eneajre^  i  _ 
briii2:iiig  inimi.£::raTits  to  United  States  ports  should  comjily  Avitli  the  regulations  sii;r;^^cstcd  on  ff'' 
14^-4  of  this  report,  xmder  penalties  to  be  prescribed,  would  effectually  stop  tJie  embarkation  of  ii ; 
eligible  immigrants. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    139 

Very  pauper  as  soon  as  he  reached  that  condition,  and  with  the  pros- 
ect  of  expulsion  as  part  penalty,  anarchistic  demonstrations  on  the 
'art  of  aliens  would  most  likely  cease. 

Consular  inspe(ttion  will  prove  to  be  a  machine  which  will  firrnish 
is  with  that  class  hardly  emerged  from  the  condition  of  dependence 
^d  those  who  are  traveling-  toward  it;  those  who  are  fresh  from  the 
radle  and  those  a])proaching  the  grave.  It  will  keep  from  us  the  bone 
'lid  sinew  which  European  governments  desire  to  retain  and  which  up 
')  the  present  time  at  least  have  been  of  material  advantage  in  the  de- 
elopment  of  the  great  natural  resources  of  the  United  States. 
!  But  whether  inspection  be  had  here  or  abroad,  by  consuls  or  other- 
ase,  we  desire  to  call  attention  to  the  importance  of  properly  guarding 
be  frontier,  especially  on  the  north,  for  the  ine\itable  result  of  raising 
^e  bars  and  closing  the  gaps  at  the  seaports  must  be  to  turn  the  tide 
r  ineligibies  desiring  to  come  here  to  those  points  Avhere  gaps  still  ex- 
%t  and  who  will  find  their  way  across  the  border  to  our  country.  As 
eitinent  to  the  suggestion  of  properly  guarding  the  frontiers  and  the 
'turn  of  undesirables,  with  its  probable  efllect  upon  steamship  com- 
txnies  ill  tlie  exercise  of  care  and  preliminary  inspection  by  their  agents, 
^e  quote  from  a  report  of  the  select  committee  appointed  in  1889  (still 
;i  session)  by  tlie  BritivSh  House  of  Commons,  to  inquire  into  the  laws 
xistiiig  in  tlie  United  States  and  elsewhere  on  the  subject  of  immigra 
'on  of  destitute  aliens,  etc. 

Mr.  H agger,  vestry  clerk  of  the  parish  of  Liverpool: 

But  those  cases  are  very  rare? — They  are  rare,  but  we  have  had  several  large 
trties.  The  Syrian  Arabs  we  had  for  several  moiitlis.  We  were  very  anxions  to 
(ml  them  back  to  their  own  country  but  we  had  great  difficulty  in  doing  so,  even 
^ter  oliering  to  j)ay  the  cost  of  sending  them  home.  The  Greek  gypsies  did  not 
joiiblo  us  so  mncli. 

Ulow  (lid  these  peojile  come  here;  did  they  pay  their  own  passage? — The  Arabs,  so 
i|r  as  we  could  tell,  paid  tlitir  passage  in  Marseilles  to  go  to  New  York.  They  went 
i^roHgh  to  Havre,  ant  I  from  Havre  they  went  on  to  Liverpool.  From  there  they 
jent  on  to  New  York  and  they  were  refused  permission  to  land  there  by  the  Ameri- 
jii  authorities.  They  were  brouglit  back  by  the  American  vessel  that  took  them 
jit  and  t]i(!y  were  th(Mi  sent  over  to  Havre.  The  Havre  people  receiA'ed  them  and  kept 
iem   for  a  mouth   or  six  weeks,  but  they   did  not  know  wliat  to  do  with  them. 

Iien,  as  we  believe,  they  coaxed  s(mie  captain  of  a  British  vessel  to  bring  them 
ck  to  Iviverpool,  and  they  were  landed  at  Liverpool. 

j  rh<\v  wer  •  not  very  protitable  ])assengersf — No;  at  Liveri^ool  they  were  sent  to  the 
jorkhouse  and  we  had  to  keep  them. 

Mr.  Conner,  M.  A.,  lecturer  in  University  College,  Liverpool : 

For  instance,  I  can  quote  one  case  which  came  under  my  own  knowledge  of  an 

iiglishman  Avho  was  oiit  in  America  and  wiio  sent  to  England  for  his  mother  to 
u»e  out  to  America,  and  when  she  landed  they  asked  what  her  visible  means  of 
Itsistence  was.  The  man  was  a  mechanic  and  he  was  very  well  off,  but  before 
ey  would  allow  her  to  pass  throutili  he  liad  to  vouch  that,  although  she  was  very 
d  (she  w:is  about  70),  and  although  there  was  no  chance  of  her  earning  anything, 
1  was  earning  very  good  wages,  that  he  had  a  certain  amount  of  money,  and  was 
tending  to  k(>ep  her. 

I  suppose  in  all  cases  they  ask  them  whether  they  have  any  means  of  subsistence? — 
■s:  they  ask  tliat  in  all  cases.     Y'ou  have  had  evidence,  I  think,  given  you  to  that 
feet. 
jEvcryl)ody  who  lands  in  America  has  to  go  through  certain  forms,  I  believe? — Yes. 

i'Aud  if  they  have  no  visible  means  of  subsistence  the  steamer  has  to  take  them 
ckf— Yes,  certainly.  So  far  as  1  can  understand  there  is  a  great  amount  of  elas- 
•ity  in  tlH>  American  system.  They  do  not  bind  their  officers  to  any  particular 
lea,  saying  tliat  if  i)ersons  have  not  got  so  much  money  they  are  not  to  come  in  on 
ay  consideration.  If  the  officer  sees  that  they  are  able-bodied  and  have  just  got 
jough  money  to  enalde  them  to  go  on,  he  wiiradmit  them. 

He  is  left  to  liis  own  discretion  f — As  I  understand  it,  a  great  deal  is  left  to  his  dis- 
etion,  and  it  is  unavoidable  that  it  should  be  so.  Tlie  committee  are  aware,  I 
Uieve,  that  that  really  only  refers  to  the  seaboard.  The  immigration  to  America 
|rough  Canada  is  quite  difierent. 


140    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

That  is  unlimited,  is  it  not? — Yes,  practically  tliat  is  unrestricted;  it  is  not  int( 
fered  with  at  all. 

Therefore,  if  the  precaution  is  insisted  upon  the  immigrants  have  only  got  to 
round  by  Canada;  have  they  any  restrictions  in  Canada? — No,  they  are  proposi 
restrictions.  The  question  was  raised  in  the  Dominion  Parliament,  but  it  was  mer( 
raised  as  a  question. 

Uj)  to  the  present  time  they  have  no  restrictions? — No,  they  have  no  restrictic 
at  present.  ^ 

III  concluding  tliis  brancli  of  inspection  by  consuls  or  otherwise,  ^ 
submit  the  views  of  representatives  of  the  steamship  companies  in  E 
rope,  whicli  will  be  found  in  Appendix  p.  146,  et  seq. 

IS  THERE  CONSIDERABLE  RETURN  MOVEMENT  OF  EUROPEANS! 

Your  final  proposition  is : 

Whether  there  is  any  considerable  emigration  from  European  countries  of  adi 
males,  unaccompiinied  by  families,  with  the  purpose  of  returning  to  Europe  aftei 
limited  period,  and  whether  there  is  any  considerable  return  movement  of  Europea 
who  have  once  settled  in  the  United  States,  with  the  cause  if  such  movement  exis 

That  there  is  such  a  movement  is  undoubted,  but  that  it  is  consider, 
ble  in  proportions  the  statistics  in  vol.  ii  disprove.  Those  figures,  giv( 
by  months,  show  that  the  movement  is  spread  pretty  regularly  over  tl 
entire  year  and  with  little  variation  corresponds  to  the  movement  in  tl 
cabins. 

In  calculating  the  permanent  acquisition  to  our  population  the  nui' 
ber  who  return  to  Europe  should  be  deducted  from  the  grand  total 
arriving  emigrants.  These  figures  disprove  the  theory  which  prevai 
that  large  numbers  come  to  this  country  in  the  spring  for  the  purpoi 
of  obtaining  employment  in  the  summer,  and  return  to  their  Europe? 
homes  in  the  autumn  with  the  money  earned  duringthe  season.  Whi 
there  is  no  doubt  that  this  is  carried  on  to  some  extent,  the  figur< 
show  that  the  movement  is  not  so  extensive  as  has  been  generally  b 
lieved.  It  varies  also  as  to  lines;  for  instance,  the  ±^orth  German  Lloj 
Company,  which  for  son;e  years  has  brought  the  largest  number 
steerage  passengers  to  this  country,  shows  the  outgoing  steerage  pa 
sengers  as  greater  in  the  months  of  May,  June,  and  July,  while  the  E( 
Star  and  Anchor  lines  show  the  maximum  figures  for  is^ovember  ai] 
December.  The  Liverpool  lines  show  the  greatest  numbers  of  passe;' 
gers  of  this  kind  in  July,  followed  by  December,  June,  August,  ac 
Slay.* 

Eelative  to  those  who  return  to  Europe  in  the  steerage,  it  is  four 
that  among  them  are  many  who  are  able  to  go  in  the  cabins,  but  tl 
difference  in  fare  is  sufficiently  great  to  warrant  the  temporary  incoi 
venience  found  in  the  steerage  as  compared  with  cabin  accommodation 
and  tlie  remark  is  made  by  such  thrifty  passengers  that  they  know  < 
no  speedier  Avay  to  make  money  than  to  save  it  by  such  a  course. 

Tliat  part  of  the  statement  relating  to  the  Liverpool  lines  is  in  teres 
ing  also  in  showing  that  the  fast  steamers  secure  the  largest  number 
and  it  may  be  suggested  that  these  figures  indicate  that  the  movemei 
of  tourists  to  and  from  Europe  is  not  confined  alone  to  cabin  passenger 

Kespectfully  submitted. 

Jno.  B.  Weber,  i 

Chairman^  etc. 
Walter  e:empster, 
Ifemher  of  European  Commission^  etc,  j 

Hon.  Charles  Foster,  j 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury^  Washington^  D.  C, 

*  Returns  from  all  of  above  lines  will  be  found  in  vol.  u 


r 
ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    141 


APPENDIX. 

CIRCULARS  OF  THE  NORTH  GERMAN  LLOYD  COMPANY. 

[Sent  to  all  persons  applying  for  rates  of  passage,  etc.] 

Passengers  forwarded  via  Bremen  to  America.  Asia.  Australia  with  steamships 
of  the  North  German  lAovd  Bremen.     Exchange  of  German  money  in  Amer- 

I  ican,  and  drafts  on  all  ports  of  America,  Asia,  Africa,  and  Australia.  F. 
Mattfeld,  93  Invaliden  strasse,  Berlin.] 

Id  response  to  yours  of  the  —  instant,  I  beg  to  inform  you  that  our  German 
steamers,  owing  to  the  prevailing  strong  desire  to  emigrate,  are  always  engaged 
nd  their  berths  assigned  a  long  time  previous  to  their  sailing.  It  is  therefore 
0.  the  interests  of  the  pa:5sengers  to  secure  tlieir  passage  beforehand  by  sending 
•le  a  postal-money  order  of  lifteen  marks  for  adults,  half  of  this  for  children 
•(^m  1  to  V2  years  of  age.  in  order  to  insure  their  gocd  faith,  otherwise  they  run 
ho  risk  of  finding  tliemselves  unable  to  sail  at  th--  appointed  time.  xVt  th  .^  same 
Ime  ycu  are  lequ*  sted  to  till  out  the  inclosed  paper  so  as  to  enable  me  to  cause 
bur  namej  to  be  printed  on  the  steamship  list  of  passengers  and  to  send  you  a 
trtifcate  of  acceptance  on  the  chosen  steamer  with  receipt  for  your  money, 
Iso  instructions  for  traveling.  The  hand  money  serves  only  to  secure  the  places, 
nd  is  always  deducted  from  the  passage  money.  The  same  will  never  be  lost 
jith  me  in  ca^c  you  can  not  sail  on  the  steamer  selected  by  you,  but  will  be  taken 
ito  account  when  sailing  witli  another  one.  You  must  only  notify  me  four  days 
^•evious  t)  the  sailing  of  said  steamer  of  your  inability  to  take  passage  on  the 
•ime  so  as  to  enable  me  to  till  your  places. 

J  Each  passenger  is  allowed  as  space  for  his  baggage  one-half  cubic  meter  (t 
■•.eler  long  1  wide,  one-half  high)  irrespective  ot  weight.  Larger  pieces  of 
iggage  which  would  cost  too  much  "overfreight "  had  better  be  sent  beforehand 
b  the  North  German  Lloyd  at  Bremen.  On  your  arrival  at  the  depot  in  Berlin 
(3u  will  be  met  by  one  of  my  employes  who  will  direct  you  to  me  and  after  set- 
i  g  with  me  will  take  you  back  to  the  depot  for  departure. 

After  these  general  and  preliminary  remarks  which  you  must  not  lose  sight 

if  you  want  a  speedy  and  early  embarkation  I  can  not  refrain  from  writing  the 
blowing  well-meant  words:  In  the  first  place  you  arc  v/arned  to  be  careful  not 
J  undertake  a  hasty  departure  and  not  to  give  any  credence  to  the  frequent  ru- 
'iprs  about  free  passage  at  the  cost  of  steamship  companies  for  working  aboard 
lip  or  after  payment  in  America.  These  rumors  are  spread  by  swindlers  for 
je  purpose  of  deceiving  ignorant  and  credulous  people  and  to  get  money  out 
'  t  their  pockets. 

1  further  consider  it  my  duty  to  warn  you  and  your  friends  to  keep  away  from 
^y  English.  IloUandish,  and  other  non-German  steamship  companies  who  may 
.  ^ve  you  many  alluring  promises  never  to  be  realized,  as  a  great  many  com- 
¥i'nts  wc!  e  made  b  fore  the  Commission  oi  Immigration  in  N -w  York  about 
|e  treatment  and  f  edingor  German  passengers  aboard  ship.  The  great  exccl- 
iice  of  the  German  mail  steamers  of  the  North  German  Lloyd  at  Bremen  as  to 
I  jjeir  seawoi-thincss,  exemplary  conduct  of  their  experienced  officrs  and  effect- 
IB  crews,  their  celerity,  combined  with  safety  and  good  food  for  the  steerage 
issengers.  are  all  well  known  and  generally  acknowledged. 

.rhe  passage  rates  for  express  and  mail  steamships  of  the  North-German  Lloyd 
1  Bremen  ar.-  as  follows: 

bn  Tuesdays,  Wednesdays,  and  Saturdays  an  express  steamship  sailing  for 
■  lew  York marks. 

On  Thursdays,  by  mail  steamship  sailing  for  Baltimore, marks  for  every 

lirson  over  iJ.  years  of  age;  children  under  12  years,  half  rate.  Babies  under 
i^ear,  iO  marks. 

'Prom  these  rates  the  amount  prv  viously  sent  in  as  hand  money  is  deducted. 

t'or  th^  passage  money  the  passengers  get  a  cot  with  mattress  and  woolen  cov- 
-  ^et,  also  crockery  and  eating  plate,  and  wholesome  food  in  plenty  during  the 
Si  voyage. 

Morninfju—CoSee,  with  milk  and  sugar,  and  wheat  bread. 

A'oo;).s'— Soup,  with  fresh  beef  and  potatoes,  or  pea  soup  with  bacon,  or  bean  soup 
^'h  (piekledj  salt  jneat.  or  sauerkraut  and  pork,  or  plain  soup  with  bacon,  etc. 

H.  Ex,  »y 45 


142     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Afternoon — Coffee,  with  milk  and  sugar. 

Evenings — Tea,  with  milk  and  sugar,  rye  bread,  butter,  or  sea  biscuits. 

The  passengers  have  no  need  to  bring  along  with  them  aboard  ship  any  eat- 
ables, and  they  have  equally  no  nee:l  to  pay  extra  for  any  food  aboard  ship. 

There  is  an  erroneous  impression  prevailing  among  the  public  at  large  tha' 
they  can  promptly  get  passage  aboard  s  i^ip  without  going  to  the  trouble  of  or- 
deling  their  places  beforehand.  But  they  will  be  sadly  disappointed  upon  ar 
rival  in  thj  Hanseatic  cities,  as  they  will  under  no  circumstances  be  forwarded 
to  their  destination  directly,  but  will  have  to  wait  tediously  and  a  long  whik 
until  they  succ  ed  in  getting  a  berth,  esj^ecially  in  view  of  the  present  prevail 
ing  strong  desire  to  emigrate. 

It  is,  therefore,  strongly  urged,  to  secure  passage  before  leaving  home,  througl 
application  for  the  saaie  accompanied  by  hand  money. 

In  reference  to  papers  required  by  you  for  voyage.  I  call  your  notice  that  ac 
cording  to  the  passport  law  of  1867,  and  regulation  ministerial  of  the  1st  of  De 
cemher,  18. i9,  no  pas-ports  forgoing  abroad  are  now  required;  a  passenger  needi 
only  his  identification  papers;  certificate  of  baptism  or  marriage,  military  papers 
and  other  official  documents  will  serve  the  same  purpose. 

Only  minors,  i.  c,  persons  under  21  years  of  age,  and  who  desire  to  go  withou 
being  accompanied  by  their  parents  or  guardians,  have  to  be  furnished  with } 
certitieate  of  their  parents  or  guardians  permitting  them  to  go;  the  signatureo 
the  latter  must  be  attested  by  the  proper  authorities.  Persons  subject  to  militar; 
duty,  i.  e.,  thoi;^e  between  17  and  39  years  of  age,  have  to  prove  that  there  isnoth 
ing  on  the  part  of  the  military  authorities  to  hinder  their  departure. 

In  reference  to  the  right  of  landing  in  North  America,  attention  is  called  t 
following  notice: 

^^ Agents,  attention! 

"By  the  immigration  law  of  the  United  States  of  North  America  landing  1 
granted  only  to  such  persons  who  are  able  to  work  and  gain  a  living.  Landin; 
is  prohibited  to  weak-minded,  idiots,  lunatics,  cripples,  lame  persons,  person 
aihicted  with  contagious  or  incurable  diseases,  pregnant  unmarried  women,  ud 
married  women  with  children,  also  criminals  and  convicts." 

AVe  add  t )  tnis  that  under  persons  designated  in  No.  3  as  those  "  likely  to  be 
2ome  a  public  charge  "are  :  Blind,  lame,  deaf  mutes,  cripples,  women  wdth  ehi^ 
:lren  who  have  no  relatives  in  the  United  States,  unmarried  pregnant  womer! 
unmarried  women  with  children. 

We  further  call  to  your  notice  that  the  law  is  applied  without  consideratio 
whatever.  For  instance,  the  wife  is  excluded  from  landing  by  the  medical  ii 
spector  if  she  is  a  cousujnptive,  wliiie  her  husband  and  children  are  allov.ed  t 
land ;  or  a  weak-minded  girl  is  not  admitted,  though  relatives  send  for  her  an 
are  willing  to  furnish  bonds  for  her  support. 

In  view  of  all  we  have  heretofore  said,  we  request  you  to  be  very  careful  i 
accepting  passengers,  and  in  all  doubtful  cases  to  require  our  opinion  befo: 
concluding  a  pa>snge  contract  with  the  passenger  in  question.  If  we  appro'> 
the  acceptance  of  su{;h  v.  passenger  you  are  relieved  from  any  responsibility  i 
that  matter;  but  if  you  book  a  passenger  who,  upon  examination,  is  found' 
be  ineligible,  you  will  be  charged  with  H5  marks  for  his  return  passage. 

NoiiTH  German  Lloyd  Passengers'  Dep't. 

Bremen,  June,  1891. 

In  conformity  with  the  extracts  of  the  law  above  given  it  will  be  set 
that  the  steaniship  companies  having  offices  intheHanseaticcitiostnl 
every  precaution  not  only  to  comply  with  their  own  law,  bnt  to  iiotii 
their  snbagents  of  existing  laws  in  the  United  States,  as  shown  by  tl 
foregoing  circnlars,  and  which  they  arerequiredby  their  laws  tod eliv< 
to  every  applicant  for  passage  tickets. 

CIRCULAR  OF  HAMBURG-xVMERICAN  PACKET  COMPANY. 

Hamburg,  JS'ovember  11,  1S91, 
To  our  agents: 

To  meet  numerous  inquiries  put  to  us  in  consequence  of  our  circulars  dat( 
February  r>,  ISSO,  and  .Tune  -i,  1891,  we  give  you  on  the  other  side  an  extract 
the  United  States  immigration  act,  of  which  please  take  note  and  act  accor 
ing] y.     We  request  you  again  to  see  to  it  that  no  persons  are  accepted  for  trai' 
portation  whose  landing  in  the  United  States  will  mt^et  with  difliculties. 


1 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    143 

In  doubtful  cases  you  will  inquire  of  us,  filling  up  the  list  of  questions  as  per 
:opy  on  the  other  side,  and  not  book  the  passenger  before  you  are  informed  by 
us  that  he  can  be  forwarded. 

In  case  any  ]-)asseug-ers  booked  by  you  be  refused  permission  to  land  in  the 
(United  Slates,  and  it  appears  that  with  proper  care  on  your  part  you  should  have 
iiscoverefi  the  difficulty,  we  shall  have  to  hold  you  responsible  for  the  amount  of 
che  return  passage.  ><0  marks  net,  and  also  for  transportation  expenses  from  Ham- 
ourg  to  the  passenger's  home. 
YoursVespectfully, 

Hamburg- Amerikanische  Packetfahrt  Aktien- 

Gesellschaft,  Passage  Dep't. 

extract  from  the  united  states  imlvngration  act. 

The  person  intending  to  emigrate  should  carefully  read  the  extract  before  fill- 
ing out  the  list  of  questions  on  the  next  page  (144). 

i  According  to  the  law  of  the  United  States  of  America  of  March  3, 1891,  thefol- 
owing  persons  will  be  refused  permission  to  land  : 
'  (1)  Imbeciles,  idiots,  and  insane  persons. 
'  (2)  Cripples. 

\  (Exceptions  can  be  made  in  certain  cases,  for  instance  with  children  traveling 
Ivith  or  to  their  parents,  or  persons  who  are  expect.-d  by  relatives  giving  bond 
!or  their  support.  Under  certain  conditions  it  is  important  to  know  in  deciding 
I  case  whether  the  infirmity  of  the  passenger  impairs  his  ability  to  support  him- 
self.) 

(3)  Persons  suffering  from  a  loathsome  or  a  dangerous  and  contagious  disease. 
;  (Consumption  is  counted  among  these.) 
j  (4)  Paupers,  i.  e.,  persons  likely  tob.-come  a  public  charge. 

(This  includes  inmates  of  pooi-hous^s  or  persons  supported  by  the  community 
w  State;  beggars;  persons  unable  to  work  on  accovmt  of  old  age  or  for  other  rea- 
Ws,  1  rphans  who  are  not  old  enough  to  earn  their  own  living  unless  they  are 
<xp2cted  by  relatives,  who  give  bond  for  their  support;  persons  bodily  or  morally 
legraded,  /.  e..  d)-unkards:  single  women  or  widows  with  children  or  in  a  preg- 
-lant  condition  unless  expected  by  relatives  who  give  bond  for  their  support. 
Jnmanied  women  with  children  or  in  a  pregnant  condition  traveling  alone:  ex- 
^,  options  have  been  made  incases  where  the  intended  husband  expected  the  arri- 
ral  and  the  marriage  took  place  before  landing.) 

'  (5)  Persons  convicted  of  a  felony  or  other  infamous  crime  or  misdemeanor  in- 
volving moral  turpitude. 

(Political  criminals  are  excepted.) 
■  (6)  Poiygamists,  i.  c,  persons  having  several  wives,  for  example.  Mormons. 

(7)  Persons  whose  passage  is  |;aid  for  by  others  or  who  are  supported  or  assisted 
Dy  others  in  emigrating,  if  it  is  not  already  shown  that  the  person  in  question 
loes  not  belong  to  one  of  the  excluded  classes  of  emigrants. 

I  (Th3  assistance  itself  is,  therefore,  not  the  cause  of  exclusion,  but  in  case  an 
jmigrant  is  suspected  of  belonging  to  one  of  the  barred  classes  of  emigrants  is 
fegarded  as  an  aggravation. ) 

(8j  Persons  who  want  to  emigrate  on  the  strength  of  a  labor  contract  closed 
")efore  they  arrive  in  America.     (Act  of  February  26,  1885.) 

(A  labor  contract  is  a  binding  obligation  between  employer  and  employe, 
thereby  the  employer  agrees  to  engage  the  workman  on  certadn  terms.) 

The  following  persons  are  excluded  under  the  lirovisionsoi  this  act  oi  the  26th 
>f  February,  lb85:  Private  secretaries,  servants,  and  domestics  engaged  by  for' 
jigners  ti;ansiently  living  in  the  United  States:  persons  engaged  in  an  industry 
requiring  particular  skill  and  not  yet  pursued  in  the  United  States  if  such 
Workmen  can  not  be  secured  in  the  United  States;  ministers  of  religious  so- 
'ieties.  professors,  teachers,  actors,  artists,  orators,  singers,  domestics,  and 
radesmen. 

According  to  section  4  of  the  law  of  od  of  March.  1S91,  steamship  and  other 
ransportation  companies  and  shipowners  are  forbidden  to  invite  or  encourage 
•mig  alion  to  the  United  States  either  directly  or  through  agents  in  writing, 
n  print,  or  verbally;  only  ordinary  business  letters,  circulars,  notices,  or  verbal 
,eprcsentation  regarding  sailings  of  vessels,  rates  of  passage,  and  condition 
ind  advant-iges  ot  the  stream -hip  eompany  a-e  permitted. 

j  When  /ver  a  doubt  exists  as  to  the  admission  of  an  emigrant  it  is  absolutely 
[ecessary  that  an  inquiry  should  be  addre.-jsod  to  the  steamship  line  in  which 
"lie  case  is  explained  and  a  decision  asked  for. 


144    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

LIST  OF  QUESTIONS    REGARDING    PERMISSION    OP  AN    INTENDING  EMIGRAI^ 
TO  LAND  IN   THE  UNITED  STATES. 

These  questions  must  be  plainly  and  truthfully  answered  and  then  sent  to  ti 
agent  or  the  steamship  line,  who  will  reply  as  soon  as  possible  whether  the  h 
ing  is  likely  to  be  permitted  or  not.  In»case  no  answer  is  received  within  eigj 
days  the  applicant  must  be  inforjiied  that  the  application  has  been  eent  to  ' 
United  States  authorities,  so  that  a  decision  can  not  be  expected  before  four- 
five  weeks. 

The  emigrant  will  be  held  responsible  for  all  consequences  of  false  statemem 

QUESTIONS. 

[In  case  the  reply  received  is  favorable,  the  emigrant  should  carefully  preserve  this  paper] 
order  to  present  it  upon  being  examined  when  landing  in  America.] 

(1)  Christian  name  and  family  name? 

(2)  Age? Residing  in? 

(3;  Occupation  or  trade  ?- 


(4)  Destination  in  the  United  States? 

(5)  Traveling  alone  or  in  company?  In  the  latter  case  state  name  of  comps 
ions  and  their  relationship  to  applicant. 

(6)  Is  the  person  expected  in  America?  Who  are  the  persons  expecting  hi 
or  her  ?  Where  do  they  live,  and  how  are  they  related  to  the  emigrant  ?  (Exi 
address  must  be  given.) 

(7)  State  the  reason  why  a  doubt  exists  that  the  person  will  be  permitted 
land.  -- 

,  the ,  18—. 

Signature:  

Address:  


SKETCH  OF  A  SHORT  NOTICE  TO  BE  PRINTED  ON  TICKETS,  PRC 

PECTUS,  ETC. 

The  United  States  law  of  March  3,  1891,  excludes  the  following  persons  fi 
landing: 

Idiots,  imbeciles,  insane,  cripples  or  persons  afflicted  with  bodily  infirmit 
consumptives,  persons  with  loathsome  contagious  diseases,  criminals,  inma 
of  poorhouses,  persons  unable  to  work  and  having  no  friends  to  care  for  the 
unacc  impanied  women  with  children  when  they  are  not  expected  by  their  h" 
bands  or  relatives  who  would  care  for  them,  professional  beggars,  girls  w  |i 
children  or  in  a  state  of  pregnancy,  laborers  wlio  previous  to  their  leaving  wj 
engaged  by  contract  to  worK.  In  all  doubtful  cases  inquiries  must  be  made  | 
the  steamship  company  before  the  embarkation  of  emigrants. 


IMMIGRATION  LAWS  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  FROM  MARCH  3,  1^| 

The  aim  which  the  United  States  Government  had  in  view  in  enar 
ing  the  above  law,  is  plainly  shown  from  the  re])ort  given  helow  of  IJB 
conference  held  on  October  1,  1891,  between  the  United  States  Cc(- 
missioners  of  Immigration  and  the  representatives  of  several  steam  sip 
companies.  The  Commission  declared  that  strong  able-bodied  men  Avilli  g 
and  able  to  work  are  not  exclnded  under  the  law,  but  on  the  other  hai 
that  Government  will  take  decisive  measures  to  prevent  the  Uiiiil3 
States  from  becoming  the  dumping  ground  of  criminals,  sick,  cripp]5. 
beggars,  convicts,  in  short,  all  persons  becoming  or  who  may  becom  a 
public  charge  or  detrimental  to  the  weltare  of  the  community,  and  tl  It 
the  importation  of  laborers  under  contract  with  American  manuf  ;• 
tuiers  will  be  strictly  watched  and.  prevented. 


ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.         145 

-  EXTRACT  FROM  CIRCULAR   SENT  TO  SUBAGENTS   OF  THE  HAMBURG- 

AiVIERICAN  AND   NORTH   GERMAN  LLOYD   STEAMSHIP   COMPANY. 

:  Bremen,  October  1,  1891. — As  already  annoimced  by  telegraph,  the 

*  fepresentatives  of  the  Koith  German  Lloyd,  Hamburg  -  American 
:  hicket  Company,  Ketherland-American  Steamship  Comi3aDy,  General 
;  ^ausatlautic  Company,  and  Eed  Star  Line  have  met  here.    The  meet- 

ig  was  called  to  order  by  Col.  Weber,  United  States  Superintendent  of 

-  "lumigration,  who  is  at  the  head  of  a  Commission  sent  by  the  United 
•tates  Government  to  Europe  to  investigate  the  causes  relating  to  im- 
ligration  to  United  States.  A  similar  conference  of  representatives  of 
,11  the  steamship  Unes  (English;  was  recently  held  in  Liverpool  with 

*  hvorable  results.  It  was  esi)ecially  desired  to  hear  the  oinnions  of 
"iftereut  shix)X)ing  lines'  representatives,  concerning  the  advisability  of 
ispection  by  the  consular  authorities,  of  those  intending  to  emigrate  to 
'Inited  States,  or  have  them  subjected  to  the  inspection  of  subagents 
f  the  companies  who  are  dispersed  over  the  whole  land,  and  in  such 

-Ipse  whetlier  the  companies  have  a  sufficient  control  over  them.     All 
'lese  (juestions  are  not  oidy  of  great  importance  to  the  United  States, 
lint  of  financial  import  to  the  shipping  companies  as  well,  as    the 
Hnited  States  Government  is  determined  to  enforce  the  law  by  further 
:  |^?strictions  of  immigration  if  the  comi^anies  can  not  or  will  not  suffi- 
'  iently  exercise  caution  in  selecting  emigrants,  and  this  will  cause 
■pavy  financial  losses  to  the  shipping  concerns. 
—  i  It  is  evident  that  the  United  States  will. accept  good  German  labor- 
""  ibs,  but  a  great  many  lazy  and  inca])able  people  are  going  over,  for  the 
rost  part  of  non-German  nationality,  who  use  one  of  the  ports  of  the 
JO ve- named  companies  for  embarkation.     As  to  whence  all  such  people 
)me  and  what  causes  dri^•e  them  to  emigration  the  Commission  gath- 
][jfed  valuable  information  during  their  travels  through  Eussia,  Austria- 
Hungary,  Italy,  France,  Belgium,  Holland, and  Great  Britain.    This  voy- 
^e  was  undertaken  by  the  direct  order  of  the  United  States  Treasury 
:  i^kpartment  as  a  consequence  of  the  ever-growing  desire  there  to  check 

!e  immigration  stream,  as  it  carries  along  with  it  elements  detrimen- 
1  to  the  workingmen,  and  helps  to  swell  the  multitude  of  convicts  and 
mendicants.  When  we  consider  what  short  process  was  made  with  the 
s^nese  over  there,  it  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  similar  energetic 
Pleasures  would  have  to  be  taken  in  the  United  States  in  case  sub- 
'^^ents  of  comi)anies,  derelict  in  their  duty,  will  palm  off  such  undesir- 
able imigiants. 

Col.  Weber  clearly  showed  all  this  before  the  assembled  representa- 
Ires  of  the  above-named  companies,  and  warned  them  against  the  ship- 
\\\g  of  emigrants  who  on  the  ground  of  the  so-called  contract-labor 
iws  would  not  be  permitted  to  land.  He  pointed  to  the  possibility  of 
Irther  restrictions  in  immigration  laws.  The  meeting  unanimously 
i  -cnted  to  the  proposition  to  order  an  inspection  of  emigrants  by  the 

Ijageiits  of  the  companies,  as  the  latter  would  be  well  able  to  have 
Urn  under  control.  A  consular  inspection  is  not  deemed  feasible  from 
lactical  grounds. 

it  may  be  incidentally  remarked,  that  the  Commission  after  many 

>;iths  of  labor  has  completed  its  task  in  Europe  and  will  shortly  go 
their  homeward  journey.     Owing  to  the  voluminous  mass  of  gathered 

iterial  it  Avill  take  some  time  before  the  official  report  will  be  pub- 

hed. 

H.  Ex.  235 10 


146  ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN    CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

LETTERS  FROM  STEAMSHIP  COMPANIES  RELATING  TO  EUROPEA] 

INSPECTION. 

[The  Liverpool  Steamship  Owners'  Association,  10  Water  Street.] 

*  Liverpool,  August  14, 1891. 

Sir  :  In  addressing  you  on  the  subject  of  emigration  to  the  United  States, .. 
a;ii  instructed  by  the  Atlantic  passenger  lines,  members  of  this  association,  t 
convey  to  you  tlieir  expression  of  gratification  for  the  opportunity  recently  a: 
forded  them  of  discussing  the  American  immigration  acts  with  your  Commissiot 
and  to  add  their  views  upon  the  suggestions  proposed  for  consideration  by  th 
Commission,  viz  : 

(l)The  feasibility  of  agents  booking  passengers  certifying  to  their  being  fi 
and  proper  persons  to  b  '  admitttrd  into  the  United  States,  and  as  being  free  fror 
any  disqualifications  cited  in  the  United  States  immigration  act,  1891. 

(2)  Whether  in  the  event  of  suggestion  (1)  being  disapproved  of,  such  certif 
cates  should  not  be  given  by  American  ci  nsular  ottlcers. 

Whilst  either  of  tliese  courses  would  not  obviate  critical  examination  on  th 
passenger  disembarking  in  America,  the  additional  annoyance,  cost,  and  diff 
culty  entailed  in  obtaining  these  certiticates  of  a  reliable  nature,  particularly  a 
there  is  no  law  in  this  country  that  could  be  put  in  force  to  punish  a  passenge' 
for  making,  or  agent  for  issuing  any  false  statements,  w^ojdd,  in  the  opinion  c 
the  lines  interesred,  only  tend  to  still  further  foster  indirect  immigration  int 
the  United  States. 

The  Atlantic  members  of  our  association  have  an  organization  giving  them 
control  over  their  agents,  and  they  would  venture  to  suggest  as  an  alteruativ 
t )  either  of  these  proposals,  and  for  more  restrictive  legislation,  that  the  steair 
ship  companies  \mdertake  on  proof  1  eiug  aitorded  from  the  Immigration  Burea 
at  any  of  the  United  States  ]iOits.  that  immigrants  liad  knowingly  been  booke 
by  any  agents  in  contravention  of  the  terms  of  the  immigration  act.  a  copy  c 
which  has  been  supplied  to  each  agent,  that  such  agent  should  be  dis^ualifie' 
from  acting  for  any  one  of  the  companies  for  a  period  of  twelve  months,  or  otl: 
ervvise  penalized  as  the  circumstances  of  the  case  deserve.     This,  coupled  wit 
the  fact  that  the  companies  themselves  are  naturally  anxious  to  avoid  the  mair 
tenance  of  undesii  able  immigrants  at  New  York,  and  the  cost  of  their  return  t 
tills  country, would,  in  the  opinion  of  our  members,  be  more etticacious  than  anj 
thing  yet  suggested  to  prevent  undesirable  persons  from  being  shipped  by  th' 
Ailantic  lines  of  this  association,  while  not  intn-fering  with  or  restraining  th 
natural  tlow  of  ihe  better  class  of  immigrants. 

I  might  here  say  that  a  very  large  and  increasing  pr  ^portion  of  so-called  in" 
migrants  into  tlie  United  States  is  composed  of  steerage  passengers  who  hav" 
come  from  America  to  visit  Europe.  So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  ascertain  th' 
number  of  steerage  passengers  leaving  the  ports  of  New  York,  Boston,  and  l-'hi" 
adelphia  number  9LO0O  passengers,  and  it  may  be  taken  that  at  least  four-lifth 
of  these  passengers  return  to  t!ie  United  States. 
I  am,  sir,  yours,  obediently. 

Gray  Hill, 

ISecretary, 

Col.  Weber, 

(Care  Messrs.  Brown,  Shipley  &  Co.,  Founders  Court,  London.) 


[Red  Star  Line  Royal  Belgian  Mail  Steamers.    Direct  between  Antwerp  and  New  York  ao 

Antwerp  and  Philadelphia.! 

Antwerp,  October  14,  1891. 
Df.ar  sir:  You  expressed  the  desire  at  the  meeting  in  Bremen  of  the  Is 
October  to  receive  a  letter  from  the  steamship  companies  on  the  question  di; 
cursed  in  this  meeting,  viz,  the  practicability  of  aninsp-  ction  of  intending  em 
grants  by  the  United  States  consuls  or  by  the  company  ssubagents  and  tJieresull 
\vhich  may  be  expected  froin  the  one  or  the  other  inspection  system  with  a  view  t 
pi-ev.  nt  the  embarking  of  what  is  called  undesirable  emigrants.  After  haviu 
ca  efuUy  examined  and  considered  Mr.  Strasser'sreport  on  said  meeting,  andespe, 
cially  on  the  information  and  explanations  which  you  have  furnished  at  sai 
meeting  on  the  intenli;  ns  and  laws  of  youi-  Government,  we  beg  now  to  give  yo 
oui'  views  on  the  matter. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    147 

It  seems  to  us  that  the  so-called  undesirable  emigrants  may  be  divided  into  two 
classes: 

(Ij  Such  emigrants  that  bear  on  them  the  signs  of  their  probable  rejection, 
and  who  can  therefore  surely  and  easily  be  found  out.  To  this  class  would  be- 
long cripples,  insane  persons,  persons  with  contagious  disease,  women  in  an  ad- 
vanced state  of  pregnancy,  and,  in  short,  all  emigrants  who  are  undesirable,  we 
would  say,  for  physical  reas  ms. 

(2)  The  emigrants  whom  the  law  excludes  for  moral  reasons,  and  who,  there- 
fore, are  more  ditiicult  to  be  detected.  To  this  class  belong,  for  instance,  con- 
victs, polygamists,  contract  laborers,  etc. 

Now,  as  to  the  emigrants  coming  under  class  1,  all  that  seems  necessary  to 
prevent  their  <  mbarking  is  a  careful  medical  in-rectionwhen  the  emigrants  are 
shipped.  Such  medical  inspection  takes  place  at  present  and  for  our  line,  it  is 
a  double,  even  triple  one,  Jirst.  by  the  Belgian  Government's  doctor:  second, 
by  the  ship's  sur/^eon,  and.  third,  by  tlie  company's  superintendent  doctor.  It 
may  be  as  you  said  that  this  inspection  has  heretofore  taken  place  more  with 
regard  to  the  hygienic  crmdition  of  the  ship  and  passengers  than  with  a  view  to 
discover  uudesirabl  3  emigrants  ;  however,  our  line  already  gave  instructions  to 
the  latter  eifect  to  our  doctors  some  time  ago,  as  you  saw  from  our  circular  of 
May  t),  and  after  the  Bremen  conference  we  do  not  doubt  that  this  medical  in- 
spection will  be  made  every v/heie  with  a  view  to  meet  your  laws.  Mr.  Strasser 
suggested  that  anohor  doctor  acting  under  the  control  of  the  United  States 
iconsul  at  the  port  or  embarkation  might  join  the  ships  and  Government's  doctors. 
Superfluous  as  this  measure  seems,  we  would  have  no  objection  whatever  to  such 
'a  eonsidar  meclical  iusjDection  if  it  can  assist  the  companies  in  keeping  off  objec- 
tionable emigrants  and  give  satisfaction,  as  you  think,  to  your  Government. 
We  see  only  one  ])Ossible  difficulty,  that  is  the  question  to  whom  the  decision 
belongs  about  einba.king  or  refusing  such  emigrant  cripples  in  whose  favor  an 
exception  may  be  made.  The  doctor  would  from  his  standpoint  only  know 
cripples  as  such,  and  consequently  pronounc  'for  their  rejection,  although  there 
may  be  reasons  which  will  make  it  certain  that  you  would  permit  their  landing. 
Your  colleague.  Dr.  K<'m]~ster,  stated  himself  a  very  sti'ikin'j  case  of  a  deaf  and 
dumb  child  educated  in  France  and  going  to  New  York  to  join  his  parents  liv- 
ing there.  '  In  such  and  similar  cases  the  doctors*  judgment  as  to  the  physical 
condition  should  not  prevent  t\i :  companies  to  let  the  emigrant  proceed,  of 
course  at  his  risk,  and  after  discharging  the  doctor  from  any  responsibility. 

As  to  the  emigrants  coming  under  class  2 — ?.  e,,  undesirable  for  moral  reasons, 
it  is  th-  question  whether  the  consular  inspection  is  to  take  place  in  the  interior 
or  at  the  port  of  embarkation.  In  the  first  case,  one  of  the  greatest  difficwliies 
and  which  you  poiuted  out  yourself  would  be  the  scarcity  of  United  States  con- 
suls I  if  we  are  not  mistaken,  there  are  but  two  consulates  in  Hungary,  one  in 
Poland,  none  in  Galieia.  etc.).  People  would  have  to  travel  long  distances  to 
reach  the  consuls  unless  the  inspection  takes  place  by  correspondence,  but,  in 
both  cases,  the  consul  would  have  to  go  by  the  documents  the  emigrant  lays  be- 
fore him  since  he  knows  nothing  of  him,  and  in  many  cases  it  will  be  difficult,  if 
not  impossible,  to  identify  the  emigrant.  Last,  not  least,  measures  would  have 
to  be  taken  to  see  that  the  inspected  emigrant  is  the  same  emigrant  who  lands 
ou  your  side.  If  the  consular  inspection  takers  place  at  the  port,  the  difficulties 
are  even  greater  on  account  of  the  large  number  and  the  absolute  impossibility 
to  judge  an  emigrant  on  other  grounds  than  his  papers.  Another  circumstance 
should  not  be  forgotten  -that  is,  the  hosality  ol"  most  European  governments  to 
emigration:  those  emigrants  whom  you  consider  as  desirable  to  receive,  our 
Governments  consider  as  very  undesirable  to  lose,  and  the  gentleman  was  right 
who  remarked  in  Bremen  that  in  many  countries  the  authorities  would  refuse 
all  papers  which  well-to-do  people  might  ask  in  order  to  be  enabled  to  emigrate 
to  America.  (We  add  at  once  that  we  do  not  think  that  the  authorities  would 
furnish  pa;  ers  to  convicts,  criminals,  etc..  in  order  to  get  rid  of  them,  because 
we  have  always  considered  as  groundless  the  charge  against  European  govern- 
ments that  they  throw  their  low  cla^s  of  people  intentionally  on  your  hands.) 
The  result  might  be  that  the  consular  inspection  will  keep  away,  together  with 
a  very  small  percentage  of  und  sirable  emigrants,  a  very  large  number  of  well- 
to-do  people,  and  makes  emigration  more  expensive  to  them  at  any  event,  and 
more  difficult  through  the  joui'neys  to  the  consuls'  residences,  fees  for  papers,  in- 
spection, etc.,  and  it  is  admitted  that  every  dollar  out  of  an  emigrant's  pocket 
makes  him  so  much  less  v.Uvu.ble. 

Now,  comparing  to  this  the  agent's  inspection,  the  advantage  at  once  suggests 
Itself  from  the  foregoing.     Whilst  the  consul  does  not  know  the  emigrant,  has 


148    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


^ 


difficulty  to  identify  him,  and  must  rely  upon  papers  which  it  is  difficult  anj^ 
expensive  and  often  impossible  for  the  emigrant  to  procure,  the  agent  lives  o' 
the  spot,  knows  the  emigrant,  his  physical  and  moral  position,  his  habits,  h: 
family,  his  financial  standing,  and  he,  in  the  great  majority  of  cases,  is  able  t 
pronounce  at  once  a  good  and  reliable  judgment  on  the  man.     The  companies  d 
not  claim  to  have  agents  in  every  village,  but  they  are  well  scattered  and  dis 
tributed  over  the  country,  and  certainly*  their  number  is  100  to  1  consul,  and 
good  deal  niore.     The  next  question  presenting  itself  is  whether  the  agents  \\\ 
and  can  inspect  the  emigrant  in  compliance  with  your  law.    Mr.  Strasser  pointi 
out  already  that  the  agents  themselves  have  the  greatest  interest  not  to  hav 
their  emigrants  returned  because  it  hurts  their  reputation,  as  the  emigrant  am 
his  relatives  can  justly  blame  the  agent  for  his  carelessness  or  stupidity.    On 
returned  emigrant  might  ruin  an  agent's  business,  because  such  a  case  is  promptly 
known  in  the  agent's  district  and  confidence  in  him  will  be  shaken  thereby.    Bii 
the  steamship  companies  have  also  the  power  to  make  a  careful  examinution  o  ' 
emigrants  compulsory  by  a  very  simple  method,  which  is  to  hold  the  agents  re 
sponsible  for  the  return  passage.     You  expressed  a  doubt  as  to  the  possibility  o 
enforcing  such  a  rule,  but  there  is  no  difficulty  whatever.     An  agent  refusing  t( 
pay  would  be  in  state  of  insubordination  and  no  line  could  tolerate  this ;  besides; 
an  agent  disaiissed  would  not  easily  find  new  employment  on  account  of  th(| 
license  difficulties  which  were  exj^lained  to  you  at  length  in  Bremen.    The  onb 
difficulty  is  for  the  agent  to  tell  who  is  a  desirable  emigrant  and  who  is  not. 

The  meeting  in  Bremen  must  have  shown  you  that  even  the  steamship  com 
panics  are  not  sure  about  the  interpretation  of  your  law  in  some  of  its  disposi 
tions..  We  think,  however,  that  after  your  explanations  in  Bremen  on  the  law 
and  the  intentions  of  your  Government,  the  same  can  be  made  sufficiently  cleaij 
to  any  somewhat  intelligent  agent.  To  this  effect  extracts  of  your  law,  cii-cu  ' 
lars,  and  other  forms  necessary  for  a  good  organization  of  the  ag-ent's  inspectioi 
are  now  in  the  way  of  preparation.  They  will  form  the  object  of  a  second  lettei 
when  they  will  be  submitted  to  you  after  the  other  lines  have  examined  and  ap 
proved  them. 

In  order  not  to  omit  any  point  in  this  important  question,  we  still  refer  to  thai 
p.rcentage  of  emigrants  which  does  not  pass  through  the  hands  of  agents,  a' 
percentage  which  diifers  for  the  different  lines.  Such  emigrants  will  have  tc 
be  examined  more  closely  than  the  agents'  emigrants  by  the  staff  of  the  passen- 
ger departments  of  the  ditferent  lines  when  they  purchase  their  tickets. 

The  conclusion  at  which  we  arrive  is  the  same  as  in  Bremen,  i.  e.  that  a  con-| 
sular  inspection  is  utterly  impracticable,  and  would,  if  practicable,  give  doubt- 
ful results. 

An  agent's  inspection  would  answer  the  purpose  if  properly  organized,  aud 
there  is  no  reason  why  it  can  not  and  should  not  be  properly  organized. 

We  remain,  dear  sir,  yours  respectfully, 

VON  DER  BeCKE  &  MaRSILY, 

Col.  Weber. 

United  States  Commissioner  of  Immigration,  New  York. 


Sir:  At  the  meeting  in  Bremen  on  October  1  last  you  expressed  the  wish  that 
the  steamship  companies  should  communicate  to  you  in  writing  their  views  upon 
an  inspection  of  the  emigrants,  to  be  eifected  either,  first,  by  the  United  States 
consuls,  or,  second,  by  the  agents  of  the  steamshii:*  lines. 

After  duly  eonsidering  all  circumstances  connected  with  this  question,  the 
two  undersigned  companies  take  the  liberty  to  state  their  opinion,  as  follows : 

(1)  An  inspection  of  the  emigrants  by  the  United  States  consuls  is,  no  doubt, 
feasible,  as  the  United  States  have  the  right  to  decree  that  no  emigrants  are  to 
be  allowed  to  land  who  are  unable  to  produce  a  certificate  signed  by  a  United 
States  consul.  But  the  effect  of  such  a  measure  would  be  almost  prohibitive, 
even  if  the  number  of  the  consuls  in  Europe  were  increased  to  such  an  extent  as  to 
allow  of  the  work  connected  with  the  nt-cessary  inquiries  being  duly  carried  out. 
A  consular  inspection  of  the  emigrants  in  the  ports  of  embarkation  would,  of 
course,  be  nothing  more  in  fact  than  a  pure  matter  of  form,  as  ther  j  would  be 
no  opportunity  to  examine  the  correctness  of  the  statements  made  by  the  em- 
igrants. In  order  to  obtain  reliable  information  as  to  whether  persons  wishing 
to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  belong  to  the  desirable  class  of  emigrants  or 
not  the  consuls  would,  if  they  do  not  by  chance  exactly  know  the  persons  in  I 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    149 

question,  have  to  apply  to  the  emigrants' home  authorities.  There  are,  how- 
'ver,  good  reasons  to  doubt  whether  these  authorities  would  feel  bound  or  be 
illowed  to  give  such  information,  the  more  so  as  they  would  assume  a  certain 
•esponsibility  by  doing  so.  But  it  may  be  taken  for  certain  that  in  such  coun- 
ries  where  emigration  is  not  looked  upon  with  favorable  eyes  (such  being  the 
•ase  everywhere,  with  perhaps  one  temporarj"  exception),  the  refusal  of  the  de- 
;ired  information  would  be  used  as  a  means  to  prevent  the  emigration  to  the 
Jnited  States  also  in  those  cases  in  which  the  laws  of  the  different  European 
•ountries  would  be  insufficient  to  do  this.  The  effect  of  such  a  measure  would, 
unstated  above,  be  equivalent  to  an  interdiction  of  the  immigration  into  the 
Jnited  Stat;  s  and  would  lead  the  stream  of  immigration  into  oiher  channels. 

(2)  We  consider,  however,  that  an  inspection  of  the  emigrants  by  the  agents 
tf  the  steamship  companies  would  not  only  be  practicable,  but  would  also  be 
)roper  means  to  meet  the  laws  of  the  United  States  in  keeping  back  undesirable 
mmigrants.  Thougli  the  steamship  companies  do  not  possess  an  agent  in  each 
)lace,  they  nevertheless  command  the  services  of  a  very  considerable  numberof 
epie:-enlatives.  It  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  in  many  cases  the  agents  will 
:now  the  emigrants  pei  sonally ,  in  other  cttses  t  hey  will  at  least  temporarily  enter 
nto  personal  intercour.-e  vvitli  them  and  can  easily  inform  themselves  about  their 
ii'cumstances.  For  some  time  past  already,  our  agents  have  been  instructed 
hat  they  have  to  indemnify  us  for  the  cost  of  the  return  voyage  of  those  emi- 
ranis.  who,  according  to  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  are  not  allowed  to  land. 
\.s  the  amount  of  indemnification  is  in  no  ])roportion  to  the  benefit  obtained  by 
he  agent  in  such  cases,  we  consider  that  this  measure  can  be  regarded  as  the 
lost  efficacious  means  as  mucli  as  po:-sible  to  keep  back  undesi]'abie  immigrants. 
t  would,  however,  be  desirable  that  some  of  the  legal  prescriptions  should  be 
lore  clearly  defined,  so  as  to  enable  us  to  hold  our  agents  responsible  to  a  greater 
xtent  than  is  now  the  case.  We  further  consider  that  the  comparatively  few 
ases  in  which  pass.'Ugers  by  our  steamers  were  not  allowed  to  land  during  the 
ist  months,  and  which  as  far  as  we  can  judge  did  not  originate  in  a  deliberate 
r  careless  disregard  of  the  law,  might  then  perhaps  have  been  avoided.  There 
an  mo:  cover  be  no  doubt  that  against  an  agent  who  engages  emigrants  of  whom 
c  knows  that  they  will  be  refused  to  land,  an  action  can  be  brought  by  the  steam- 
liip  companies  as  well  as  by  the  emigrants  who  have  been  returned.  By  the 
itter  the  agent  could  be  sued  for  a  full  indemnity  of  the  loss  and  damages  in- 
urred.    Coiisidering  the  vigorousness  with  which  the  laws  respecting  emigra- 

on  agents  are  enforced  in  all  countries,  it  is  quite  certain  that  an  agent  who 
t'libevately  or  carelessly  causes  prejudice  to  emigrants  in  this  way  will  lose 

iS  license  and  never  recover  it. 

We  beg  to  resume  our  views  in  stating  that  an  inspection  of  the  emigrants  by 
le  agents  of  the  steamship  lines  will  be  more  efficacious  than  any  other  means, 
■  only  a  sifting  and  not  a  stoppage  of  immigration  is  intended,  and  remain,  sir, 
Yours,  very  truly, 

LOHMANN, 

Norddeutscher  Lloyd. 
Hamburg,  Decemher  U,  1891. 

John  Myer, 
Hamhurg-Amerikanische  Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft. 
Bremen,  Decemher  15, 1891. 
Col.  Weber,  New  York. 


N  ABRIDGED  SUMMARY  OF  LAWS,  SPECIAL  AND  RESTRICTIVE, 
RELATING  TO  THE  JEWS   IN   RUSSIA,  BROUGHT  DOWN  TO  THE 

YEAR  1890. 

General  observaiion.~li  must  be  remarked  that  many  of  the  laws  here  given 
)ntradict  one  another.  This  fact  must  not  bo  regarded  as  involving  any  inac- 
iracy  in  transcription  or  translation.  In  Russia,  laws  are  piled  on  one  another 
ithout  satisfactory  consolidation.  Hence  the  contradictions,  which,  as  they 
vist  in  the  original  text,  exist  also  in  this  summary. 

ON  religion. 

A  married  (man  or  woman)  who  adopts  the  orthodox  Christian  faith  must 
!in  a  declai-ation  to  the  effect  that  (he  or  she)  will  endeavor  to  convert  (his 
ife  01'  her  husband)  to  the  jame  faith.     (Sec.  81,  Vol.  X,  part  1,  issued  1887.) 
Should  either  a  husband  or  a  wife  (but  not  both)  adopt  orthodoxy,  both  are 


150    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      ' 

prohibited  residence  outside  Ihe  pale  of  Jewish  settlement.    {Ibid.,  and  sec  ; 
Snpp.  on  Passports,  Vol.  xiv,  ed.  IS'u.) 

If  a  Jew  or  Jewess  converted  to  the  Christian  orthodox  religion  does  n 
agree  to  continue  his  or  her  lile  with  the  spouse  remaining-  in  the  Jewish  reli 
ion,  the  marriage  is  dissolved,  and  the  convert  can  marry  a  person  of  the  orttj 
dox  religion.  (h:ec.  81,  Civil  Laws  :  Code  of  Laws  of  the  Russian  Empire,  Yt' 
X,  part  1,  ed.  1887.)  ^  \ 

Jews  on  reaching  their  fourteenth  year,  may  be  received  in  the  orthod<ji 
church  without  permission  of  their  ])arents  or  guardians.  (Sec.  1,  Supp.  to  sr 
78  of  the  Law  on  Prevention  of  Crimes,  187(5.) 

The  minister  of  the  interior  may  allow  Jewish  children  to  be  converted 
any  of  the  Christian  denominations  that  are  tolerated  in  the  Empire,  even  wit 
out  the  consent  of  their  parents.     (Sec.  '.].  Supp.  to  sec.  7tj,  Law  Regarding  t] 
Religious  AtTairs  of  Foreign  Denominations.  Vol.  xi,  part  1  (ed.  1857);  sec. 
note  to  sec.  1)4.  Law  on  Preventii  n  of  Crimes,  Vol.  XIV,  1876.) 

If  either  husband  or  wife  adopts  Christianity,  the  children  under  7  years 
age  of  the  same  sex  as  the  convert  shall  also  be  baptised.  [Ibid.f  Supp.  to  Ai 
7G,  sec.  6.) 

Every  convert  to  Christ ianity  shall  receive  a  monetary  payment  of  from  15  j 
30  rubles,  without  distinction  of  sex.  and  children  half  that  sum.  (Sec.  6,  Sup  | 
to  sec.  78  (note;.  Law  on  Prevention  of  Crimes,  187('.) 

Rural  communities  of  Jewish  agrieultr.rists  shall  k  ep  apart  from  settlers  t: 
longing  to  another  persuasion.     (Sec.  979,  Vol.  ix,  1876.) 

For  the  office  of  rabbi,  only  such  persons  are  eligible  who  have  passed 
course  of  instruction  either  in  the  old  Rabbinical  schools,  or  in  a  training  c( 
lege  for  teachers,  or  in  one  of  the  public  higher  or  middle  class  education 
establishments.  No  one,  except  the  rabbis  or  their  assistants,  may  perform  tl 
ritt  s  of  the  Jewish  faith.  Marriages  or  divorces  not  having  taken  place  befo 
the  rabbi  or  his  assistant,  will  be  considered  illegal.  (Vol.  XI,  part  1,  La 
about  the  Religious  Affairs  of  Foreign  Denominations,  sees.  1083  and  1086,  ai 
n  -te  :  Sec.  113').  and  note,  issued  J8^^6  and  1M87.) 

N.  B. — Both  Rabbinical  schools  were  closed  in  1873,  i.  e.,  seventeen  years  ag, 
Of  th  >  two  training  colleges  for  teachets,  one.  namely,  that  of  Zitjmir,  w  :• 
clo-ed  in  1885.  Be  ides,  when  these  colh  ges  were  founded,  it  was  ordained  1| 
law.  that  such  pupils  as  intended  to  become  rabbis  should  not  be  received.  i,j 
to  the  public  (educational  establishments,  it  is  well  known  that  there  neither  tr| 
Hebrew  langs  age,  no:-  the  Hebrew  religion  is  tauglit,  but  only  such  branches  ; 
knowledge  as  have  nothing  in  common  with  Jewish  theology.  Consequent 
such  so-called  ciown  rabbis  must  necesarily  be  elected  who  leceive  their  ed 
cation  at  the  higher  and  middle  class  public  establishments,  but  who  are  abs- 
lutely  unable  to  perform  religious  rites  which  require  theological  knowledge 
Thus  it  comes  to  pass,  that  the  religious  requirements  of  the  Jewish  eommur. 
tie.-^  can  not  be  provided  for  in  a  legal  manner. 

S;,  nagogue.-  and  houses  of  prayer  in  the  same  streets  and  squares  where  ortli 
dox  churches  exist  must  be  situated  at  a  distance  of  at  Last  a  hundred  sajenfro  ; 
the  latter.     (Sec.  258,  Vol.  Xli,  part  1,  Law  on  Buildings.)  '  1 

Public  prayer  and  worship  may  only  be  held  in  the  synagogues  and  houses 
prayer.  Jews  holding  divine  worship  in  their  houses  without  i)crmission  of  tl 
authorities  will  be  punished  by  law.  (Note  to  sees.  lOGO  and  1061,  Vol.  xi.  pa 
1,  Law  on  the  Religious  AlTairs  of  Foreign  Denominations,  1857;  sec.  98,  Vc 
XIV.  Law  on  Prevention  of  Crimes,  1876.) 

The  establishment  of  synagogues  is  allowed  only  in  places  where  there  are  i  ] 
less  than  eighty  Jewish  houses,  whereas  houses  of  prayer  can  bd  started  only ; 
places  where  there  are  not  less  than  thirty  Jewish  houses.  (Vol.  XI,  Religioi: 
Affairs  of  Foreign  Denominations,  sec.  1062:  Build.  Laws,  sec.  259.)  ' 

N.  B. — Thus  in  places  with  a  smaller  Jewish  population  the  Hebrews  are  pr 
hibiled  public  prayer  under  pain  of  criminal  prosecution. 

Robbery  of  articles  used  in  public  worship,  and  of  effects  appertaining  to  tl 
synagogue,  is  not  considered  as  sacrilege.     (Sees.  219-233,  Penal  Code,  1885  ;  se  j 
170,  Law  on  Punishments  by  Justices  of  the  Peace.)  i 

ON  DUTIES  TOWARDS  THE  STATE. 

I. — Military  duties. 

A  person  who  is  not  a  Christian,  but  whose  brother  has  adopted  orthodOJ' 
and  lives  apart,  will  not  have  the  right  of  exemption  as  the  only  support  of  tl 
family.     (Explanation  of  Sen.,  22  Dec,  1877,  No.  9532,  1885,  and  Oct.  17,  N 

7274.)     • 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    151 

Those  who  do  not  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  family  forfeit  the  riglit  of 
3xemption  of  the  first  or  second  class.  But  this  law  does  not  api)ly  to  converts 
to  Christianity.     (Sec.  48,  Law  about  Military  D  ity,  Vol.  iv,  18 50.) 

The  rules  laid  down  in  sec.  51  of  the  law  on  military  duty,  according  to  which 
ivrsons  called  out  for  services  or  being  already  in  service  can  ofer  as  .substitute 
:  brother  or  another  relative,  do  not  apply  to  Jews.     (Law  of  31st  January,  1839.) 

Jews  can  LOt  be  elected  by  their  town  as  members  of  recruiting  committees. 
Iiiipe-ial  order  of  May  20,  1874.) 

In  the  Kingdom  of  Poland  also.  Jews  can  not  be  elected  members  of  the  re- 
quiting committees.  (Circular  of  the  minister  of  the  interior,  1874,  May  27, 
No.  9."1.) 

No  documents  of  any  kind  affording  the  right  of  carrying  on  a  trade  or  a  pro- 
cssion  will  be  issued  to  Jews  under  any  condition,  except  when  they  have  pro- 
luced  evidence'  that  they  have  been  registered  in  the  recruiting  districts.  (Sec. 
[{}{%  Law  on  Military  Duty,  1880.) 

The  removal  of  the  nam^.s  of  Jews  to  divisions  of  other  districts  or  goveim- 
monts  is  v)nly  permitted  if  they  have  resided  in  the  locality  to  which  they  wish 
t )  belong  not  less  than  two  years.  (For  non-Jews  a  previous  residence  of  only 
*  i.rej  montiis  is  required.)  In  case  of  removal  to  divisions  outside  the  pale  of 
-settlement,  they  lose  all  i-ights  of  exemption  accruing  from  certain  conditions 
of  fttmijy  relations.     (Sec.  119^  Law  on  Military  Duty,  188;).} 

Thy  niiiitary  authorities  have  the  right  to  submit  Jews,  whose  entering  the 
;-ervice  has  ()een  post])oned  on  account  of  bodily  infirmity  or  insufficiently  devel- 
oped muscular  strength,  without  notice,  to  a  medical  examination  ;  such  author- 
ities not  being  obliged  to  pay  any  regard  to  the  time  prescribed  by  law  for  this 
purpose.     (Note  2  to  sec.  14(5,  Law  on  Military  Duty,  188().) 

Jews  who  have  adopted  orthodoxy,  will,  before  they  have  entered  the  service, 
and  notwithstanding  the  cla.sirica^ion  according  to  denominations,  be  consid- 
ered as  Jews.  But  once  they  have  entered  the  service  they  will  be  considered 
as  Christians.  (Explana  ion  of  Rules  by  the  Senate,  1886,  February  19,  No. 
1312.) 

Should  there  be  in  any  district  a  deficiency  in  the  number  of  Jews  eligible  as 
recruits,  either  of  those  not  exempt,  or  of  those  who  on  account  of  family  condi- 
tions have  a  right  to  exemptions  of  the  third  or  the  second  class,  it  is  permitted 
to  draft  into  the  army  such  Jews  as  enjoy  the  exemption  of  the  first  class.  (Note 
2  to  sec.  152,  Law  on  Military  Duty,  188b.) 

The  family  of  a  Jew  who  has  evaded  the  fulfillment  of  his  military  duties  will 
have  to  pay  a  fine  of  300  rubles.  The  amount  of  the  rewai-d  paid  to  anyone 
arresiing  a  Jew  who  has  evaded  his  military  duties  will  be  fixed  by  theminister 
of  the  inteiior.     (Sec.  3(50  and  note,  Law  on  Military  Duty,  188(5.) 

N.  B. — Tiie  restricti'ms  cited  under  this  heading  were  called  forth  by  the 
charge  leveled  against  the  Jews,  that  they  tried  to  evade  their  miliiary  duties. 
But  the  official  data  disprove  the  (charge.  The  proportion  of  the  number  of  Jews 
Ihiblc  to  conscription,  to  tlio  number  of  non-Jews  equally  liable,  must  njcessarily 
equiil  the  proportion  of  the  Jewish  male  population  to  the  non-.Jewish.  According 
to  the  data  produced  in  the  "Journal  of  Statistics,"  issued  by  the  central  statisti- 
cal committee,  the  male  population  of  all  denominations  in  European  Russia, 
for  a  period  of  twelve  years  (1875-1886),  consisted  of  an  average  of  37,918,932,  of 
whom  1,49(;,076  were  Jews,  equal  to  3.95  per  cent  of  the  entire  population.  Now, 
it  appears  from  the  printed  accounts  of  the  ministry  of  the  interior  that  during 
these  twelve  years  there  were  called  for  the  purpose  of  conscription,  8,434,449 
men- Jews,  or  a  yearly  averao-e  of  702,871,  and  446.802  Jews,  or  a  yearly  average 
jof  37,233.  Thus  5.80  per  cent  were  Jews.  This  means  a  far  higher  percentage 
'of  their  number  in  comparison  with  their  percentage  in  the  general  population. 

In  1887,  according  to  the  repoids  of  the  ministry,  printed  in  the  Government 
Gazette,  there  were  called  out:  Non-Jews,  898,992;  Jews,  42,107,  i.e.,  5.31  per 
cent.  In  1888  :  Non-Jews,  862,254;  Jews,  44,918,  L  e.,  5.20  per  cent.  Finally,  in 
1889:  Non-Jews,  844,019;  Jews,  46,190,  or  5.47  per  cent. 

During  the  same  period  of  twelve  years  (1875-1886)  there  were  drafted  into  the 
army  :  Non-Jews,  2,381,272,  or  a  yearly  average  of  19'-:, 439  ;  Jews.  94,535,  or  a 
yearly  average  of  7,878,  i.e..  5.97  per  cent.  In  1887  :  Non-Jews,  234,085;  Jews, 
12,263,  or  5.24  per  cent.  In  1888:  Non-Jews,  249,087;  Jews,  13,141,  or  5.27  per 
cent.  In  1889  :  Non-Jews,  254,106  ;  Jews,  14,552,  or  5.72  per  cent. 
_  Thus  we  find  that,  whereas  the  fair  proportion  of  Jewish  soldiers  in  the  Rus- 
sian army  should  be,  according  to  these  numbers,  3.. 95,  the  actual  proportion  of 
Jewish  soldiers  was  largely  in  excess  of  the  fair  percentage  ;  indeed,  nearly  half 
as  much  again  as  the  equitable  proportion 


1 


152         ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS. 

II, — Taxation. 

Over  and  above  the  ordinary  assessments  to  which  the  rural  population  ar 
the  inhabitants  of  the  towns  are  liable,  the  Jews  have  to  pay  the  following-  sp 
cial  taxes :  • 

I.  The  "  Box  tax,"  which  again  is  subdivided  into  two  classes:  (a)  univer.- 
or  g-eneral,  [h]  private  or  subsidiary.      ^ 

The  gen  ral  tax  is  le  .ied  : 

(1)  On  every  animal  which  is  slaughtered  kosher  ;* 

(2)  Ori  every  bird  which  is  slaughtered  koshe-  :  * 

(3)  Oil  ev>jry  p jund  of  m?at  wbi^ch  is  sold  as  ko-her  ;  * 

(4)  Penalties  and  fines  for  evasions  of  the  law  on  this  point  are  to  be  utilize 
for  the  objects  for  which  the  tax  was  instituted. 

The  subsidiary  tax  levied  from  the  Jews  consists  of  : 

(1)  A  certain  percentage  od  the  rents  of  the  houses,  shops,  and  warehouses  c 
Jews. 

(2)  A  certain  percentage  on  the  profits  of  factories,  breweries,  industrial  estal 
lishments,  and  other  trade  enterprises  carried  on  by  Jews. 

(3)  A  certain  percenta-xo  of  the  capital  bequeathed  by  Jews. 

(4)  A  tax  on  apparel  Sijecially  worn  by  Jews  and  Jewesses.     For  the  wearin 
of  a  sk.dl  cap  (usjd  by  Jews  during  domestic  prayers)  a  tax  of  5  silver  rubles  ^ 
year  is  levied.     (Sees.  1.  5,  8,  10.  note  to  sec.  2*^1.  Law  on  Taxes,  Vol.  v.,  1857.') 

II.  Candle  tax  (on  Sabbath  lightsf),  amounting  to  230,000  rubles  a  j'-ear.  [Ihi 
sees.  \)  and  67.) 

III.  Tax  on  printing  offices,  amounting  to  20  rubles  for  everv  printing  ])r 
worked  by  hand,  120  rubles  for  every  small  machine  press,  and  200  rubles  i 
every  large  or  double  machine  press.     (Note  to  sec.  158,  Vol.  xiv.  Law  on  Cea 
sure,  1886.) 

ON  THE  EDUCATION  OF  JEWISH  YOUTH. 

Jewish  children  are  admitted  only  in  the  public  and  private  educational  estab 
lishments  of  places  in  which  their  parents  have  a  right  of  residence.  (Sec.  906 
Vol.  IX.  Circular  of  1876;  Circularof  the  minister  of  public  education,  1884,  Jul' 
15,  No.  9846.) 

The  issue  of  subsidies  formerly  granted  to  Jewish  boys  and  girls  receiving- 
their  education  in  the  pubUe  educational  establishments  superintended  by  the 
ministry  of  public  education  from  the  sums  set  aside  for  the  education  of  th( 
Jews,  and  amounting  to  24,000  laibles  annually  is  abolished.  (1875.  July  25  (54,i| 
934 A) :  Imperial  /vssent  to  the  Budget  of  the  Committee  on  Ministers.)  '\ 

In  accordance  with  section  907  of  the  same  volume,  Jews  who  have  passed  i^ 
public  middle-class  school  are  allowed  to  enter  universities,  academies,  andotiiei 
higher  educational  establishments  without  restriction.  In  1880  the  authorif 
commenced  to  restrict  the  number  of  Jews  so  entering.  In  1882  the  number  <■ 
Jewish  students  in  the  Military  Academy  for  Medicine  was  limited  to  5  per  cent , 
At  present  no  Jews  at  all  are  admitted  at  this  academy.  In  1883  the  number  o  ' 
Jewish  students  in  the  Mining  Institute  was  also  limited  to  5  per  cent.  Aboui. 
the  same  time  their  number  was  also  limited  in  the  Engineering  Institute  foi' 
Public  Roads.  In  1885  the  Jews  at  the  Technical  Institute  at  Charkoff  were 
limited  to  10  per  cent.  In  188(5  a  prohibition  was  issued  against  the  admissior; 
of  any  Jews  at  all  at  the  Veterinary  Institute  at  Charkoff.  In  1887  the  numbei 
of  Jews  to  be  admitted  at  the  Institute  of  Civil  Engineers  was  fixed  at  3  per  cent. 
And  finally,  in  accordance  with  the  proposals  of  the  committee  of  ministers, 
which  received  the  Imperial  assBut  on  December  5,  1886,  and  June  26,  ]>;87,  the 
minister  of  public  education  obtained  the  right  of  restricting  the  number  oi 
Jewish  pupils  in  the  educational  establishments  generally.  The  ministry  therev 
upon  limited,  in  all  schools  and  universities,  the  number  of  -Jews  residing  ic 
places  within  the  pale  of  Jewish  settlement  to  10  per  cent,  in  places  outside  that 
-pale  to  5  per  cent,  but  in  St.  Petersburg  and  Moscow  to  3 per  cent  of  the  total  num- 
ber of  pupils  in  each  school  or  university.  This  without  regard  to  the  propor- 
tion of  Jews  to  the  general  population  in  any  one  place.  J 

*According  to  Jewish  rite  and  declared  fit  for  food.  The  tax  is  farmed,  and 
adds  'Id.  or  3(7.  to  the  retail  price  of  meat. 

tit  is  the  religious  duty  of  every  Jewish  housewife  to  light  at  least  two  can- 
cles  on  the  eve  of  the  Sabbath  and  festivals,  and  this  custom  is  most  rigorously 
carried  out. 

Xin  some  places  the  Jewish  population  is  80  per  cent  of  the  entire  population. 


ENFOECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    153 

Since  1885  Jews  are  not  allowed  to  hold  university  scholarships  derived  from 
hie  public  treasury,  and  can  only  enjoy  scholarships  derived  from  private  en- 
owments. 

The  proceeds  of  the  candle  tax  is  to  be  applied  to  the  building  of  Jewish 
chools.*  (Section  9,  note  to  section  281.  Tax  Law,  Vol.  V,  1857;  section  1067, 
law  on  the  Religious  Affairs  of  Foreign  Denominations,  Vol.  xi,  part  1,  1857.) 

N,  B. — The  rabbinical  schools  of  Wilna  and  Zitomir  have  been  converted  into 
L-aining  colleges  for  teachers.  The  Jewish  state  schools  for  secondary  educa- 
ion  have  been  closed  by  Imperial  order.  Those  for  elementary  education  have 
een  preserved  only  in  those  places  where  the  number  of  public  schools  proved 
ksufficient  on  account  of  the  large  population  of  Jews.  The  training  college  of 
litomir  has  been  closed  by  order.  (Note  to  section  1083,  Law  on  the  Religious 
vffairs  of  Foreign  Denominations,  Vol.  xi,  part  1,  1857  :  Imperial  assent  to  the 
ieport  of  the  Ministry  of  National  Education,  28th  November,  1885.) 

ON  PERSONAL.  STATUS  AND  RIGHT  OF  SETTLEMENT  AND  MOVEMENT. 

The  Jews  are  declared  to  be  aliens,  whose  social  rights  are  regulated  by  spe- 
iai  ordinances.     (Note  7,  section  835,  Vol.  ix,  1876.) 

/. — Permanent  residence  within  tlie  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement, 

1  In  the  whole  Russian  Empire  (exclusive  of  the  Kingdom  of  Poland)  the  Jews 
ire  prohibited  from  permanently  residing  or  settUng  anywhere,  except  in  the 
bllowing fifteen  gubernia  :  Bessarabia,  Vilna,  Viteb.-^k,  Voihynia,  Grodno.  Ekate- 
inoslav,  Kovno,  Minsk,  Mohilev,Podolia,  Poltava.  Tauridai except  Sebastopol), 
Kherson  (except  Nicolaiev),  and  Tshernigov,  also  in  the  gubernium  of  Kiev,  ex- 
lusive  of  the  city  of  Kiev.  These  gubernia  are.  therefore,  called  the  Pale  of 
ermanent  Jewish  settlement.     (Sec.  16  of  the  Law  of  Passi.orts,  Vol.  xiv,  1S86.) 

iJews  who  are  merchants  of  the  first  guildf  may  live  in  the  city  of  Kiev,  but 
ily  in  the  Libiedsky  and  Plossky  districts  of  the  town.  {Ibid.,  sec.  17,  Vol.  IV.) 
In  the  towns  Nicolaiev  and  Sebastopol  the  right  of  settlement,  of  carrying  on 
trade,  or  the  business  of  contractor,  or  of  obtaining  house  or  landed  property, 
srranted  only  to  Jewish  merchants  of  either  guild.  (Law  on  Passports,  Art. 
5.1 
Jews  are  prohibited  from  residing  permanently  in  the  western  gubernia  situ- 
;ed  next  the  frontier,  and  also  in  Bessarabia  within  50  verstst  of  the  frontier, 
from  this  rule  arc  excepted  those  Jews  who  were  registered  in  these  localities 
j>efore  27th  October,  lb58.  or  who  possess-d  before  27th  October,  1^58,  house  and 
landed  property  in  these  localities,  although  they  did  not  belong  to  such  com- 
Qunities.     {Ibid.,  sec.  23.) 

11. — Permanent  residence  outside  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement. 

Outside  the  above-mentioned  fifteen  gubernia  only  those  Jews  are  permitted 
'  reside  who  can  be  classed  under  the  following  categories  : 

(1)  Merchants  of  the  first  guild,  both  of  th  >  Russian  Empire  and  of  the  Kiag- 
lom  of  Poland,  who  have  satisfied  the  sj^ecial  conditions  established  by  law. 

(2)  Jevrs  who  iiave  a  diploma  of  doctor  of  medicine  and  surgery,  or  "of  doctor 
if  medicine  :  or  who  have  a  diploma  of  doctor  or  master  of  one  of  the  other  f  ac- 
dties  of  the  university. 

(3)  Jews  who  have  discharged  their  military  duties  in  accordance  with  the  re- 
Tuitinglawand  belong  to  the  reserve  ;  also  those  soldiers  and  non-commissioned 
>fficers  who  have  unlimited  furlough, § 

(4)  Jews  who  have  passed  the  higher  educational  establishments,  inclusive  of 
hose  for  the  study  of  medicine. 


*As  a  matter  of  fact  the  money  is  frequently  used  for  other  purposes  uncon- 
nected with  educational  or  other  wants  of  Jews. 

j  tThe  mone^ai-y  qualification  for  this  guild  is  payment  of  taxes  of  not  less  than 
1,000  rubles  per  annum— of  course,  a  very  exceptionable  condition. 
■  JAbout  33  Pmglish  miles. 

I  This  pj'ivilege  has  now  been  lost  by  the  Jews. 


154    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

(5)  Graduates  in  pharmacj'-,  dentists,  and  surgeons,  also  midwives. 

(6)  Jews  who  are  studying  pharmacy,  surgery,  and  midwifery. 
(Vol.  XIV.  Law  on  Passports,  sec.  17.) 

In  the  gubernium  of  Courland,  as  also  in  Shlok  (Livonia),  only  those  -lews  tn; 
reside  permanently  who  wei-e  registered  there  according  to  the  revision  befo: 
April  13,  1835.  Of  the  Jews  settled  in  Shlok,  only  tliose  shall  be  allowed  permi 
nently  to  reside  in  Riga  who  hai  settled  there  before  December  1,,  j84i.  Til 
settlement  of  Jews  in  Riga,  whether  from  other  gubernia  or  from  Shlok,  is  prl 
hibited.     i  Vol.  xiv.  Law  on  Passports,  sec.  17.) 

•Tews  from  Bokhara  and  Khiva,  as  also  Jews  of  other  Central  Asiatic  domi 
ions,  may  become  Russian  subiects  and  be  registered  in  the  frontier  towns 
the  dist  icts  of  Orenburg  and  Turkestan  ;  but  only  on  condition  that  ihey  belor': 
to  a  merchant  guild,  and  that  the  rights  Ol  othee  Russian  .Jews  be  granted  ther  ' 
(Vol.  IX.  sec.  Uij2,  note,  188G;  vol.  xiv.  Law  on  Passports,  sec.  17.) 

In  th3  military  territory  of  the  Don,  and  in  the  old  districts  of  Rostov  and 
Taganrog,  at  present  incorporated  in  th^  Don  territory,  the  settlement  of  Jev 
is  pi  ohibited."^     (Law  on  Pa-sports,  sec.  17.) 

In  the  Government  of  Staviopcl  and  in  the  transcaucasian  teri-itory,  on 
tho  e  Jevrsare  allowed  to  remain  who  lived  t'^erebt-fore  May  12, 1837,  andform( 
settlements  of  their  own.     (Sec.  27,  Law  on  Passports,  Vol.'^xiv.  1857.)  ; 

J-ws  are  not  permitted  to  enter,  or  to  settle  in.  Siberia.     {Ibid.,  sec.  30,  ISSr 

The  settling  of  Jews  in  Siberia  for  the  purpose  ol  following  agricultural  pir 
suits  is  prohibited.     (Sec.  978,  Vol.  ix,  ;876.) 

Wives  of  Jews  who  have  been  exiled  to  Siberia  are  permitted  to  follow  the 
husbands.  But  the  husbands  of  Jewesses  exiled  to  Siberia  may  not  follow  the 
wives.     (Note  1  to  see.  10.  Law  on  Depoi'tation,  Vol.  xiv,  1857.)' 

Jewish  exiles  inSiberiaare  prohibited  residence  within  a  hundred  verstsfro,. 
the  Chinese  frontier,  and,  in  general,  from  the  frontier  of  all  tt-ibcs  not  unde^ 
the  dominion  of  Russia.     [I hid.,  note  to  sec.  3fJ3,  185(>.)  ! 

Outside  the  places  of  permanent  Jewish  settlement  Jews  mayadoptas  childrel 
in  accordance  with  the  general  laws,  only  such  of  their  coreligionists  as  ba^ 
themselves  a  right  to  reside  in  all  places  of  the  Empire.     (Collection  of  L  i 
188J.  No.  35,  i,ec.  208.) 

Jews  arc  not  permitted  to  dwell  in  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Finland. 

N.  B.— No  s-ech  law  exists  among  the  laws  of  Old  Finland,  which  were  a 
ceptel  by  the  Impei'ial  Governnu-nt  on  annexation,  nor  in  the  '"Collection  ' 
Laws  of  the  C4rand  Duchy  of  Finland,"  issued  annually  byotiicial  order  from  18;'] 
to  1890. 

III. — Temporary  residence  within  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement. 

Only  temporary  residence  of  Jews  in  the  cities  of  Kiev  and  Sebastopol  is  pej 
mitted,  and  only  "for  the  following  purposes:  ' 

(1)  In  order  to  take  possession  of  an  inheritance. 

(2)  In  order  to  establish  legal  claims  on  property  in  courts  of  justice  and 
government  offices. 

(3)  lor  business  transactions  or  anything  connected  with  government  ' 
tract^s :  but  only  if  such  transactions  take  place  in  towns  whei"e  Jews  may  ]i 
manenti^'  dwell. 

I^csides  in  the  above-mentioned  cases  of  residence,  the  Jews  are  permittee 
enter  the  city  of  Kiev  only  under  the  following  circumstances: 

{(i)  For  niiiilary  duty;  (6)  for  business  during  the  fair:  (c)  for  importing  ; 
selling  articles  of  food  in  the  markets  ;md  in  the  harbor :  (r?)  for  transpovi 
passengers  and  forwarding  goods:  {e)  for  purchasing  materials:  (/)  for  del: . 
ir^g  the  products  of  their  own  handicraft;  (ry)  for  using  the  mineral  watei'S  (, 
for  attending  the  hospitals;  (/i)  for  attending  the  educational  establishment'] 
{t)  for  learning  a  handicrait.  '[ 

Whenever  a  Jewish  visitor  of  any  of  the  above  denominations  is  obliged  ij 
remain  in  Kiev  more  than  twenty-four  hours,  the  police  may  give  a  printd 
license,  on  which  a  special  entry  must  be  made  in  case  the  time  is  extended. 

*This  includes  a  district  of  great  imj^ortance,  hitherto  largely  populated  l 
Jews  engaged  in  commerce,  who  had  been  always  allowed  to  settle  there,  beiii 
a  ])art  of  Ekaterinoslav  gubernium,  and  thus  in  the  Pale  of  settlement,  but  d4 
tached  therefrom  on  May  19, 1887.  ^ 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    155 

Such  extension  of  time  is  limited  thus :  By  tha  expiration  of  the  time  of  mili- 
ary duty  :  by  the  termination  of  the  fair ;  by  the  market  days.  For  carmen,  for 
he  purchase  of  materials,  and  for  the  settlement  of  accounts  for  work,  by  afort- 
lig-ht.  For  invalids,  by  the  completion  of  the  course  of  mineral  waters  or  hos- 
pital atts'udance;  For  students,  by  the  termination  of  the  course  of  study.  For 
apprentices,  by  the  termination  of  the  time  fixed  for  the  l^aiming  of  a  handi- 
;raft;  and  for  those  who  arrive  upon  other  business,  by  a  maximum  of  six  weeks, 
those  Jews  who  are  temporarily  in  Kiev,  being  neith.er  patients  drinking-  the 
vaters,  nor  being  the  wives  or  children  of  soldiers  on  active  service,  nor  per- 
ons  learning  a  handicraft,  are  only  permitted  a  temporary  residence  in  the 
^ibeclsky  and  Plossky  districts  of  the  town. 

Jews  from  other  towns  who  possess  factories,  or  are  merchants  of  one  of  the 
wo  guilds,  are  permitted  to  enter  Sebastopol  only  for  the  purpose  of  doing  bus- 
ness  at  the  fairs,  or,  if  they  are  contractors,  for  the  supply  of  the  Government 
vith  goods  for  that  town:  but  for  the  sake  of  carrying  on  such  business  they 
.re  not  pei-mitted  to  employ  Jews  except  those  who  are  their  servants  or  clerks, 
evvs  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  Sebastopol,  and  in  other  towns  of  the  pale  of 
ewish  s  jttlement.  are  permitted  to  enter  Sebastopol  only  for  business  on  the 
^^tablished  market  days.  Young  Jews  may  only  come  to  Sebastopol  for  the 
ake  of  learning  a  handicraft.     (Sec.  284,  Law  on  Passports,  Vol.  xiv,  1886.) 

In  the  gubernia  of  Vitebsk  and  ISIohilev,  Jews  are  only  p-f^rmitted  to  reside  in 
illages  by  special  license,  but  they  may  not  settle  as  ordinary  inhabitants. 
i6?-d.,  Sec.  16.j 

In  the  gubernia  of  Vitebsk  and  Mohilev,  Jews  are  allowed  to  work  in  the  mak- 
ng  of  roads  in  the  settlements,  but  only  on  the  condition  that,  as  soon  as  their 
vork  is  completed,  they  have  no  longer  a  right  to  reside  there.  The  same  con- 
litions  must  be  observed  in  Courland  in  respect  of  Jews  from  the  gubernium  of 
<;ovno,  engaged  in  similar  work.     {Ibid.,  sees.  20,  21,  1857.) 

IV. — Temiiorary  residence  oidside  the  Pale  of  Jeiuish  settlement. 

Temporary  residence  outside  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement  is  permitted  to 
jhe  Jews  only  under  the  following  circumstances: 

(1)  For  the  purpose  o'  taking  possession  of  an  inheritance. 

(2)  For  the  purpose  of  establishing  legal  claims  on  proi)erty  in  courts  of  jus- 
ice  and  in  government  ottices. 

{'4)  For  business  transactions,  and  for  everything  connected  with  government 
iontracts:  but  only  if  such  contracts  take  place  in  towns  where  Jews  may  per- 
nancntly  dwell.  In  all  such  cases  the  police  are  authorized  to  permit  the  Jews 
:o  remain,  but  for  no  longer  than  six  weeks.  The  authorities  of  such  gubernia 
jan  not  prolong  their  stay  beyond  two  months  unless  they  have  obtained  permis- 
sion from  the  higher  authorities.     (Sec.  'M'S,  Law  on  Passports,  Vol.  xiv,  1886.) 

Jewii-h  mechanics,  distill;-rs,  and  brewers,  and  generally  mjister  artisans  and 
their  journeymen,  may  reside  outside  of  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement,  but,  in 
prder  to  obtain  their  passport  (which  is  to  be  renewed  periodically)  they  must 
produce  a  certificate  of  their  calling  in  accordance  with  the  rules  established  by 
law  for  that  purpose.  Young  Jews  under  18  years  of  age  are  permitted  to  live 
in  places  outside  of  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement,  for  the  purpose  of  learning  a 
iiandicraft,  but  only  for  a  period  of  not  more  than  five  j'^ears.  [Ibid..,  note  'S  to 
sec.  283.)"*' 

Jewish  cutters  and  tailors  may  live  in  places  where  regiments  are  located,  or 
(where  military  training  colleges  exist,  but  only  until  the  term  of  their  contract 
[with  the  military  authorities  has  expired.     {Urid.,  tec.  11),  1857.) 

Jewish  artisans  may  reside  in  the  fortress  towns  on  the  eastern  shore  of  the 
Black  Sea  and  in  the  towns  of  Temruk  and  Such',  m -Kale:  also  on  the  north- 

Ejstern  shore  of  the  Caspian  Sea:  and  in  the  town  of  Petrofsk:  but  only  terapo- 
rily,  and  in  such  manner  that  the  field  of  their  trade  activity  does  not  extend 
yond  the  boundaries  of  these  towns.     {Ibid.,  sec.  28,  1886.) 
Jewish  carmen,  who  have  brought  goods  to  places  outside  the  Pale  of  Jewish 

"  In  the  body  of  the  report  several  cases  are  cited  expelling  artisans  in  direct 
conflict  with  above  privilege.  We  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  these  laws  are 
brought  down  only  to  the  year  1890,  since  which  time  additional  laws  and  regu- 
lations have  been  promulgated  all  in  the  direction  of  greater  restrictions.  In 
several  cases  referred  to,  renewal  of  permission  to  stay  was  granted  r.nd  stami)ed 
on  passports,  and  within  a  short  time  thereaiter  perem])tory  orders  to  leave 
within  twenty-four  hours  were  indorsed  on  the  same  documents. 


1 


156    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

settlement,  are  not  permitted  to  remain  in  such  places  longer  than  a  fortnigb 
iIhid.,seG.  285,1857.) 

Jewish  merchants  of  the  first  guild,  not  yet  qualified  to  settle  outside  the  pa 
are  i:>ermitted  to  come  personally,  or  to  send  their  accredited  agents,  to  the  ca 
itals  and  other  towns  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  goods  ;  they  may  do  so  twi 
a  year,  on  condition,  however,  that  their  total  stay  do  not  exceed  six  months 
the  year.  Such  merchants  may  visit  th^  fairs  at  Nijni-Novgorod,  Irbit,  Charko 
and  Summi,  both  for  buying  and  for  selling  wholesale. 

Jewish  merchants  of  the  second  guild  are  permitted  to  come  personally,  or 
send  their  accredited  agents,  to  the  capitals  and  other  towns,  for  the  purpose 
purchasing  goods,  only  once  a  year  for  two  months. 

Merchants  of  both  guilds  are  permitted  to  visit  the  Christmas  and  summi 
fairs  in  Kiev,  and  carry  on  business  there,  both  wholesale  and  retail,  whether 
Russian  or  foreign  commodities.  Their  stay  must  terminate  with  the  termin 
tion  of  the  fair. 

Jews  of  the  gubernia  of  the  Kingdom  of  Poland  may  as  a  rule  visit  the  gube 
nia  within  the  pale  of  Jewish  settlement;  but  only  guild  merchants  may  vis 
the  other  gubernia  of  the  empire  and  they  only  once  a  year,  and  then  only  f( 
two  months,  for  the  purpose  of  doing  business,  of  contracting  with  the  Gover:' 
ment  for  the  supply  of  goods,  but  only  for  such  places  where  Jews  may  perm, 
nently  reside;  and  on  condition  that  in  case  such  transactions  take  place  in  tl 
interior  provinces  of  the  empii-e,  and  arc  being  managed  by  themselves,  no  Jev 
be  employed  by  them.     [Ibid.,  sec.  289, 1886.) 

Jewish  tradesmen  who  are  settlers  of  old  standing  in  the  transcaucasian  te 
ritory  may  visit  Astrachan  to  sell  "  Marena"  dye,  but  only  twice  a  year,  ac 
only  for  an  aggregate  of  six  months  in  any  one  year.     {Ibid..,  sec.  290,  1857.) 

V. — On  passports. 

Jews  within  the  pale  of  Jewish  settlement  are  only  permitted  to  dwell  outsiflr 
the  towns  in  which  they  have  been  registered  according  to  the  revision,  if  pp«ji 
vided  with  passports.     (Sec.  18,  Law  on  Passports,  Vol.  xiv,  1857.)  '': 

Jews  can  obtain  licnses  for  traveling  only  into  those  gubernia  where  Je^^ 
have  the  right  of  permanent  settlement.     [Ibid.,  sec.  121.)  I 

Ti'iiveling  within  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement  is  permitted  to  Jews,  provide^ 
th^y  have  a  ]  as^port  in  which  it  is  observed  that  such  passport  is  only  valid  i^^ 
places  set  aside  for  their  permanent  residence;  and  in  the  certificates  issued  t 
merchants  it  is  indispensable  that  the  religious  persuasion  of  their  holders  b 
mentioned.  [Ibid.,  sec.  286, 1889;  Circular  of  the  Minister  of  the  Interior,  187H 
June  24,  No.  73.) 

Immediately  on  the  arrival  of  Jews  in  the  capitals  Ihe  police  are  required  t 
examine  their  passports  and  to  inquire  into  their  right  of  visiting  such  capita 
Those  who  have  no  right  to  visit  the  capitals  are  to  be  immediately  sent  bac 
to  their  places  of  residence.     (Ibid...  sec.  294,  1857.) 

Jews  who  do  not  own  land  abroad  can  not  receive  yearly  license  to  go  abroad 

N.B. — The  laws  laid  down  under  the  preceding  five  chapters  deprive  5. 000,00 
Jews  of  one  of  the  most  essential  personal  rights,  enjoyednotonly  by  all  Russia: 
subjects,  Christian,  Mahomniedan  or  heathen,  without  distinction,  but  also  b 
fo-eigners,  namely,  the  right  of  residing  anywhere,  and  of  free  movemen 
tliroughout  the  Empire.  At  the  present  time  the  whole  mass',of  Russian  Jew? 
with  only  a  few  exceptions,  arc  caged  a.nd  croAvdcd  in  the  narrow  continc  s  of  th 
territory  which  is  called  "the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement:"  and  even  there  ex 
clusively  in  towns.  In  all  civilized  states  the  right  of  settlement  in  any  plac 
is  recognized  to  be  one  of  the  most  essential  and  natural  laws  of  every  subject 
In  time  of  peace,  foreigners  even  enjoy  that  right.  The  deprivation  of  such  : 
right  is  regarded,  even  by  the  Russian  legislation  (sees.  30-82, 48,  49.  51  of  the  LaT 
of  Punishment.  1885),  as  a  punishment  inllicted  for  various  criminal  offenses,  am 
then  only  for  a  period  fixed  by  sentence  in  a  court  of  justice. 

ON  THE  RIGHTS  OF  PROPERTY. 

[On  the  acquisition  of  property  ;  on  the  mortgaging  and  leasing  of  the  same ;  and  on  farm; , 

and  their  management.!  \ 


Landed  estates,  including  also  land  which  has  been  apportioned  to  peasants  foi 
their  permament  use,  can  not  be  sold  to  Jews.  (Vol.  ix,  Laws  on  Status,  Supp 
I.  to  sec.  330  (note) ;  sec.  3, 1887.) 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    157 

Land,  and  other  appurtenances  belong-ing  to  an  estate,  and  which  are  not  part 
•f  allotments  made  to  peasants  on  their  emancipation,  may  not  be  sold  to  Jews. 
Ibid.,  sec.  4;  Supp.  ibid.) 
Estates  in  the  Western  and  Baltic  provinces,  formerly  belonging-  to  the 
esuits,  and  which  have  to  be  sold  by  auction  to  satisfy  the  debts  ef  their  own- 
rs,  can  not  be  bought  by  Jews.  (Vol.  viii,  Law  on  the  Administration  of 
:;rown  Property  in  the  Western  and  Baltic  Governments ;  Supp.  to  sec.  1  (note 
),  sec.  7.) 

Jews  are  not  admitted  to  the  public  auctions  of  crown  lands.  [Ibid,,  Supp.  to 
ec.  2  (note  2),  sec.  6.) 

Jews  are  not  admitted  to  attend  the  public  auctions  of  property  mortgaged  to 
anks  and  forfeited  for  nonpayment.  (VoL  xiii,  Law  of  Common  Aid,  Supp. 
J  sec.  165  (note  2),  sec.  3,  185  u) 

Jews  are  not  admitted  to  public  auctions  of  allotments  of  land  forfeited  by 
ea:;ants  who  have  made  default  in  payment  of  serfdom  commutation  tax,  or 
,tate  land  tribute,  or,  in  Bessarabia,  their  land  rate.  (Rules  about  the  Peas- 
ntry.  Special  Supp.  to  Vol.  ix  ;  Rules  on  Distress,  sees.  135-138  ;  Rules  on  Peas- 
nts  belonging  to  the  State,  Supp.  to  sec.  15  (note  1),  sec.  7  :  Rules  about  the 
Tsarani*'  [peasants  in  Bessarabia],  sec.  95;  sec.  5.) 

All  Jews,  without  exception,  are  prohibited  from  purchasing  landed  property 
•om  landowners  or  peasants  in  the  nine  Western  gubernia.  (Note  3  to  sec.  959, 
^ol.  IX,  Law  on  Status,  IS^H) 

N.  B.— The  m  aning  of  the  foregoing  seven  laws  is  that  Jews  are  not  allowed 
3  purchase  landed  esiate  anywhere. 

Throughout  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement  the  issuing  of  title  deeds  of  landed 
I-  house  property  and  mortgages  in  the  name  of  Jews  is  sus]iended,  as  also  the 
'gistration  of  Jews  as  lessees  of  landed  estate,  situated  outside  the  precincts  of 
jwns  and  townlets,  and  also  the  issue  of  powers  of  attorney  enabling  Jews  to 
?t  as  agents  for  the  managing  and  disposing  of  such  property.*  {Ibid.,  sec.  2; 
ote4  to  sec.  959.) 

No  Jews,  even  those  who  are  merchants  of  the  first  guild,  may  purchase  landed 
r  house  property  in  any  part  of  the  town  of  Kiev.  Only  those  merchants  of  the 
rst  guild  are  excepted  who.  before  being  registered  as  merchants  at  Kiev,  have 
3en  during  five  years  merchants  of  the  first  guild  in  one  of  the  towns  within 
le  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement.  (Resolution  of  the  General  Meeting  of  the  De- 
artment  of  Cassation  and  of  the  First  and  the  Second  Department  of  the  Im- 
3rial  Senate,  3d  November,  1886.) 

Jews  possessing  a  diploma  of  doctor  of  medicine  and  of  surgery,  or  who  have 
diploma  of  doctor,  master,  or  ordinary  lirst-class  diploma  in  one  of  the  other 
.culties  of  the  University,  do  not  transfer  to  their  wives  or  their  children  their 
ghtof  acquiring  house  property  outside  the  pale  of  Jewish  settlement.  (Reso- 
ition  of  the  General  Meeting  of  the  First  Department  and  the  Department  of 
assation  of  the  Imperial  Senate,  1889,  No.  25.) 

With  the  exception  of  those  who  have  a  scientific  university  degree,  all  Jews 
V  prohibited  from  obtaining,  or  renting,  or  farming  landed  i)roperty  in  the 
ilitary  territory  of  the  Don,  as  also  in  the  districts  formerly  belonging  to 
ostov  and  to  the  city  of  Taganrog,  but  at  present  included  in  the  Don  terri- 
•ry.  (Vol.  XIV,  Law  on  Passports,  sec.  17  ;  Vol.  Vlll,  1886,  and  note  to  that  see- 
on,  1887.) 

Jews  are  prohibited  from  obtaining  landed  property  of  any  kind  m  any  part 
the  Baltic  Governments.     (1869,  30  May  (47152);  imperial  ukase  promulgated 
/  the  senate  of  the  ministry  of  the  interior;  1866,  18  Feb.  (43031),  imperial  as- 
•nt  to  law  of  the  Baltic  committee.) 

In  the  Baltic  provinces  Jews  can  not  lend  money  on  the  security  of  house  or 
uded  property  of  any  kind,  either  in  the  country  or  in  the  towns.     (C;)llection 
Local  Laws  of   the  Baltic  Governments,  part  ill,  book  ii,  sees.  1504,  1512, 
■<)4.) 

The  acquisition  of  land  or  house  property  in  Turkestan  is  prohibited  to  Jews 
)t  domiciled  there.  Jews  born  in  the  countries  of  Central  Asia  which  are  sit- 
ited  in  the  vicinity  of  Turkestan  are  subject  to  the  common  law  relating  to 
reign  Jews.  (Vol.  IX,  Law  on  Status,  sec.  1003,  note  3,  1887;  Collection  of 
:iws,  1889,  No.  76,  sec.  666.) 

*This  is  one  of  the  "  May  Laws  "  of  1882,  and  it  practically  annuls  all  the  lim- 
3d  powers  of  acquisition  of  landed  and  house  property  conferred  by  the  other 
ws  except  only  in  towns  within  the  Pale. 

II.  Ex.  37 16 


158    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Land  and  house  property  which  has  been  obtained  by  Jews  by  inheritan 
outside  those  places  where  they  are  permitted  to  possess  such  property  must 
sold  by  them  in  the  course  of  six  months.     {Ibid.,  sec.  960,  1886. )  '. 

The  .Jews  are  prohibited  from  renting  mills  and  factories  from  the  Crown 
places  where  they  are  not  allowed  to  reside.  They  are  also  prohibited  from  i 
tailing  intoxicating  liquors  on  Crown  iands,  even  in  places  where  they  are  s 
lowed  permanently  to  reside,  i.  e.,  in  the  Pale  of  Settlement.  (Vol.  Vlll,  part 
Law  on  Crown  Rents,  sec.  22,  1876,  and  note  to  the  same,  1886.) 

The  leaseholder  of  an  estate  belonging  to  the  Crown,  and  situated  in  the  We; 
em  and  Baltic  Governments,  may  not  sublet  a  C(  untry  inn  to  a  Jew.  [Ibii 
Law  on  Crown  Property  in  the  Western  and  Baltic  Government,  sec.  3.5,  187( 

Persons  who  have  received  temporary  grants  of  Crown  revenues  in  the  Wes 
ern  and  Baltic  Governments  according  to  the  privileges  of  1775,  and  by  imp 
rial  ukases,  are  prohibited  from  assigning  their  interests  therein  to  Je^n 
(Vol.  VIII,  part  I,  Law  on  Crown  Property  in  the  Western  and  Baltic  Govei 
mcnts;  Supp.  to  sec.  2,  note  3,  sec.  18.) 

Jews  are  prohibited  from  lx}ing  managers  or  stewards  of  inhabited  estate 
and  from  farming  from  the  landowners  the  incomes  they  derive  from  the  pe? 
ants.     (Vol.  IX,  sec.  961,  1886.) 

In  Courland,  Jews  may  not  farm  the  rents  due  by  the  peasants  to  the  Ian 
owners.  They  arc  also  prohibited  from  renting  inns  and  public  houses  in  tow 
lets  Mnd  villages.  (Collection  of  Local  Laws  of  the  Baltic  Governments,  part 
sec.  1401,  No.  3,  p.  iii.  sec.  4041.) 

In  i)laces  where  Jews  may  not  permanently  reside,  they  may  not  be  admitt 
to  the  public  auctions  where  chattels  belonging  to  the  Crown  are  bjing  sol 
(Vol.  X,  sec.  1500,  1887.)  "         • 

N.  B. — Under  the  laws  cited  in  the  preceding  heading,  the  Jews,  with  aft 
exceptions,  are  deprived  of  every  right  to  acquire  or  hold  house  or  lauded  esta 
outside  the  tovvns  within  the  Pale  of  Settlement.    And  besides  these  enactmen 
the  code  of  laws  contains  old  regulations  which  do  allow  Jews  to  acquire  or  hC| 
such  property,  to  rent  land,  farm  rents,  and  like  obligations  appertaining 
land,  to  possess  distilleries,  to  rent  or  to  manage  mills  and  factories.     (Vol.  I 
Law  or  Status,  sees.  959,  961.  and  Supp.  9(53.)     These  regulations  have  not  be^ 
repealed  and  remain  on   the  statute  books,  and  serve  only  to  gloss  over  t  • 
Jewish  disabilities.     Asa  matter  of  fact,  they  have  been  rendered  absolute 
nugatory  by  the  May  laws,  being  practically  and  legally  repealed  by  them. 

ON  AGRICULTURAL  PURSUITS  AND  HUSBANDRY. 

The  application  of  a  part  of  the  income  derived  from  the  box  tax  to  the  trai 
ing  of  Jews  as  agriculturists  is  abolished. 

The  Jewish  colonization  fund,  which  was  kept  on  deposit  at  the  state  treasu 
by  the  minister  of  Crown  lands,  and  at  the  Odessa  treasury  by  the  Cherso. 
Bessarabia  sup.n*intendent  of  Crown  lands,  has  been  transferred  to  the  funds 
the  imperial  treasury. 

Jews  are  prohibited  from  settling  in  Siberia  for  the  purpose  of  becoming  ag: 
culturists.  (Vol.  il,  part  2,  Position  of  Aliens,  sec.  833,  note:  1886,  note  2  tosc 
1;  Supp.  to  sec.  281:  Law  on  Taxes,  Vol.  v,  1857;  Collection  of  Regulations,  18it 
No.  (52,  sec.  553,  vol.  ix:  Laws  on  Status,  sec.  978.)  1 

Acquisition  or  renting  of  rural  property  of  any  kind,  as  well  as  the  settleme 
outside  of  towns,  being  prohibited  to  Jews,  agricultural  pursuits  are  render 
im])0ssible  to  them.  As  an  exception  to  the  rule,  some  agricultural  coloni 
which  were  established  in  certain  places  chosen  by  the  Government  in  t. 
reigns  of  Alexander  I  and  Nicholas  still  exist,  but  no  new  colonies  are  permitt 
to  be  established. 

ON  COMMERCLA.L  RIGHTS. 

Trading  in  the  gubernia  outside  the  Pale  of  Settlement  without  restriction 
allowed  only  to  Jews  who  have  acquired  the  position  of  a  merchant  of  the  fii 
guild  while  within  the  fifteen  gubernia  of  the  pale. 

In  order  to  become  a  merchant  of  the  first  guild  in  the  above  gubernia,  a 
must  have  been  previously  a  merchant  of  the  first  guild  in  the  Pale  of  S>. 
ment  for  live  years. 

The  Jew  who  has  become  a  merchant  of  the  first  guild  and  settles  outside  : 
Pale  of  Settlement,  forfeits  his  rights,  and  is  obliged  to  return  into  the  Pftle, 


ENFOECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    159 

le  cease  to  pay  the  fees  of  the  first  guild,  unless  he  has  paid  the  fees  for  at 
east  ten  years.     (Vol.  XIV.,  Statute  on  Passports,  sec.  17  ;  1,  contin.  18S6.) 

Jewish  merchants  of  the  first  guild,  belonging  to  the  Pale  of  Settlement,  aro 
illowed  to  visit  the  capitals  and  the  other  towns  outside  the  Pale,  for  pur- 
chasing goods,  only  twice  a  year,  and  provided  that  both  visits  should  not  to- 
'ether  exceed  six  months.     (Vol.  xiv,  Statute  on  Passports,  sec.  283,  2,  contin. 

In  Siberia  merchant  licenses  are  given  only  to  the  following  categories  of 
ews:  (1)  To  the  children  of  Jewish  convicts  who  came  there  with  their  par- 
nts  or  who  were  born  there  ;  (2)  to  Jewish  convicts  who  have  been  condemned 
1  deportation  without  loss  of  civil  rights.  (Vol.  IX.,  Supp.  to  the  sec.  97-4  (note), 
,  contin.  ed.  1887.) 

N.  B. — It  follows,  therefore,  that  Jewish  criminals  and  their  sons  are  the  only 
ews  who  can  obtain  a  license  to  trade  in  Siberia,  certain  parts  of  which  are  ex- 
remely  prosperous  and  full  of  natui  al  resources. 

Jews  of  the  Western  gubernia,  not  belonging  to  any  guild,  may  not  take  any 
lovernment  contract  or  farm  royalties,  nor  may  they  sell  wholesale  by  powers 
i  attorney  anything  belonging  to  a  member  of  the  nobility,  nor  catry  on  busi- 
ess  within  the  Empire  and  beyond  the  frontier,  even  if  it  l^e  only  to  forward 
ad  to  sell  actual  land  produce.  (Vol.  ix.  Law  on  Status,  Supp.  to  sec.  974; 
liote  2),  sec.  7,  1887.) 
Jewish  merchants  of  the  first  guild,  in  the  Pale  of  Settlement,  may  receive 
oodis  directly  from  the  capitals  and  from  the  ports,  but  only  wholesale,  and 
nly  through  firms  residing  at  those  places,  or  by  means  of  correspondence  with 
le  manulacturei-s.  Jewish  merchants  of  the  first  guild  are  prohibited  from 
nploying  Jews  in  the  management  or  superintendence  of  contracts  concluded 
V  them  in  the  interior  provinces. 

The  sale  of  products  of  gubernia  within  the  Pale  of  Jewish  settlement  may 
3  elTect;:d  by  Jewish  merchants  of  the  pale  of  the  first  guild,  in  the  capitals 
id  ports,  but  only  wholesale,  and  with  the  help  of  Christian  employes,  or  local 
erchants,  or  by  mercantile  firms,  of  by  means  ot  correspondence  with  the  manu- 
cturers.  But  such  Jews  are  forbidden  personally  to  sell  goods  in  the  capitals 
id  ports,  or  to  open  shops  at  these  places,  under  pain  of  immediate  expulsion 
id  confiscation  of  their  goods. 

Within  the  Pale  of  .Jewish  Settlement,  Jewish  merchants  of  the  first  guild 
ay,  by  ord  r  of  Christians  residing  in  other  gubernia,  clear  goods  from  the 
istom-house  which  their  owners  would  be  entitled  to  receive  through  the  cus- 
'm-house  situated  in  the  pale. 

Such  .Jews  are  however  prohibited  from  selling  their  own  goods  which  they 
ive  to  receive  and  which  have  to  pass  through  the  same  custom-houses,  out- 
de  the  Pale  of  Jewish  Settlement,  even  though  they  employ  Christians  for  the 
irpose. 

Jewish  merchants  of  the  first  guild,  belonging  to  the  pale,  may  sell  foreign 
)ods  at  the  fairs  of  Charkov,  and  Summi,  but  only  wholesale.  At  other  fairs 
ey  may  not  sell  foreign  goods,  whether  on  their  own  account  or  as  consignees. 
hid.,  sec.  2.) 

Foreign  goods,  which  require  to  be  sealed  by  the  custom-house  officers  may 
)t  be  brought  to  the  fairs  by  Jewish  manufacturers,  viz,  neither  to  Nijni-Nov- 
)rod,  Irbit,  Charkov,  nor  Summi;  although  such  goods  may  have  undergone  a 
■rtain  manufacturing  process  at  their  factories,  e.  g.,  by  dyeing,  etc.     [Ibid., 

Jews  visitin-T  places  where  they  are  only  allowed  to  reside  temporarily  for 

siness  transactions,  may  not  during  their  visit  sell  goods  in  a  house  or  by 

Lwking  them  in  the  street,  and  any  infraction  will  be  punished  by  law,     [Ibid., 

c.  5.) 

Jews  arc  prohibited  from  acting  as  commission  agents  of  any  foreign  firm  for 
ending  goods  from  the  custom-houses  at  the  frontier  to  places  where  Jews  may 
U  permanently  reside.     [Ibid.,  sec.  Q.) 

The  custom-house  officers  may  not  aocept  a  declaration  from  Jews,  or  from 
leir  agents  or  employes,  nor  may  they  issue  a  license  for  the  passing  of  goods 
Uonging  to  Jews  destined  for  the  custom-houses  of  gubernia  outside  the  pale 
(sstilement.     (Vol.  VI.  Law^  of  the  Customs,  sec.  954,  1886.) 

Everyone  may  keep  his  books  in  whatever  language  he  likes,  except  the  .Jews, 
'i.^y  are  ob'iged  to  use  either  Kusssian  or  the  language  in  business  use  at  the 
I  xe  where  they  live,  but  in  no  case  Hebrew.  (Vol.  IX,  Law  on  Status,  sec.  955; 
')1.  XI,  part  2,  Commercial  Law,  sec.  610,  1887.) 

Jews  can  not  act  as  agents  for  contractors  for  delivery  and  supply  of  goods  in 


160    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

any  place  where  they  themselves  have  no  right  to  be  contractors  for  the  < 
livery  and  supply  of  goods.     (Vol.  X,  Civil  Law  on  Delivery  and  Supply  for  1 

Cro?vn,  sec.  7.  note.) 

In  places  of  permanent  Jewish  settlement  Jews  are  prohibited  from  carryi 
on  business  on  Sundays,  and  on  the  principal  Christian  holidays.  (Vol.  ix,"s 
939,  notes  4  and  3:  Vol.xiv,  On  Preveijtion  of  Crimes,  sec.  16,  note.) 

N.  B. — One  of  the  May  laws.  This  is  a  gi-eat  hardship  in  those  towns  wht 
the  Jews  form  the  great  bulk  of  the  population.  In  many  towns  Sunday  is  t 
legal  and  customary  market  day.  There  is  no  restriction  to  the  Sunday  tr; 
ing  of  Ivlahommedans  and  other  non-Christians. 

Jewish  merchants  of  the  first  guild  who,  observing  the  conditions  establish 
by  law,  settle  in  places  outside  the  Pale  of  Jewish  Settlement  may  take  w: 
them  Jewish  clerks  and  domestic  servants,  that  is  to  say.  in  both  the  capit 
as  many  as  the  local  governor  and  the  governor-general  will  allow:  in  the  otl 
cities  of  the  Empire  not  move  than  one  Jewish  clerk  or  employe,  and  not  m( 
than  four  servants  for  every  family.  (Vol.  xiv.  Law  on  Passports,  art.  17,  sec; 
188(>. 

Jews  who  hold  a  university  diploma  of  a  scientific  degree,  and  who  enjoy 
law  the  right  of  residing  in  any  place  in  the  Empire  may  (for  the  purpose 
carrying  on  business  and  ir.dustrial  pursuits),  during  the  time  of  their  resider 
outside  the  pale  of  Jewish  settlem?nts  have  with  them  besides  the  members 
their  families,  domestic  servants  from  among  their  coreligionists,  but  not  m( 
than  two.  Such  of  them  as  become  merchants  of  the  second  guild  may,  besid 
have  a  clerk  or  employe  of  th-ir  own  faith,     (fbid.,  sec.  2.) 

Shares  in  the  company  of  the  "  Upper  and  Middle  Market  Rows,"  in  the  Kra 
noi  Square  in  Moscow,  may  not  be  transferred  to  Jews,  even  if  they  become  ci 
verts  to  orthodoxy,  becausj  only  persons  born  Christian  are  allowed  to  obt; 
such  shares.     (Collections  of  llcgulations,  1890,  No.  82,  sec.  817,  818.) 

Jews  may  not  possess  sharps  in  the  joint  slock  company  for  the  manufacti 
of  suga»-  Ko''delefka,in  the  districtof  Vinitza,  in  the  government  Podolia;  tl 
may  not  be  members  of  the  board  of  tha*  company,  nor  be  appointed  totheofl 
of  manager  or  trustee.  (Collection  of  Regulations,  1890,  No.  89,  sec.  889;  sec 
note;  sec.  23,  notes  1  and  2.) 

ON  THE  TRADE  IN  INTOXICANTS. 

Jews  may  deal  in  intoxicants  only  in  places  where  they  are  allowed  to  res 
permanently,  but  not  otherwise  than  in  their  own  houses.     Jewish  potmen  n 
be  employed,  but  only  in  public-houses  belonging  to  Jews.     (Law  on  the  Tax  ' 
Spirits,  1887,  sec.  ;i6(i.) 

Outside  the  boundary  of  towns  and  townlets,  Jews  may  carry  on  business 
spirits,  but  only  in  houses  which  are  their  own  property,  built  on  ground   . 
onging  to  them,  and  acquired  by  them  before  3d  iVIay,  1882.     But  Jews  mayij 
deal  in  spirits  in  houses  and  on  ground  belonging  to  them  only  for  life,  or  of  wh.| 
they  have  only  a  lease,     {[hid.,  sec.  3o3,  notj  3.)  H 

The  brewing  of  beer  and  mead  for  their  own  domestic  use  is  permitted  in  si- 
Jewish  -settlements  as  contain  not  fewer  than  teahouses.     ( Ibid.,  sec.  108,  note 

Retired  soldiers  and  noncommissioned  officers  of  the  Jewish  faith,  settled 
places  outside  the  Pale  of  Jewish  Settlement,  in  accordance  with  the  old  pr  j 
liege,  shall  not  enjoy  the  right  to  deal  in  spirits  in  such  places.  [Ihid.,  sec.  3' 
notel.) 

In  the  gubernia  of  the  Kingdom  of  Poland,  Jews  are  psrmitted  to  retail  spir 
but  only  in  towns  and  townlets,  and  in  such  villages  as  are  inhabited  by  J€  -; 
only.     (/6kZ.,  sec.  363,  note  2.)  ! 

Jews  who  have  the  right  to  reside  permanently  in  Siberia  may  not  carry ' 
business  there  in  intoxicants.     {Ibid.,  sec.  363,  note  4.)  | 

Jews  who  have  i-emoved  to  Turkestan  from  the  interior  gubernia  of  the  E  ■ 
pirear  3  prohibited  from  manufacturing  and  dealing  in  intoxicants  in  Turkest 
'  (Ibid.,  sec.  102,  noto  2;  sec.  363,  note  5,  1889.) 

The  clauses  of  the  law  forbidding  the  opening  of  establishments  for  retail: , 
beer  and  spirits  in  the  vicinity  of  churches,  houses  of  prayer,  mosques,  e  i 
do  not  apply  to  the  vicinity  of  Jevdsh  synagogues  and  houses  of  prayer,  [lb  . 
S2CS.  414,  498,  and  499.) 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    161 

ON  INDUSTRIAL  PURSUITS. 

Jews  are  not  permitted  to  occupy  themselves  in  gold  mining-  in  places  where 
,hey  are  prohibited  to  reside  permanently.  (Vol.  Vli,  Law  on  Private  Gold  Min- 
ng,  sec.  30,  note  1.) 

Jews  not  being  allowed  to  occupy  themselves  in  gold  mining  can  not  be  agents 
or  others  in  that  industry,     ilhid.,  sec.  31.) 

In  those  places  where  trade  guilds  exist,  plasterers,  bricklayers,  masons,  quarry- 
nen,  carpenters,  and  paviors,  as  also  servants,  are  exempt  from  belonging  to 
uch  guilds,  but  not  if  they  belong  to  the  Jewish  faith.  (Vol.  XI,  Law  on  Indus- 
rial  Professions,  1887,  sec.  285.) 

In  places  of  permanent  Jewish  residence  Jews  can  not  ba  elected  as  masters  of 
rade  guilds.     {Ibid.,  sec.  30G,  note.) 

In  the  committee  of  trade  guilds,  consisting  of  Christians  and  Jews,  the  master 
md  vice-master  must  be  non-Jews.     {Ibid.,  sees.  338  and  474.) 

In  places  of  the  Pale,  the  governing  body  of  such  guilds  are  obliged  to  take 
lote  of  all  Jews  as  have  joined  the  guild,  so  that  those  Jews  may  be  expelled 
rom  the  guild  who  have  not  followed  their  calling  during  six  months,  without 
lufficient  caus3.     {Ibid.,  sec.  34(3.) 

Jewish  workingmen  are  allowed  to  have  Christian  apprentices  only  when  at 
east  one  of  their  foremen  is  a  Christian,  and  when  they  have  obtained  a  spe- 
;ial  authorization  from  the  committee  of  the  guild.     {Ibid.,  note  to  Art.  390.) 

Jewish  artisans  residing  outside  of  the  Pale  of  Settlement  may  sell  only  the 
)roducls  of  their  own  work ;  a  license  of  a  guild  merchant  obtained  by  these 
Tews  does  not  give  them  the  right  of  selling  articles  not  of  their  manufacture. 
Md.,  Art.  103,  Resolution  of  Senate,  1874,  No.  73L) 

Jewish  photographers  are  not  permitted  to  open  photographic  establishments 
)utside  the  Pale  of  ];ermanent  Settlement,  nor  to  enjoy  as  artisans  the  right  of 
■esiding  there.  (Circular  of  the  minister  of  the  interior,  1875,  April  3,  No. 
395.) 

ON  CIVIL  SERVICE. 

It  is  prohibited  to  receive  Jews  into  the  civil  service,  except  those  of  the  fol- 
owing  categories  : 

(1)  Jews  who  have  the  scientific  degree  of  doctor  or  master,  or  the  first-class 
iniversity  diploma,  may  be  admitted  in  any  part  of  the  empire.  (On  Civil  Serv- 
ce,  Vol.  Ill,  Art.  7,  40.) 

(2)  Jews  who  have  a  diploma  of  a  physician  of  the  second  class  are  admitted 
nto  the  public  medical  service  only  within  the  Pale  of  Settlement.  Outside  of 
he  Pale  they  are  admitted  only  in  the  department  of  the  ministry  of  education, 
»nd  of  the  ministry  of  the  interior,  but  not  in  St.  Petersburg  or  Moscow,  or  in 
heir  respective  provinc  s.     ( Ibid.,  Art.  57.)* 

(3)  In  the  civil  service  of  the  Army  the  proportion  of  Jewish  surgeons  is  lim- 
ted  (since  18S2)  to  5  poL-  cent.  Promotion  is  given  to  them  only  up  to  the  fifth 
nedical  class,  but  with  the  consent  of  the  chief  commanders  of  the  military  dis- 
I'icts.  To  posts  above  the  first  class  they  are  not  to  be  appointed  at  all.  In  a 
lospital  there  may  be  only  one  Jewish  surgeon.  To  the  district  medic il  ad- 
ainistration  offices,  to  the  chief  medical  administration  offices,  as  well  as  to  hos- 
)itals  and  offices  in  fortresses,  they  are  not  to  be  admitted  at  all.  (Imperial  or- 
ler,  April  10,  1882.) 

The  same  rule  as  to  the  5  per  cent  proportion  is  to  be  applied  to  military  sur- 
geons' assistants  and  surgeons'  apprentices.     {Ibid.) 

N.  B.— In  fact,  even  the  Jews  who  possess  all  the  exceptional  qualifications 
letermined  by  the  law  are  not  admitted  as  a  rule  into  civil  service,  even  for  the 
nost  subordinate  positions.  Lately,  notwithstanding  the  foregoing  permissive 
aws,  no  Jews  have  been  admitted  as  army  surgeons. 

The  board  of  judges,  and  the  council  of  sworn  advocatas,  may  receive  among 
he  number  of  private  and  of  sworn  advocates  persons  who  are  not  Christians; 
)ut  they  mav  not  accept  them  without  the  express  permission  of  the  ministry  of 
ustice.     (Collection  of  Regulations,  1889.  No.  127,  sec.  1031.) 

A  special  permission  of  the  ministers  of  the  interior  and  of  justice  is  required 
or  the  rec  option  of  non-Christian  private  attorneys  in  the  district  sessions. 
Collection  of  Regulations,  1890,  No.  47,  sec.  398.) 

N.  B. — Since  the  two  foregoing  regulations  were  enacted  not  one  Jew  has  been 
idmitted  as  sworn  advocate  or  pri\  ate  attorney. 

*But  see  body  of  report.    These  regulations  are  a  dead  letter. 
fl.  Ex.  235 11 


162  ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

ON  REPRESENTATION. 

The  election  of  Jews,  in  places  of  their  permanent  residence,  to  offices  whi( 
they  are  allowed  to  fill,  and  which  are  of  secular  communal  interest,  can  be  € 
fected  only  by  their  own  congregational  body,  and  apart  from  the  elections  f( 
the  same  offices  made  by  the  Christia^^  community.  (Vol.  ix,  Law  on  Statu 
sec.  984.) 

The  number  of  non-Christian  members  of  a  town  council  may  not  exceed  onf 
third  of  the  entire  number  of  members.     (Local  Institutions,  188).  Art.  1982.) 

Th3  number  of  members  of  the  committee  of  the  bourse  in  Odessa  not  pr 
fessing  the  Christian  religion  must  not  exceed  one-third  of  the  entire  numlx 
of  members.  The  president  of  the  committee  and  the  government  broker  ms 
not  be  Jews.     (Collection  of  Regulations,  15^90,  No.  78,  sec.  794.) 

A  Jew  is  not  eligible  for  the  post  of  mayor,  nor  can  he  act  as  his  locum  tenen 
The  number  of  non-Christian  deputies  in  the  municipal  council  may  not  excee 
a  third  of  the  entire  number.     (Local  Institutions,  Art.  2035.) 

As  Jews  have  no  right  to  fill  the  duties  of  a  mayor,  they  are  altogether  e; 
eluded  from  the  presidency  of  municipal  meetings.  (Circular  of  the  local  d 
partment  of  the  ministry  of  the  interior,  1879,  Oct.  12,  No.  7795.) 

Jews  are  not  almitted  at  all  to  take  part  in  the  election  of  members  for  tl 
local  district  and  provincial  assemblies,  nor  can  they  be  elected  to  any  otticei 
these  bodies  or  their  boards.  (Statute  on  province' and  district  local  institr 
tions  (zemstva);  sec.  xii  of  the  law  sanctioning  the  statute  of  12th  June,  189( 
Collection  of  Laws,  No.  G3,  sec.  597.) 

N.  B. — This  wholly  excludes  Jews  from  local  self-government,  except  muni- 
ipal,  and  even  then  their  number  is  limited  to  one-third. 

By  virtue  of  a  general  rule  as  to  the  eligibility  of  Jews  it  is  enacted  thati 
the  composition  of  official  bodies  not  more  than  a  third  may  consist  of  Jews,  f 
that  the  two-tliirds  and  the  president  must  be  Christians,  (Vol.  ix,  Law  c 
Status,  sec.  983.) 

Jews  may  not  be  elected  to  fill  the  office  of  president  of  school  boards,  whethr 
in  di' ti-ict  or  in  provincial  towns,  nor  can  they  be  chosen  as  members  of  tt^ 
same  by  rural  or  urban  electors.     (Collection  of  Laws,  ls^9.  No.  13,  sec.  116.) 

Jews  are  not  eligible  for  the  offices  of  mayor  or  police  counselors.  Nor  ms 
they  fill  any  other  duties  necessary  in  a  town,  which  either  have  to  be  filled  e: 
clusively  by  Christians  or  which  from  th^^ir  nature  can  not  be  conveniently  ac 
decently  intrusted  to  Jews.     (Vol.  ix,  Law  of  Status,  sec.  989.) 

In  the  nine  western  provinces,  as  also  in  the  governments  of  Bessarabia,  Ek; 
teiinoslav,  Poltava,  Taurida,  Cherson,  and  Tshei-nigov,  on  the  appointment  1 
rotation  of  thirteen  jurors  and  three  substitutes,  the  rule  is  to  be  observed  th; 
the  number  of  Jews  be  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  Christians  as  the  numlx 
of  .Jewish  inhabitants  of  each  district  to  the  total  population.  (Judiciary  La^ 
regulations  on  criminal  procedure,  sec.  510,  note,  1886.) 

In  the  nine  western  governments,  as  also  in  the  governments  of  Bessarabi: 
Ekaterinoslav,  F*oltava,  Taurida,  Cherson.  and  Tshernigov,  the  foreman  of 
jury  may  not  be  a  Jew.     (Law  on  Criminal  Procedure,  sec  670\  1886.) 

In  the  Kingdom  of  Poland  Jews  can  not  be  elders  of  a  hamlet  unless  it  is  e: 
clusively  inhabited  by  Jews.  (Civic  Regulations  of  the  Kingdom  of  Polanc 
book  1,  sec.  16:  vii,  sec.  1.) 

Jews  are  eligible  for  the  office  of  "lavnik"  in  hamlets  inhabited  by  a  mixe' 
population,  but  only  in  cases  in  which  they  comprise  not  fewer  than  a  third  < 
the  population.     {Ibid.,  note  2.) 

Jews  can  be  elected  to  the  office  of  "soltiss"  (bailiff)  only  of  such  hamlets  J 
are  exclusively  inhabited  by  Jews.    {Ibid.,  note  3.) 

ON  MILITARY  SERVICE. 

Jewish  recruits  may  not  be  employed  in  guarding  a  quarantine  district.    ( Vo 
xni.  Medical  Law,  sec.  1532,  1866;  Collection  of  Military  Regulations,  part 
book  1,  sec.  IISU,  note.) 

Jewish  privates  and  noncommissioned  officers  may  not  be  employed  to  guai 
the  frontier.  (Vol.  VI.  Law  on  Customs,  sec.  101 ;  Collection  of  Military  Regi 
latioDS,  part  2,  book  — ,  seo.  1182,  note.) 

Jews  may  not  serve  in  the  navy.  (Collection  of  Military  Regulations,  vo 
XXXI,  30484.) 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    163 

Jews  may  not  serve  as  g-endarmes  in  the  districts  of  Warsaw  and  in  the  Cau- 
•asus;  even  such  Jews  as  have  embrac^^d  orthodoxy  are  disqualiiicd  from  this 
)ffice.  (Collection  of  Military  Rag-ulations,  part  2,  book  ],  sec.  1184;  Supp., 
«c.  1,  note  1.) 

R:cruits  of  Jewish  extraction  may  not  be  employed  in  the  navy,  nor  in  the 
ocal  divisions,  nor  amon^  the  miners  and  sappers,  nor  in  the  commissariat  serv- 
ce  nor  as  clerks.  Recruits  of  all  other  denominations,  who  serve  in  the  dis- 
ricts  of  the  Amoor,  have  the  right  to  take  their  families  with  them  at  the  ex- 
)ense  of  the  state,  on  condition  of  their  settling-  permanently  in  that  district  on 
heir  entering  the  reserve.  But  Jewish  recruits  have  not  that  permission. 
Circular  of  the  Principal  Staff,  1889,  July  31,  No.  180;  Instructions,  sec.  24; 
)upp.  3,  Rules.) 

Jewish  soldiers  and  noncommissioned  officers  who  are  converts  to  orthodoxy 
nay  not  serve  in  any  regiments  or  divisions  permanently  stationed  in  gubernia 
vheve  Jews  are  registered.  (Collection  of  Milit.  Regulations,  part  2,  book  1; 
/ol.  v.,  Supp.  XVIII  (to  sec.  213),  1859,  and  additions  to  the  same,  first  con- 
Inuation,  1861.) 

It  is  not  allowed  to  employ  Jewish  soldiers  as  attendants  upon  officers.  Jew- 
sh  medical  officers  in  the  army,  on  the  other  hand,  may  employ  none  but  Jewish 
ittendants.     ilbid.^  sec.  2129,  Supp.,  sec.  39,  and  note.) 

Although  Jewish  privates  may  be  promoted  to  become  noncommissioned  offi- 
cers and  clerks,  yet  no  further  promotion  to  any  military  post  or  position  as  offi- 
;er  is  allowed.     [Ibid.,  sec.  5G8.) 

Soldiersandnoncommissioaedofficersof  the  Jewish  faith,  not  withstanding  they 
nay  have  serv  d  their  time  and  fulfilled  the  required  conditions,  may  not  be 
ippointed  as  porteopee  younkers*  or  become  candidates  for  any  post  as  officer. 
Ibid.,  sec.  727,  note.) 

Jewish  soldiers  and  noncommissioned  officers  who  belong  to  the  reserve,  al- 
hough  they  may  po-ssass  a  degree  in  chemistry  not  lower  than  that  of  dispenser, 
nay  not,  in  case  of  a  mobilization  of  the  army,  be  appointed  to  fill  the  post  of 
irmy  dispenser.  (Circular  of  the  Principal  Staff,  1888,  March  21;  No.  G(i^  Chief 
Vlilit.  Authorities  of  Medicine.) 

Jewish  soldiers  and  noncommissioned  officers  are  not  allowed  to  enter  the 
schools  for  the  training  of  officers.     {Ibid.,  part  2.  book  J 5,  sec.  50  i,  note.) 

In  case  Jews  i)ass  tho  examin.ition  in  the  subjects  taught  at  the  military  SL-hools 
;he  following  words  shall  be  omitted  from  their  certificate:  "As  far  as  their 
knowledge  is  concerned,  there  is  no  objection  to  admitting  them  to  the  military 
schools. "  iCoUection  of  Regulations,  lsS2,  Sept.  17,  No.  84,  sec.  042;  notes  by 
;he  authorilie.s;  explanation  from  the  ministry  of  war.) 

Since  1887  Jewish  volunteers  are  no  longer  admitted  to  the  examination  for 
ihe  rank  of  officer,  either  in  the  military  schools  or  in  those  for  the  training  of 
)tricers  or  by  special  commission. 

Since  18S9  Jews  are  no  longer  permitted  to  serve  in  the  army  as  bandmasters, 
md  of  young  Jewish  soldiers  no  greater  proportion  may  be  appointed  as  musi- 
cians than  one-third  of  the  total  number  of  memliers  of  the  band. 

Jews  belonging  to  the  reserve  or  being  substitutes  for  those  entering  active 
service,  according  to  the  regulations  of  the  military  law,  have  no  right  of  resi- 
lence  outside  the  Pale  of  Jewish  Settlement.  (Resolutions  of  the  Senate,  1st 
Department,  1885,  May  1,  No.  3372.) 

The  law  which  forbids  Jews  from  residing  outside  the  precincts  of  towns  and 
ownlets  applies  also  to  Jews  belonging  to  the  reserve  or  having  unlimited  fur- 
ougli,  who  have  completed  their  military  duties  according  to  the  previous  re- 
cruiting law.  (Resolutions  of  the  Senate,  1st  Department,  1885,  October  3;  Cir- 
iular  of  the  ministry  of  the  interior,  November  G,  No.  29.) 

ON  LEGAL,  PROCEDURE  IN  REFERENCE  TO  THE  JEWS. 

In  gfubernia  where  Jews  are  permitted  to  reside  permanently  they  are  allowed 
to  give  evidence  in  actions  concerning  such  of  their  coreligionists  as  have  em- 
braced Christianity,  but  only  in  such  cases  where  a  sufficient  number  of  Christian 
witnesses  can  not  be  found.     (Vol.  x,  part  2,  sec.  233  ;  Vol.  xv,  part  2,  sec.  251.) 

In  actions  concjrning  Jews  who  have  embraced  Christianity,  Jews  may  not  be 
admitted  as  witnesses  if  an  objection  is  raised  against  such  admission.  (Law  on 
Criminal  Procedure,  sec.  9H,  note;  4707,  note  5;  Law  of  Military  Courts,  sees. 
i21,  848;  Law  of  Naval  Courts-martial,  sees.  318,  707.) 

*  An  upper  degree  of  noncommissioned  officers  permitted  to  carry  swords. 


164    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.        I 

In  the  form  of  oath  speoially  administsred  to  Jews  the  following-  extra  words 
must  occur  :  "  With  a  pure  heart  and  without  mental  reservaion,  but  in  accord- 
ance with  the  thoug-hts  and  inlention  of  those  who  administer  the  oath  to  me." 
(Vol.  XI,  part  1,  Law  on  Foreign  Denominations,  sec.  lOol  (note);  Supp.  con- 
tinued, 1886.) 

ON  PUNISHMENTS. 

No  persons,  except  rabbis  authorized  by  the  Government,  and  their  assistants, 
are  allowed  to  perform  tha  ceremonies  of  the  Jewish  religion,  as  laid  down  in  the 
law  concerning  alien  religious  denominations.  Those  who  iu fringe  this  regula- 
tion are  liable  to  the  following  peaalties:  For  the  first  offense,  imprisonment 
from  fourteen  days  to  four  mouths  :  for  the  secjond  offense,  to  penal  serv  itude 
for  four  years.  The  head  of  the  family  at  whose  instance  such  ceremony  has 
been  performed,  has  to  pay  a  fine  not  exceeding  20  rubles.  •  (Criminal  Law,  sec. 
302.) 

Non-Jews,  guilty  of  concealing  military  deserters,  are  liable  to  imprisonment 
from  two  to  four  months,  or  to  military  arrest  from  three  weeks  to  three  months. 
But  a  Jew  who  has  concealed  a  Jewish  deserter,  even  during  ever  so  short  a  time, 
is  liable  to  penal  servitude  from  twelve  to  eighteen  months.  In  a  idition  to  this, 
the  members  of  the  Jewish  community  where  a  Jewish  deserter  has  been  con- 
cealed, will  be  sentenced  to  a  fine  no t"^  exceeding  300  rubles.  (Criminal  Law, 
1885,  sees.  528  and  530.) 

If  a  non-Jew  evades  the  fulfillment  of  his  military  duties,  the  liability,  accord- 
ing to  sections  50J-520,  to  punishment  lies  only  upon  him  p^rsonjiUy.  But  if  a 
Jew  evades  the  fulfillment  of  his  military  duties,  his  family  is  liable  to  a  fine  of 
300  rubles,  over  and  above  his  own  personal  responsibility.  (Law  on  Military 
Duty,  188(),  sec.  360.) 

Non-Jews,  convicted  of  contraband  importation  of  foreign  goods,  and  of  smug- 
gling in  general,  or  of  participation  in  the  same,  are  liable  to  punishments  laid 
down  in  Penal  Code,  sees.  744-764,  766-781.  784,  787,  790,  801  817,  819-821.  But 
Jews,  besides  the  ordinary  punishment,  will  be  removed  to  a  distance  of  50 
versts  from  the  frontier,  not  merely  if  convicted  of  smuggling,  but  even  if  sus- 
pected of  that  offense.  They  may  be  thus  removed  with  their  families  without 
a  regular  sentence  by  a  judge,  and  merely  on  th^^  requisition  of  the  custom-house 
authorities.     (Vol.  xiv.  Law  on  Passports,  sec.  23,  note,  1886.) 

Persons  of  all  denominations,  other  than  Jewish,  who  have  infringed  the  reg- 
ulations as  to  the  education  of  youth,  are  liable  to  piy  the  fines  laid  down  in 
sees.  1049-1052  of  the  Penal  Code.  But  Jewish  t/'achers  (melamdim),  for  the 
same  offense,  are  liable,  for  the  first  and  second  offeuses,  to  a  fine  of  twice  the 
amount  of  the  penalty  to  which  non-Jews  are  liable  under  the  same  circum- 
stances ;  for  the  third  offense,  over  and  above  the  payment  of  the  fine,  to  an  im- 
prisonment of  four  to  eight  months.     (Penal  Code.  sec.  1053.)  J 

Jewish  colonists,  if  guilt}''  of  negligence  in  their  occupation,  or  of  carrying  on| 
a  trade  not  permitted  them,  are  liable  for  the  first  offense  to  ira]n'isonment  of' 
two  to  four  months,  for  the  second  offense  to  doublj  that  punishment,  for  the 
third  offense  to  penal  servitude  for  four  years,     {/hid.,  sec.  1056.) 

Those  who  are  guilty  of  building  synagogues  or  houses  of  prayer  without  per- 
mission, or  who  have  built  such  withiu  the  distance  from  Christian  churches 
prohibited  by  law,  are  liable  to  a  fine  not  exceeding  200  rubles.  (Ibid.,  sec. 
1074.) 

Persons  of  all  other  denominations  who  carry  on  a  trade  not  permitted  them 
by  law  are,  if  found  guilty,  liable,  according  to  section  1169,  to  a  fine  not  exceed- 
ing 300  rubles.  But  Jews  who  carry  on  any  trade  outside  the  pale  of  Jewish 
settlement  are  punished  by  the  confiscation  of  their  goods  and  immediate  ex- 
pulsion.    {Ibid.,  sec.  1171.) 

Non-Christians  who  have  performed  the  ceremony  of  marriage  on  persons  who 
have  not  reached  the  age  prescribed  by  law,  or  who  have  performed  an  illegal 
divorce,  will,  as  well  as  their  accomplices,  lose  their  posts  and  be  imprisoned 
for  a  period  of  two  to  four  months. 

But  rabbis  convicted  of  such  breach  of  the  law  for  the  second  time  will  be 
punished  with  penal  servitude  for  four  years.     [Ibid.,  sec.  1579.) 

REGULATIONS  AS  TO  FOREIGN  JEWS. 

Foreign  Jews  who  obtained  by  inheritance  house  or  landed  property  in  Rus- 
sia must  sell  the  same  within  the  period  of  six  months.  (Vol.  IX,  Laws  on  Status, 
sec.  960;  Vol.  xiv,  Law  on  Passports,  sec.  296,  1887.)  \ 


enforceme:jtt  of  alien  contract  labor  laws.       165 

Foreig-n  Jews  .who  are  not  Karaites  are  not  permitted  to  immig-rate  into  Rus- 
sia, or  to  become  Russian  sub  ects.     (Vol.  IX,  Law  on  Status,  sec.  99L) 

Every  foreig'ner  on  producing  his  passport  will  be  required  t)  declare,  among 
Dther  things,  to  which  religious  denomination  he  belongs.  (Vol.  xiv,  Law  on 
Passports,  sec.  48G,  note.  sec.  7,  188'o.) 

Foreign  Jews  shall  be  furnished  with  passports,  on  which  it  shall  be  expressed 
that  the  same  in  valid  only  for  such  places  where  the  Jews  may  permanently  re- 
side.    {Ibid.,  sees.  S,  2.) 

Foreign  Jewish  sub'ects  known  from  their  social  position  and  from  their  large 
business  transactions,  on  visiting  Russia,  are  permitted  to  carry  on  th:'ir  busi- 
ness within  the  Empire,  and  to  found  banking  houses,  subject  to  their  becoming 
merchants  of  the  first  guild.  This  can  only  take  place  if  a  special  permission 
has  been  granted  to  that  effect  by  the  ministers  of  finance,  of  the  intsrior.  and 
of  foreign  afi'airs:  such  permission  must  be  solicited  again  at  every  renewal  of 
the  merchant  guild  certificate.     (Vol.  ix,  sec.  1001,  note  1,  1887.) 

All  foreigners  who  visit  Russia  for  the  purpose  of  transacting  business,  either 
without  becoming  Russian  subjects  or  with  the  intention  of  becoming  Russian 
subjects,  are  required  first  to  produce  a  certificate  from  a  foreign  Consistorium 
or  any  other  high  clerical  authority,  to  the  effect  that  they  and  their  families 
are  Christians.  The  same  law  applies  to  tliose  who  arrive  from  the  Kingdom 
of  Poland,  and  from  the  Grand  Duchy  of  Finland.     [Ibid.,  note  3.) 

Jevvs  from  Roumania  who  have  no  means  of  subsistence  will  noi  be  admitted 
into  Russia.     (Vol.  xiv,  Law  on  Passports,  sec.  487,  contin.,  1886.) 

The  local  authorities  shall  keep  a  strict  watch  that  no  foreign  Jews  reside 
under  Christian  names  in  places  where  they  are  prohibited  to  stay.  (Vol.  xiv, 
Law  on  Passport,  sec.  531.  1886.) 

Foreign  Jews  mav  not  manage  or  farm  inhabited  or  uninhabited  estates. 
(Vol.  IX,  sec.  1004.)  " 

General  obs^ervations. — The  restrictive  laws  hereinbefore  enumerated,  the  strin- 
gency of  which  is  sufficiently  obvious,  give  a  very  inadequate  idea  of  their  full 
working  elTeetiveness.  Their  practical  working  is  intensified  by  a  series  of 
rulings  by  the  Senate  (the  (?ourt  of  judicature),  which  has  almost  invariably  in- 
terpreted the  laws  in  a  sense  unfavorable  to  the  Hebrews.  It  may  there  ore  be 
rea  lily  understood  that  these  laws  are  not  only  applied,  but  overstrained  in 
their  scope  and  intention  by  the  Russian  officials. 


DECREE  FOR  EXPULSION  OF  THE  JEWS  FROM  MOSCOW  AND  ITS 
GOVERNMENT  AND  SECRET  CIRCULAR  TO  POLICE. 

Concerning  the  carrying  into  execution  of  the  Imperial  decree  for  the  expul- 
sion of  the  .lews  from "^ Moscow  and  its  government  the  following  three  classes 
are  established. 

To  the  first  belong  those  Jews  who  liave  lived  in  Moscow  or  its  government 
not  longer  than  three  years,  and  who  are  either  single  or  married,  but  childless, 
and  who  keep  only  one  assistant  artisan. 

To  the  second  belong  those  Jews  who  have  four  members  in  tlijir  family  and 
not  more  than  four  assistant  artisans,  and  who  have  lived  in  Moscow  or  its  gov- 
ernment not  less  than  six  years. 

To  the  third  belong  those  Jews  who  have  larger  families  and  who  have  more 
than  four  assistant  artisans,  and  who  long  ago"  settled  in  Moscow  or  its  govern- 
ment. 

For  the  voluntary  departure  of  the  Jews  of  the  first  class  fro"in  three  to  six 
months'  time  is  given. 

For  the  second,  from  six  to  nine  months,  and  for  the  third  from  nine  months 
to  one  year. 

Those  artisan  Jews  who  are  to  be  expelled  must  bB  v.^arned  of  their  expulsion 
by  the  district  police,  and  their  signature  to  this  warning  obtained,  three  months 
before  the  time  of  leaving. 

For  the  Jewish  artisans  who  own  immovable  property  two  years'  notice  is 
given,  with  u  timely  warning  of  the  same. 

Concerning  the  Jews  who  remain  in  Moscow  or  its  government  by  virtue  of 
the  circular  of  the  ministry  of  the  interior  for  1880,  paragrajjh  No.  30,t  the  same 

*  Meaning  more  than  six  years. 

t Which  permits  J ev/ish  merchants  of  the  first  guild  and  their  employes  to 
iive  in  Moscow. 


166    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

identical  measures  must  be  taken;  but  only  two  pei'iods  for  the  time  of  leaving 
shall  be  fixed,  to  wit:  For  those  who  are  employed  as  clerks  or  who  have  insig- 
nilicant  occupations  six  months'  time  to  leave  is  fixed.  To  those  who  are  engaged 
in  commercial  affairs,  especially  with  Russian  manufacturers,  one  year  is  given, 
and  the  manufacturers  must  be  warned  of  the  expulsion  of  such  six  months 
previously. 

For  agents  and  those  who  have  powers  of  attorney  from  the  larger  Russian 
manufacturers  the  time  of  leaving  must  b6  extended  to  two  years. 

In  fixing  the  time  of  leaving  for  each  class  attention  must  be  paid  to  the  dates 
when  commercial  documents*  were  issued  to  the  Jews,  which  are  in  force  until 
January  1. 

The  Jews  who  have  paid  their  commercial  taxes  and  duties  may  be  permitted 
to  remain  until  the  time  named  in  the  document  expires,  although  they  may  be- 
long to  one  of  the  classes  to  whom  a  shorter  time  is  fixed.  This  clause  of  the 
ukase  is  utterly  disregarded.     (See  body  of  report.) 

In  defining  the  right  of  some  Jews  to  reside  in  Moscow  and  its  government 
permanently,  each  case  must  be  considered  separately,  and  is  subject  to  special 
solicitation.  The  computation  of  time  for  the  leaving  of  the  Jews  of  all  three 
classes  shall  begin  from  the  date  of  receipt  of  this  paper. t 

[This  same  ukase  was  issued  by  the  chief  of  police  of  Moscow,  with  the  follow- 
ing heading  "circular,  very  secret.    To  the  district  pristavs  (police  captains"). 

Then  comes  the  ukase  as  given  above  with  the  following  directions  to  his  sub- 
ordinate officers.] 

I  therefore  notify  your  highborn  nobleness  that  you  take  due  action,  and  direct 
that  you  personally  verify  in  all  the  shops  and  factories  kept  by  Jews,  the  num- 
ber of  the  assistant  artisans  ;  also,  what  category  the  Jews  belong  to,  and  the 
time  of  their  arrival  in  Moscow  for  residence.  And  then  take  their  signature 
to  a  notice  of  voluntary  departure  from  the  capital,  warning  them  that  the  com- 
putation of  their  terms  of  stay  will  begin  on  the  l-lth  of  July  instant.  Also  take 
a  registry  of  names  in  alphabetical  order  of  Jewish  artisans,  and  second  of  Jews 
living  in  Moscow  under  the  right  of  circular  No.  3  J  issued  by  the  minister  of  the 
interior  in  1880,  specifying  in  separate  colums  the  time  of  arrival  in  Moscow, 
number  of  a>;sistant  artisans,  number  in  family,  and  the  expiration  of  term  of 
departure.  In  reference  to  Jews  residing  according  to  circular  of  1880,  their 
occupations,  also  the  names  of  commercial  houses  where  they  are  em[)loyed, 
and  present  them  to  me  within  two  weeks  ;  also  furnish  me  with  the  list  of  Jewa 
p 'rtaining  to  any  of  the  foregoing  categories  who  own  immovable  property 
here. 

Signed : 

YOURKOFSKI, 

Major- General. 
Certified: 

KiRILOVSKY, 

Acting  director  of  the  Bureau. 
True: 


Acting  Jiead  of  Department, 


"  VOLUNTARY  "  OBLIGATION  TO  LEAVE. 
[Translation.] 

July  14-26, 189L 
I,  undersigned,  little  citizen  residing  in  Moscow,  from year  [where] 


according  to  the  order  of  his  Imperial  highness,  the  governor-general  of  ^ 
Moscow,  with  agreement  of  the  minister  of  interior,  expressed  in  the  order  of  the 
chief  police,  m;ister  of  Moscow,  of  July  16-28,  No.  110,  I  obligate  myself  to  leave 
Moscow  volvmtarily  in  the  term  of ,  month . 

Dates  verifivjd. 

Obligation  taken  before  "  Okolotochny."    House ,  No. street. 

*  A  license  to  do  business. 

t  We  found  that  the  last  sentence  of  this  ukase  is  entirely  disregarded.  The 
custom  being  for  the  police  to  send  for  a  man,  obtain  his  signature  to  the  ''vol- 
untary obligation  to  leave"  without  furnishing  axopy  of  '*  this  paper." 


ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.         1^)7 
CERTIFICATE  OF  THE  MOSCOW  BOARD  OF  TRADE. 

This  certificate  is  given  on  the  ground  of  the  38Tth  article  of  the  laws  for  arti- 
ans,  1887,  to  the  Jewess,  a  native  of  Homel,  Rachel  Isakowa  Zakoshauska  (Ju- 
aic  confession),  that  according  to  her  petition  she  has  received  a  certificate  of 

dressmaker,  entered  in  the  trades  hook  of  the  Moscow  trades  administration, 
^0,  7926,  and  the  dues  collected,  to  wit,  the  sum  of  3  rubles,  and  paid  to  the 
leasury  of  the  Moscow  trades  administration,  up  to  Mny  1,  1892,  and  at  the 
xpiration  of  this  time  she  must  pay  the  same  amount  of  dues  for  the  next  year. 
?his  woman  was  expelled,  however,  nearly  one  year  before  the  time  which  her 
eceipts  entitled  her  to  remain. 

MURAVIEV, 

Elder  of  the  Board. 


Manager, 


Head  of  the  Department, 


tf 


CERTIFICATE  REQUIRED  TO  OBTAIN  PERMIT  TO  GO  ABROAD. 

INDORSEMENT  ON  PASSPORT. 

The  within-named  person  is  on  ground  of  paragraph  1  of  the  order  to  the  po- 
lice of  April  28,  1891,  No.  118,  obliged  to  leave  Moscow  within  24  hours. 
(August  2,  1891. 
}  [Signed:]  Police  Captain  of  Srietenslcy  precinct. 

[This  person  had  a  passport  and  was  ordered  to  leave  Moscow  within  24  hours 
as  per  indorsement.     He  then  made  ap])lication  for  permission  to  go  abroad, 
nd  was  furnished  with  the  following  certificate:] 


CERTIFICATE. 


This  is  given  by  the  police  authorities  of  the  town  district  to  the  native  of 
Gorki.  Jew  Uri  Salmanov  Libin;  his  wife.  Sossia:  and  children,  Leiba,  12  years 
old,  Abraham,  11;  Bassia,  Ki;  Mary,  10;  Feiga,  9,  and  Freida,  8,  who  live  in  this 
precinct.  No.  12  Znamenskaya  street,  Moscow,  and  who  is  about  to  apply  for  a 
foreign  passport  at  the  office  (jf  the  Moscow  governor-general,  and  it  is  certified 
hereby  that  he  is  the  above-named  individual,  and  1  he  local  police  authorities  have 
no  ground  to  hinder  him  from  leaving  to  go  abroad. 

Certified  by  the  police  authorities  and  seal  affixed  August  7,  1891. 


RUSSIAN  PASSPORT. 

[Translated.] 

Son  of  a  Nicholas  soldier,  born  outside  of  the  pale,  and  has  legal  right  to  live  any- 
where in  Russia. 

Bearer  of  this,  native  of  gfubernium  of  Riasan  *,  of  the  town  of  Rannenburg, 
Jew,  Yankel  Itzkowich  Freidman,  age  18,  is  allowed  to  reside  in  different 
giibernia  from  the  below  named  date  for  a  term  of  one  month.  If  in  the  course 
of  the  month  of  grace  after  said  term  he  does  not  appear,  he  shall  be  dealt  with 
as  a  vagabond. 

Given  in  the  town  of  Rannenburg  July  20,  1891. 

[seal.]  p.  Federov, 

2'oiun  Elder. 

*  Riasan  is  outside  of  pale. 


1G8    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

[On  tbe  reverse  side  :]  This  passport  is  in  force  where  J^ws  are  permitted  ti 

P.  Federov, 

Town  Elder. 

Vise  August  15,  1891.  f 

[At  the  second  station  of  the  Srietensky  precinct,  Pristav  Kasbin.] 

Avcinst  — ,  1891.— The  Jew  Friedman,  herein  named,  is  on  the  gfround  of  tb 
order  to  the  pol"ce  of  Moscow  of  April  28,  1891,  under  number  118,  obligated  t( 
K'a"«  e  Moscow  within  twenty-four  hours. 

Srietensky,  precinct  Outchastok  second  station. 

(Pristav)  Kosbein. 


\ 


RUSSIAN  PASSPORT. 

[Translated.] 

Son  of  a  Nicholas  soldier,  born  outside  of  the  pale,  and  has  legal  right  to  live  any 

where  in  Russia. 

By  the  ukase  of  His  Majesty  Emperor  Alexander  Alexandrovich,  Autocrat  of  al 

Russia,  etc. 

Bearer  of  this,  native  of  gubernium  of  Riasan,  the  town  of  Rannenburg  o 
the  Jewish  confession,  Chazkel  Itzkovich  Freidman,  is  allowed  to  go  to  differen 
towns  and  villages  of  the  Russian  Empire  for  his  personal  needs  from  the  below 
named  date  for  the  term  of  four  months—?',  p..  to  the  1st  of  November,  and  atth( 
expiration  of  this  term  he  has  to  return  back,  otherwise  he  shall  be  dealt  witt; 
according  to  law,  ' 

Given  by  the  document  inscribed  in  book  and  numbered  No.  617  by  the  towi 
elder  of  Ranneburg,  with  affixing  of  the  seal  thereon. 

July  3,  1891. 

P.  Fedorov, 

Town  Elder. 

July  31,  1891. 
[On  the  reverse:]   Vis6  in   the  second  station   of    the   Srietensk    precinc 
(Ouchastok)  of  the  city  of  Moscow. 

(Signature  of  Pristav.) 

The  Jew  named  in  this  passport,  Freidman,  on  ground  of  the  order  to  th^ 
Moscow  police  of  April  28,  1891,  under  No.  118,  is  obligated  to  leave  Moscow  ii^ 
the  course  of  twenty-four  hours.  ^ 

August  2,  1891. 

[Signature :]  (Pristav)  Kosbein. 

EXPULSION   ORDER   OF  A  TWELVE- YEAR   RESIDENT  IN  ODESSA 

In  the  name  of  His  Majesty,  Charles  I.  King  of  Roumania: 

We,  minister,  secretary  of  state  of  the  foreign  department  of  Roumania,  as! 

the  military  and  civil  authorities  to  freely  let  pass  Mrs.  Maly  Bain,  who  is  goinj 

to  Russia  with  her  live  children,  and-to  give  her  assistance  and  protection  ii 

case  of  need. 

Marks  :  Age,  38  ;   stature,  middle  ;  hair  and  brows,  reddish  ;  forehead,  white 
Vised  in  the  Russian  Imperial  Embassy  of  Roumania  and  permitted  to  go  U 

Russia  to  bearer,  Molia  Bain,  with  five  children.     Bukarest,  April  5,  1879. 

Baron  Rosen, 

ISecretary. 

*  This  is  contradictory  of  the  first  permission  laid  down  in  the  body  of  tb< 
passport,  which  gives  the  right  to  live  anywhere,  while  the  indorsement  mad« 
by  th(3  same  authority  qualifies  it  by  confining  the  right  to  places  where  Jew:^ 
are  permitted  to  live.  1 

t  \^iso  August  lb,  1891,  as  correct,  and  in  the  same  month  ordered  to  leav< 
within  twenty-four  hours. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    1G9 

On  the  reverse  side  is  indorsed  :  Bearer  of  this,  Mania  Bain,  with  her  children, 
Henry,  Solomon,  Milosh,  and  Rebecca  is  obligated  to  leave  the  confines  of  the 
Kussfan  Empire  within  seven  days  from  date. 
October  8, 1891. 

Zelensky, 
City  Commander  [Gradonachalink]  of  Odessa,  Major- General, 


CERTIFICATE. 

[Expulsion  certificate  of  Simon  Blaiistein.  who  had  a  lec^al  right  of  residence  and  who  had 
lived  in  the  place  from  which  he  was  expelled  twent3''-tive  years.] 

April  20,  1891. 
This  is  given  by  the  rural  administration  of  the  village  of  Senatowka,  District 
of  Soioki,  Gov.  Bessarabia,  to  the  resident  of  the  village  of  Senatowka,  to  a  native 
of  Zanitekovko,  Simon  Yankelevich  Blaustein,  and  csrtiQes  that  said  Simon 
Biaustein  has  resided  in  this  village  for  the  last  twenty-five  years,  always  con- 
ducted himself  honorably  and  nobly,  has  occupied  himself  during  that  time  with 
azi'icullure  and  commerce  ;  but  as  he  was  omitted  from  the  registry  of  the 
\illage  of  Senatovvka,  which  was  taken  by  order  of  the  district  commander 
(Ispravnik),  th' said  Blaustein  is  expelled  from  the  village  of  Sanatowka,  ac- 
cording to  the  laws  promulgated  on  May  3,  1SS2.*  This  the  rural  administra- 
tion of  Senatowka  certifies,  with  affixing  of  the  seal  thereof. 

Pautalej  Godonog, 

Elder. 
Ivan  Yaman, 

Ckrk, 


RUSSIAN  PASSPORT. 

[Translated.] 

By  the  ukase  of  His  Majesty,  Emperor  Alexander  Alexandrovich,  Autocrat  of  all 

Russias. 

Bearer  of  this,  a  resident  Jew  of  the  Gov.  Minsk,  district  of  Kaidan,  Vote 
Yo  elevich  Kuchcrinsky.  entered  in  the  registry  sub  No.  318,  is  allowed  to  go 
into  dilt'eront  towns  and  villages  of  th.-  Rusbian  Empire  for  his  personal  require- 
ments fro. 11  the  date  below  for  one  year,  i.  c,  up  to  the  8th  of  Ajiril,  1892,  and 
after  expiration  of  this  time  to  return  here.  Otherwise  he  will  be  dealt  with 
according  to  law. 

Giv  -n  by  the  document,  entered  in  the  book  under  No.  318  from  the  Kaidan 
district  Hail,  with  the  seal  of  the  same. 

April  8,  1891. 
This  is  for  places  where  it  is  allowed  by  law  for  Jews  to  live.     The  above- 
named  Kuchcrinsky  has  a  certificate  of  the  Moscow  Trade  Hall,  dated  the  20th 
April,  1891.  numbered  4834,  giving  the  right  to  work  at  his  trale  as  a  tailor. 

[Signature  undecipherable,] 

[On  the  reverse  side  is  indorsed  :]  Jewish;  26  April,  '90;  artisan  tailor;  from  1887 
worked  at  Mendelevich.  April  ISlh,  ]'^'.)1,  vise,  and  entered  in  the  Piatnitizky 
police  precinct  of  the  1st  district.  Pristafif  (captain).  The  Jew  Vote  Kuchcrin- 
sky is  allowed  to  live  in  Moscow  as  an  apprentice  till  the  30th  of  August,  1891. 

YOURKOFFSKY, 

Ober  Policcmaster  {Chief  of  Police). 

*  The  Ignatieflf  or  May  laws,  which  still  permitted  to  remain  in  villages  Jews 
who  were  settled  there  prior  to  the  issuing  of  said  May  laws. 


170  ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

RUSSIAN  PASSPORT. 

LTranslated.] 

By  the  ukase  of  His  Majesty,  Alexander  Alexandrovich,etc.,  Emperor  of  all  Russias,  i 

Autocrat.  ''|l 

Bearer  of  this,  Jew,  resident  of  Choslowich,  of  the  district  of  Mstislawl,  Gov.  ' 
of  Mohilev,  Salman  Isacow  Perlin,  entered  in  the  10th  census  under  No.  137,  his 
wife  Elka,  47  years  old,  and  their  daughters,  Rachel,  20;  Golda,  18  years,  and 
Nechame,  11  years,  are  allowed  to  go  to  different  towns  and  villages  of  the  Rus- 
sian Empire  for  his  personal  needs  for  1  year,  commencing  from  the  date  named 
below  to  the  26th  of  August,  1891,  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  time  to  return 
back  ;  otherwise  he  will  be  dealt  with  according  to  law.  Given  by  the  document' 
entered  in  the  Book  No.  938  by  the  chairman  of  the  Choslowich  commune,  with' 
the  affixing  its  seal  thereto. 

August  26, 1890. 

The  above  said  Perlin  has  a  certificate  of  a  shoemaker  assistant,  given  to  him 
by  the  Moscow  trade  administration  on  the  Uthof  September,  1889,  under  No. 
112.  and  as  appears  from  a  certificate  of  the  police  captain  from  the  26th  instant 
he  has  never  been  suspected  of  any  crime.  He,  Perlin,  has  a  right  to  live  also 
outside  the  Pale  of  Settlement. 

On  the  3d  of  September,  1890,  the  passport  was  indorsed  in  the  police  station:] 

"  It  is  permitted  to  the  Jew,  Salmon  Perlin,  to  live  in  Moskow  as  an  artisan's 
assistant  until  the  26th  of  August,  1891. 

"September  11,  1890. 

"  YOURKOPFSKY, 

' '  Major-  General ,  Chief  of  Police. 
"Hospital  tax  paid  up  to  3d  of  Sept.,  1891." 

March  the  14th,  1891,  this  passport  was  indorsed  at  the  police  station. 
"  IShoemakcr. — The  Jew,  Salmon  Perl'n,  excluded  from  the  list  of  artisans  of|| 
Moscow,  is  obliged  to  leave  Moscow  within  14  days. 
"  July  24th,  1891. 

" [name  undecipherable.], 

^^ Acting  Folice  CaptainJ^ 


RUSSIAN  PASSPORT. 
[Translated.] 

By  the  ukase  of  His  Majesty,  Emperor  Alexander  Alexandrovich,  Autocrat  of  aUi 

Bussias,  etc. 

Bearer  of  this,  native  of  Haiscnt,  Gov.  Kurland,  Chaim  Wolf  Hessenbery,  is 
to  pass  to  different  cities  and  villages  of  the  Russian  Empire  for  his  personal 
requirements  from  the  date  named  below  up  to  1  year,  i.  c,  1892,  April  20,  and 
after  this  time  to  come  back:  otherwise  he  will  be  dealt  with  according  to  law. 

Given  by  the  document  entered  under  No.  79  from  the  Haisent  town  adminis- 
tration, with  aifixing  of  the  seal  thereunto. 

APRIL  20,  1891. 
Bearer  has  a  certificate  of  artisanship  as  a  tailor  from  the  Moscow  Board  of 
Trade  from  August  21,  1890.    No.  8133. 

KiPLOK, 

Assistant  Elder. 
V.  Grinbers, 

Bookkeeper. 

The  Jew,  Chaim  Wolf  Hassenbery,  is  allowed  to  live  in  Moscow  as  an  artisan 

assistant  up  to  August  21,  '91. 

YOURKOPFSRY. 

Chief  of  Folice  of  Moscow^  Major  General. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    171 

May  8, 1891. 
To  the  above  said  Jew,  the  further  living  in  Moscow  is  prohibited  and  he  has 
o  leave  Moscow  within  24  hours.    Aug.  30,  '91. 

SCHIPOW, 

Police  Captain. 

By  the  vkase  of  His  Majesty ^  Emperor  Alexander  Alexandrovich,  AiUocrat  of  all 

Hussias,  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 

Bearer,  native  of  the  Gov.  Kovno,  district  of  Rossieui,  Jewish  Commune  of 
farwitkowo,  Solomon  Hirsch  Itzkovich  Abramovich,  with  his  wife.  Michle, 
U  years  old,  daughter  Freida,  9  years  old,  is  allowed  to  go  to  different  towns 
ind  villages  of  the  Russian  Empire  for  his  personal  requirements  from  the 
lamed  date  for  one  year — i.  e.,  18:)2,  Jan'y  23,  and  after  expiration  of  this  term 
X)  return  back;  otherwise  he  will  be  dealt  with  according  to  law.  Given  by 
locument,  entered  in  book  under  No.  3. 

From  the  Yarwitkow  commune  administration,  with  afiBxing  of  the  seal 
Jan'y  23, 18:^1. 

[Marks  :]  Age,  37 ;  stat.,  2  arshin,  4i  wershk ;  hair,  brows  (fair) ;  eyes,  gray  ; 
aose,  mouth,  moderate  ;  chin,  round ;  face,  clean. 

MovsHA  Levin, 

JElder. 

[Reverse  side  :]  Feb'y  16th,  1891.  Vise  by  the  police  captain  (Pristav)  of  the 
3th  precinct  (Stan)  and  entered  under  No.  47.  As  he  had  not  exhibited  any- 
thing, which  gives  him  the  right  to  live  in  Kiev,  he  is  obligated  to  leave  Kiev 
within  24  hours. 

Sept.  4th,  '91. 

WlSHNEV^SKY, 

Acting  Police  Captain. 

A  foreign  passport  is  given  to  him  by  the  Governor  of  Kiev  on  the  6th  of 
Sept.,  1891.    Director  of  the  Department. 

E.  S. 

TRANSIT  PASSPORT. 

St.  Petersburg. 

This  is  given  by  the  police  captain  of  the  3d  station  of  the  Moscow  police  dis- 
trict to  the  native  of  Gov.  of  Mohilew,  a  Jew,  Schmul  Leiboer  Sattman,  with 
wife  and  children,  for  uninterrupted  (except  at  night  time)  travel  to  his  native 
city,  and  he  is  hereby  obliged,  after  reaching  his  destination,  to  present  this  to 
the  local  authorities.*^  This  is  certified  by  signature  and  the  affixing  of  the  offi- 
cial seal. 

August  28th,  '91. 

This  transit  passport  can  not  serve  as  a  permit  of  residence. 

[seal.]  WERKXJIilNSKY, 

Police  Captain, 


ON  THE  JEWISH  AGRICULTURAL  COLONIES  OF  EKATERINOSLAV. 

The  opinion  is  frequently  expressed  that  Jews  avoid  physical  manual 
labor,  preferring  the  work  of  interincdiary  brokerage  and  the  inter- 
change of  commodities  to  productive  or  agricultural  pursuits.  It  can 
not  be  denied  that  in  many  places  the  Jewish  population  is  more  con- 
cerned with  commercial  than  agricultural  labor.  It  can  not  be  other- 
wise, so  long  as  the  Jews  are  compelled  to  remain  residents  of  towns 
i  or  cities.  What  other  elements  of  population,  residing  in  small  cities 
or  the  centers  of  manufacture,  is  engaged  in  productive  labor?  That 
Jews  almost  exclusively  form  part  of  city  population  is  no  fault  of 
theirs,  when  legislation  directs  that  they  can  live  nowhere  else.  As 
far  as  productive  labor  is  possible  in  towns,  it  has  always  engaged  a 


172    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

liii'i^c  pcrceuLage  of  tlio  Jewish  population  in  the  Pale  of  settlement 
This  fact  is  sho^Yn  by  the  action  of  the  Russian  Governiuent,  which  ii 
18()r)  invited  the  Jewish  artisans,  under  the  decree  of  July  the  28th,  U 
settle  in  the  interior  of  Ilussia,  in  order  that  they  might  get  a  h\iiig 
and  to  relieve  the  overcrowded  labor  market  of  the  Pale.  Even  thei 
llie  Pale  was  overfilled  with  artisans,  and  notwithstanding  a  greai 
number  of  them  have,  under  this  invitation,  gone  to  cities  of  the  iiite 
rior  of  the  Empire,  the  Pale  is  yet  so  filled  that  many  can  find  no  out 
let  for  their  labor.  These  are  hard  facts;  but  from  them  can  we  dra\\ 
the  conclusion  that  the  Jews  are  incapable  of  agricultural  labor?  Th( 
agricultural  conditions  thus  referred  to,  caused  us  to  make  a  very  care 
i'lil  investigation  and  study  of  the  results  reached  by  the  Governmenl 
in  its  efforts  to  promote  agricultural  labor  among  the  Jews. 

The  Government  commenced  the  colonization  of  Jews  in  the  territorj 
of  (Jherson  and  Ekaterinoslav  as  far  back  as  1807.  They  did  not  un 
dertake  it  with  the  desire  to  solve  the  Jewish  question  by  it,  but  hac 
in  view  merely  a  desire  to  populate  desert  and  laioccupied  lands  witl 
the  superflous  population  in  the  Pale  which  had  no  other  labor.  Thit 
-Nvas  ils  x)rincipal  aim,  althongh  it  had  another  view,  to  wit,  the  experi 
ment  as  to  the  capacity  of  the  Jews  to  become  agriculturists.  Th( 
donbt  concerning  this  capacity  is  not  unnatural.  The  feudal  system  it 
the  west  as  well  as  here  excluded  the  Jews  from  any  possibility  of  pos 
sessmg  land,  as  they  always  occupied  a  semilegal  position  in  the  state 
Jews  could  notjiossess  land  as  they  could  not  become  knights,  military 
commanders,  or  servants  of  the  state.  Therefore  they  had  no  connec 
ti()]i  with  the  land.  They  were  necessarily  town  inhabitants.  Urbai 
life  has  enabled  them  to  pursue  only  urban  industries.  The  donhi 
about  the  capacity  of  Jews  for  agriculture  stands  in  the  same  relatioi 
to  other  categories  of  urban  population.  Even  farmers  who  have  livet 
long  in  town  become  in  time  poor  agriculturists,  as  they  have  assim 
ilated  with  city  life,  which  stimulates  the  exercise  of  intellectual  powerj 
more  than  the  physical,  and  which  represents  the  necessity  for  a  men 
subtle,  refined  stiuggle  for  life,  because  men  have  to  struggle  witl 
]nen  instead  of  the  fields.  It  is  more  difficult  still  for  the  children  o 
these  i)eople  to  adapt  themselves  to  agricultural  work;  but  who  wil 
assert  that  a  man  can  not  adapt  himself  in  the  long  run  to  one  or  th( 
other  situation,  labor  or  occu]>atiou? 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in  regulating  the  mode  of  life  of  th( 
Jewish  colonists,  one  is  strnck  by  the  multitude  of  law^s  and  regulations 
which  contradict  and  nullify  one  another.  Such  contradictory  legisla 
tion  shows  that  in  each  case  the  i)receding  law  or  institution,  whicl 
was  so  promptly  revoked  or  nullified  by  the  subsequent  one,  was  a  fail 
ure  either  as  a  law  or  as  an  institution  or  in  its  execution.  ludepend 
entiy  of  the  ditficulty  of  the  task  itself,  the  newness  and  inexperienci 
of  the  task  brought  about  these  constant  changes  of  regulations.  Sev 
enteen  colonies  were  established  by  the  Government  in  Ekaterinoslav 
between  1848  and  1855,  and  the  system  which  the  Government  prao 
ticed  was  to  settle  them  on  vast  steppe  lands  of  the  unsettled  Alexan 
drav  and  Maripol  districts  of  Ekaterinoslav.  The  settlers  were  emi 
grants  from  Vitebsk,  Wilna,  Kovno,  Grodno,  but  mainly  jQ:om  IMohilev 
situated  in  the  northern  part  of  old  Poland.  As  a  matter  of  course 
these  people  were  not  acquainted  with  the  work  when  they  left  ther 
native  places.  All  the  emigrants  were  on  equal  footing,  but  they  dif 
j'ered  in  possibilities  of  adapting  themselves  to  the  new  mode  of  life 
To  the  former  inhabitants  of  the  towns  and  townlets  of  the  Gubernia' 
from  which  they  emigrated,  the  new  i^laces  seemed  strange  in  everj 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    173 

respect.  They  found  notliing  on  tlie  land,  and  a  few  years  passed  be- 
fore they  built  dwellings  for  themselves.  Then  they  were  erected  by 
the  colonists  under  the  inspection  of  si^ecially  appointed  Eussian  offi- 
!)ials,  70  roubles  (about  $35)  being  allowed  for  each  family,  taken  out  of 
:he  Jewish  meat- tax  fund. 

The  soil  of  there.uion  where  the  colonies  are  situated  is  a  black  earth, 
;)ut  the  climatic  and  atmospheric  conditions  of  the  steppe  region  are 
lot  favorable  for  successful  agriculture.  Frequent  droughts  destroy 
rthat  the  Land  produces,  so  that  on  an  average  tliere  is  only  one  year 
)Ut  of  five  whicli  yields  a  fair  crop.  The  great  disadvantages  are  lack 
:)f  wood  and  water,  there  being  little  good  water  in  any  of  the  colonies, 
\nd  total  lack  in  others.  In  several  of  the  colonies  it  is  necessary  to 
';irry  water  from  2  to  5  miles  even  for  watering  crops.*  The  oldest  of 
hese  colonies  were  without  exception  established  m  those  places  where 
here  was  no  water,  and  this  fact  alone  exi)lains  the  abandonment  of 
he  colonies  by  the  original  settlers  as  soon  as  they  found  that  there 

as  no  water,  and  why  they  returned  to  their  towns,  giving  up  all 
hought  of  the  new  mode  of  life.  With  such  unfavorable  conditions  which 
the  ])ioneers  of  agriculture  encountered,  houseless,  without  water,  and 
with  no  fuel,  there  is  nothiug  astonishing  at  their  deserting  the  place. 
They  could  not,  by  the  very  condition  of  things,  demonstrate  their  fit- 
ness for  agricultural  labor.  Better  results  were  to  be  expected  from 
the  second  generation,  those  born  and  raised  on  the  soil,  and  who  did 
^ot  spend  their  energies  in  becoming  adapted  to  the  new  method  of 
"life.  lu  comparing  the  official  data  with  the  actual  number  of  colonists 
living  there  in  1890,  we  find  a  great  many  discrei)ancies,  owing  to  the 
incomplete  and  superficial  statistics  so  common  to  Kussia.  According 
to  official  data  there  were  in  1890,  17  colonies  in  Ekaterinoslav,  with 
574  families,  showing  a  male  population  of  3,403,  and  females  3,772; 
total,  7,175.  But  actually  there  were  749  families,  with  a  total  popula- 
tion of  5,142,  2,744  males,  and  2,398  females;  39.4  per  cent  of  the  fami- 
lies have  over  0  men  in  each,  the  number  of  men  constituting  53.9  per 
cent  of  the  total  population.  Of  every  100  persons  03  are  workers,  of 
all  those  who  have  reached  an  age  enabling  them  to  work. 

The  fiuctuations  in  the  proi)ortions  of  success  of  workers  in  seven- 
teen colonies  do  not  present  any  striking  changes  from  time  to  time, 
so  that  it  undoubtedly  represents  the  normal  distribution  of  success 
and  workers  in  these  colonies.  It  is  interesting  to  note  a  circumstance 
often  met  with  among  Jews;  the  abnormal  distribution  of  workers 
and  nonworkers  in  a  family;  tbat  is  to  say,  the  overburdening  of  the 
family  with  minors.  This  is  not  to  be  seen  here.  The  high  percentage 
)f  complex  families  (39.4  \)er  cent)  tends  also  to  show  a  normal  develop- 
ment of  rural  life.  We  can  not  leave  this  fact  unnoticed  when  the 
reproach  is  so  often  heard  that  the  Jews  were  leaving  their  colonies  for 
adjoining  towns  to  engage  in  trade  or  business.  If  this  were  true  the 
existence  of  complex  families  could  not  be  easily  explained.  In  urban 
iite,  while  engaged  in  business  or  trade,  complex  families  are  very 
seldom  met  with.  They  disperse;  and  this  would  necessarily  hai)pen 
in  the  colonies  if  agriculture  were  not  the  constant  occupation  of  the 
•olonists.  Agriculture  alone  requires  the  collective  work  of  a  family 
,to  make  it  successful.  It  aggregates  the  workers  in  an  organized  unit, 
plough  originally  30  dissiatinas  (00  acres)  were  allowed  to  each  family, 
55  being  arable  land,  13  pasture,  and  2  for  building  purposes  and  roads, 
they  actually  received  only  23  dissiatinas,  or  3.35  for  each  soul.  The 
aumber  of  dissiatinas  originally  allowed  to  all  the  colonies  was  27,825, 
p.bout  5">,650  acres,  which  was  gradually  reduced  to  17,230  dissiatinas, 

'  The  water  ie  drawn  in  carts  filled  with  tubs  and  barrels. 
H.  Ex.  »7 47 


174     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

the  balance  reverting  to  the  Government.  The  difference  between  the 
land  grants  to  the  Jewish  colonists  and  the  adjoining  German  or  Greel 
colonists  is  very  great.  In  these  latter  each  family  was  provided  by 
the  Government  with  60  dissiatinas.  and  some  had  even  as  many  ai 
20  dissiatinas  per  head. 

The  colonists,  however,  did  not  restrict  themselves  to  cultivating 
their  own  land,  for  it  Avas  not  sufficient  to  maintain  them.  In  conse 
quence  of  frequent  subdivisions  of  the  land  there  are  farms  consisting 
of  only  5  dissiatinas  of  arable  land.  Under  these  circumstances  tliej 
have  been  compelled  to  hire  adjoining  Government  lands  in  quantities 
nearly  equal  to  their  own  possessions,  or,  to  be  accurate,  13,487^  dissia 
tinas,  which  they  cultivate,  not  for  the  sake  of  speculation,  but  with  { 
desire  to  apply  all  their  labor.  The  fact  that  they  em]>loy  outside  helj 
to  the  number  of  131  men  does  not  militate  against  the  above,  as  they 
are  generally  employed  by  the  excei)tionally  well-situated  families,  wh( 
lease  land  in  large  quantities.  The  fact  that  the  Jewish  colonist,  be 
sides  cultivating  his  own  land,  does  not  find  any  other  outlet  for  bid 
labor  except  in  agriculture,  demonstrates  that  rural  labor  has  becom« 
their  onl,y  calling.  It  is  noteworthy  to  remark  that  since  the  promul 
gation  of  the  May  laws  of  1882  the  Jews  have  been  deprived  of  th( 
right  to  lease  land  directly  from  the  Government,  and  must  lease  it,  i^ 
at  all,  from  second  hands,  namely,  from  the  German  colonists,  and  con 
sequently  they  are  compelled  to  pay  higher  rent  for  their  lands.  For 
merly  the  whole  community  guarantied  for  each  lessee,  who  was  no 
tlien  required  to  deposit  money  for  security;  but  since  the  promulgai 
tion  of  the  May  laws  the  Jewish  community  as  a  whole  have  beei. 
deprived  of  the  right  to  go  on  bonds  for  a  lessee,  and  thus  every  colo 
nist  desiring  to  lease  land  from  the  Government,  but  not  having  th- 
necessary  money  for  security,  has  to  resort  to  the  help  of  their  Germain 
neighbors,  who  lease  the  land  from  the  Government  and  afterward; 
re-lease  it  to  the  Jews  at  a  higher  rate  of  rent.  This  subdivision  showi 
that  the  development  of  the  calling  is  i*egular,  and  that  the  growinj 
population,  finding  their  land  grants  insufficient  for  them,  have  an  out; 
let  for  their  labor  on  the  leased  lands  adjoining.*  j 

The  number  of  those  who  thus  lease  land  is  46  per  cent  of  the  whol| 
population,  which  fact  refutes  the  assertion   made  that  only  a  fe^; 
colonists,  keeping  large  farms,  cultivate  the  whole  laud  of  the  colony 
It  will  be  seen  that  nearly  one-half  of  the  colonists  lease  land,  anr 
even  this  is  not  sufficient  for  their  needs.    There  are  a  few  individual 
Avho  cultivate  land  grants  belonging  to  others,  but  this  does  not  detrac 
from  the  fact  that  one-half  of  the  colonists  lease  lands  for  cultivatioi: 
in  addition  to  their  own.     Out  of  the  whole  number  of  colonists  therj 
are  only  7  per  cent  who  do  not  cultivate  their  own  lands,  and  these  an 
widows,  orphans,  infirm,  or  those  who  have  no  workers  in  their  fami lie.': 
The  number  of  neglected  farms  is  insignificant.     Among  those  who  d 
not  cultivate  their  own  lands  there  are  some  artisans  necessary  to  suj; 
I)ly  the  wants  of  a  population  of  5,000  people  situated  far  from  town 
and  manufacturing  centers,  necessary  to  supply  the  colonists  wit 
those  things  absolutely  essential  to  their  welfare.  i 

Having  given  the  data  about  the  method  of  farming,  we  shall  df| 
scribe  the  results  of  it.  As  we  said  before,  the  original  settlers  did  no( 
have  either  cattle  or  agricultural  implements  nor  capital.  What  pOJ' 
sessions  were  acquired  was  by  agricultural  labor,  and  as  a  result  c| 
sn(;h  labor.  If  what  he  acquired  was  the  result  of  commercial  pui( 
suits,  he  would  probably  have  contiliued  in  that  employment  and  woul-j 

*  Since  the  promulgation  of  the  ''May  laws"  leasing  land  to  Jews  has  been  stoppe 
in  all  the  gubernia. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    175 

Ty  to  increase  his  wealth  by  the  same  methods.  In  every  business 
he  standard  of  efficiency  is  measured  by  the  inventory  of  the  capital 
employed  in  the  business.  The  same  method  must  be  applied  to  farm- 
ng,  and  stock  taken  of  the  agricultural  property,  buildings,  cattle, 
mplements,  etc.  In  these  communities  we  find  buildings,  which  are  in 
]^ood  condition,  numbering  487;  in  fair  condition,  577;  in  bad  con- 
lition,  124.  Of  the  749  farms,  389  have  agricultural  machines.  By 
bese  we  mean  imi)lements  with  a  complex  mechanism,  as  harvesting, 
hreshing  machines,  etc.  More  than  207  farms  have  a  greater  number 
lian  one  such  machine.  There  are  172  mowing  machines,  110  straw 
•utters;  other  complex  machines,  269. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  newly  established  colonists — for 
nstance,  newly  married  ccmples  who  have  branched  off  from  their  fami- 
ies  and  are  farming  on  their  own  account — have  not  yet  acquired  a  com- 
)lete  outfit  of  implements  for  their  own  uSe,  and  therefore  borrow  from 
heir  neighbors.  Some  of  the  colonists  buy  agricultural  machines  in 
•ommon,  not  being  a])le  to  purchase  for  themselves.  This  will  explain 
^'hy  the  number  of  such  machines  is  less  than  the  number  of  farms.  It 
yould  be  no  exaggeration  to  assert  that  the  great  majority  of  Russian 
)casant  farms  have  no  agricultural  implements;  many  of  them  do  not 
)wn  even  a  plow  but  use  what  they  call  a  "socha,"  a  sort  of  plow  much 
used  by  the  Russian  peasants.  In  the  colonies  there  is  at  least  one 
;ood  plow  on  every  farm,  also  a  harrow,  and  a  vehicle  of  some  kind, 
generally  furnished  with  springs  and  of  a  good  make,  worth  from  80  to 
12(^  roubles.  Eighty-one  per  cent  of  the  colonists  own  horses.  Domestic 
attle,  such  as  cows,  sheep,  etc.,  are  found  on  617  farms.  Only  16  per 
ent  have  none.  We  may  therefore  assume  that  domesticity  and-home 
ife  have  taken  root  here.  The  total  number  of  working  cattle  of  all 
diuls  in  the  colonies  is  12,365.  Better  proof  of  domesticity  and  good 
iirming  can  not  be  found  in  the  best  villages  of  the  orthodox  peasants 
H  the  same  region.  Every  home  has  an  orchard  and  a  garden.  There 
ire  good  cellars  to  houses,  while  domestic  fowls  abound.  The  method 
)fthe  cultivation  of  land  in  the  colonies  can  not  be  called  rational; 
)wing  to  insnfticieucy  of  land,  they  are  compelled  to  use  their  fields 
K  pilternatively — the  first  year  with  w^heat,  second  with  rye,  third  oats — 
ifiot  affording  any  rest  to  the  soil.  This  method,  of  course,  exhausts 
be  soil,  and  the  frequent  drougths,  absence  of  forests,  and  consequently 
of  moisture,  results  in  poor  crops.  Of  manure  there  is  none,  as  the 
Ai  JBxcrescence  is  used  as  fuel. 

'   Those  who  besides  using  their  own  land  have  heretofore  leased  from  the 

Government  engaged  in  the  three-crop  system,  and  also  raise  sheep  and 

cattle,  thereby  permitting  a  i^ortion  of  the  land  to  rest.    The  Russian 

v^i   [)easants  in  tlie  vicinity  having  more  land,  divide  th eir  fields  into  tw  o  por- 

ii;   tions,  one  of  which  is  under  cultivation  for  three  years,  while  the  other 

r  1    3ne  rests  for  that  period  and  is  used  as  pasture  land.     This  rational 

-:   method  can  not  be  resorted  to  by  the  Jewish  colonists  because  of  the 

•  r  [ninimum  subdivision  of  their  fields.     Of  the  colonists  engaged  in  tilling 

.  T   the  soil  there  are  thirty-six  who  are  also  artisans,  who  work  at  their 

trades  in  leisure  hours.    After  taking  into  consideration  all  the  hardships 

ill  iind  the  poverty  of  the  original  settlers  who  are  still  alive,  we  must  say 

;  i!  that  they  are  more  than  satisfactory  so  far  as  solving  the  problem  of 

;t.i»  whether  Jews  are  or  can  be  agriculturists.     The  second  generation,  who 

j  lare  actively  engaged  in  work,  now  represent  a  picture  of  rural  life  and  a 

i  comparatively  high  grade  of  agricultural  labor.    The  material  ])rosperity 

ti  lof  the  com ninnity  presents  a  satisfiictory  result  of  exclusive  agricultural 

^  >vork.    It  is  noteworthy  that  among  a  population  of  over  5,000  souls 

"^i*  there  is  no  foreign  element,  the  work  being  exclusively  perfortned  by  the 


176    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Jewish  colonists.  Tbere  is  not  a  better  refutation  of  the  prevailir 
o])inion  that  Jews  are  not  able  to  perform  physical  labor  or  become  agi 
culturists. 


1 


POPULATION  OF  CITIES,   TOWNS,   AND    TOWNLETS    IN    THE    FIFTEEN    GUBE 
NIA  COMPRISING  THE  PALE  OF  JEWISH  SETTLEMENT, 


Capital   Kishineflf              

1.  Bessarabia. 

130,000 

District  t'jwn: 

41,000 

33,  000 

7,000 

12,  000 

is;  000 

11,  000 

Or*j-heiff 

Coroki 

Klioten 

Biel  i 

122, 000 
8,934 

7  townlets 

2.   Wilna. 

CaT)ital  Wilna 

102,000 

District  town: 
Wileiko 

4,000 
3,000 
5,000 
8,000 
8,000 
4,000 
9,000 
2,000 

Rad  ish  ke  wizi _ .  _ 

Draja        

Disna       _  _       

Lida           _       -   .  -  

Oshmiani 

Swenzani 

Troki 

103  townlets 

43,000 
72,479 

55, 000 

Capital.  Vitebsk 

e.  Vitehslc. 

District  town: 

Surash             __     .     

5,000 
17,  000 

6,000 
70,  000 

3,  500 
6,000 
7,000 
6,000 

10,  000 

4,  000 
19,000 

Wei  ish 

Goroclok 

D  inaburg 

Drissa 

Lepel 

Nevel 

Luzin 

Recziza 

Seb?sh.. 

Polotzk 

153,  500 
5,564 

55,  000 

34  townlets 

Capital.  Zitomir 

A.   Volhynia. 

District  town : 

Vladimir  Volyn 

Diibno  - - _ 

9,000 
7,000 
12,000 
14,  000 
12,  000 
14,  OCO 
17, 000 
7,000 

17,  000 
7,000 

18,  000 

Zaslawl 

Kovel. 

Kremcnetz 

Novgoiad  -- - 

Lutzk 

O vruch 

Ostrog 

Rowno 

St  -rokrn  tantinoff 

- 

134,000 
109,  406 

130  townlets 

260,9 


217,4 


214,  C 


298, 4it 


il 


ENFORCEMENT   OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 
5.  Grodno, 


177 


Capital,  Grodno. 40,000 

District  town: 

Brest  Litowsk--- 40,000 

Bjalo-tok : 50,  700 

Gondios - _ 4,000 

^^;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::f  ^.ooo 

Briansk _ 2,000 

Drajichin 1,000 

Klescheli- - .._  2,000 

Melnik 1,000 

Vareff.--. 2,000 

Wolkowick _. 7,000 

Kobrin 8,000 

Prushani _ 7,000 

Slonim 22,000 

Sokalki 4,000 

Wasilkoff I  o  000 

Dombrowa... ]  ' 

KoDitzin 1,000 

Ku-nizitza 2,000 

Hob/odwor 2,000 

Odelsk 2,000 

Bielsk 7,000 

Sukhowol 3,000 

YanofE 3,000 

180, 700 

GStownlets... 91,164 


311, 8G4 


6.  Kiev, 


Capital,  Kiev .66,000 

District  town: 

Berdvcheff 57,000 

VasilkofF 18,000 

Zwenig-ovodka 11,  000 

Kaneff 9,000 

Lipowetz 8,000 

Radomysl 6,000 

Skevira- 16,000 

Saraschd 16,000 

Ouman--- 16,000 

Tcherkassy 21,000 

ScMghirin 16,000 

104,000 

105  townlets 212,007 


572,007 


7.  Kovno. 

Capital,  Kovno 50,000 

District  town: 

Vilkomir 16,000 

Novo-Aloxandrovsk 7,000 

Poniewesh 18,000 

Rossicui. 11,000 

Telshi- 11,000 

Shawli... 21,000 

84. 000 

15  townlets 98,904 


232, 004 


178  ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

8.  Minsk, 

Capital,  Minsk 68,000 

District  town: 

Bobruisk 57,000 

Bovisoff.. - -... 17,000 

Ig-umen - 1-- 4,000 

Mosir ----      10,000 

Novojrudok 12,000 

Pinsk 28,000 

Slutzk 19,000 

Riechiza-. 7,000 

154,000 

86  townlets _ 37,990 

259,991 

9.  Mohilev. 

Capital,  Mohiler 42,000 

District  town: 

Bykhow 6,000 

Gomel. 26,000 

Gorki _ 5,000 

Klmoviehi 4,000 

Mstislowl _ 8,000 

Orsha 5,000 

Rogaerew 4,000 

Lienno _ 3,000 

Tchaussi 5,000 

Tcherikow 4,000 

70, 000 

75  townlets- _ 30,496 

148, 4£ 

10.  Podolsk, 

Capital,  Kamenetz  .-_ _ _ 36,000 

District  towns: 


Bratztavl _..        7,300 

Vintiza 19,000 

Haysin 10,000 

Letichew _._ 6,000 

Litin 9,000 

Mohileff 18,000 

Olgopol 6,000 

Proskuroff _ 18,000 

Novja-Ulitzta 5,000 

Yampol-- 5,000 

136,300 

107  townlets _ _ 161,345 

333,64 

11.  Poltava. 

Capital,  Poltava 42,000 

District  towns: 

Hadiach 9,000 

Zenkow _ 14,000 

Zolotonoska 8,000 

Robeliaki __ 14,000 

Constantinograd __ _ 7,000 

Kremencrag 42,000 

Lokhwitza 10,000 

Lubui... 10,000 

Mirgorod 9,000  I 

Pereyaslawl ___ 14,  000 

Priluki..__ 15,000  , 

Piriaten -5,000  I 

Romni _ _._ 13,000  1 

Khovol. 6,000 

177,000 

28  townlets 105,407 

324,4< 


L 


ENFORCEMENT    OP    ALIEN   CONTRACT    LABOR   LAWS.  179 

12.  Taurida. 

Capital,  Simferopol 36,000 

District  towns : 

Berdiansk.- 20,000 

Aleshki 9,000 

Eupatoria - 16,000 

Perekop 7,000 

Yalta 4,000 

Theodosia 12,000 

68, 000 

5townlets 13,366 

117,366 

13.  Cherson. 

Capital,  Cherson 64,000 

District  towns : 

Alexandria 10,500 

Ananiew 14,400 

Elizabethgrad. 58.000 

Odessa.--- 240.000 

Tiraspol 24,000 

346,900 

23townlet3 02,920 

473,820 

14.  Tchernigov. 

iCapital,  Czernijoff 27,000 

District  towns : 

Borsna--. 14,000 

Glukhow 17,000 

Gorodnia _ 4,000 

Kosjletz  -- 5,000 

Konotop  --_ 18,000 

Maglin-. _ 11,000 

No vozy bkow 42,  000 

No vgorod-Lie wersk 8,  000 

Neishin--. _ - 44,000 

Oster--_ _ 4,000 

Sysnitza.- 6,000 

Storodul _ - 24,000 

Surage _ 5,000 

Krolewz 9,000 

211,000 

23towulet3 89,077 

327,077 

15.  Ekateriiwslav. 

Capital,  Katerinos 47,005 

District  towns :  , 

Alexandrovvsk 7,000 

Bachmuth 12,000 

Wet'chue-Duieprowsk 7,500 

Mariumpol _ 17,000 

Novomoskovsk  -._ 18,000 

Povlograd 15,000 

Slavianoserbsk 5,000 

81, 500 

6  townleta 22,701 

151,261 


1 


REPORT  OF  COMMISSIONER  JUDSON  N.  CROSS. 


Kew  York,  January  20,  1892. 

Sm :  In  accordance  with  your  appointment  of  May  13,  1891,  and  your 
verbal  ill striu'tious  of  June  11, 1S91,  and  subsequent  printed  instructions 
of  June  8, 1891,  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  commissioners  for  the  pur- 
pose of  investigating  in  Europe  the  subject  of  immigration  to  tlii^  United 
States,  I  would  respectfully  report  that  I  went  to  Europe,  landing  at 
Queen  stow n  June  20,  on  my  way  to  meet  the  other  commissioners 
named  by  you  at  London,  and  .as  had  been  suggested  I  sj^ent  several 
days  in  southern  Ireland,  then  proceeded  to  Dublin.  Afterwards,  in 
company  with  Commissioner  Powderly,  I  went  pretty  thoroughly  over 
Ireland  from  south  to  north,  the  results  of  which  trips  I  will  name  be- 
low. I  then  proceeded  to  London  (stopping  a  day  at  IS^orth  Wales), 
where  I  arrived  on  the  27th  day  of  June.  I  found  that  only  one  com- 
missioner had  preceded  me.  Dr.  Walter  Kempster. 

In  North  Wales,  at  the  city  of  Bangor,  I  was  told  that  men  were 
offering  to  take  young  women  to  Philadelphia,  in  the  United  States,  on 
condition  that  the  young  women  w^ould  pay  their  fare  to  London,  where 
they  would  be  provided  steamship  transi^ortation  to  Philadelphia,  on 
their  agreeing  to  work  three  months  wherever  they  were  found  work,  to 
repay  the  passage  money.  The  fore  to  London  from  Bangor,  where  I 
was  given  this  information  by  a  young  woman,  was  said  to  be  10s.  1 
could  not  get  the  names  of  the  persons  making  these  offers. 

On  arriving  at  London  I  informed  United  States  Consul-General  John 
0.  New  of  this  information,  and  he  at  once  very  kindly  undertook  to 
investigate  the  matter  among  the  steamship  companies  sailing  from 
London.  He  reported  to  me  that  he  could  not  learn  of  any  steamshii) 
company  in  London  making  any  offers  or  arrangements  of  that  kindj 
and  he  also  said  that  the  agents  of  the  steamship  companies  there 
thought  that  if  there  was  anything  of  that  kind  being  done,  that  it 
must  be  only  in  individual  cases  by  agents  of  tramp  steamers,  and  pos- 
sibly for  immoral  purposes.  I  Tvas  afterwards  unable  to  return  to 
North  Wales  to  get  more  definite  information  in  reference  to  the  matter. 

As  we  were  aware  that  the  chairman  of  our  board  could  not  arrive  for 
several  days,  w^e  each  proceeded  to  do  such  work,  under  your  instruc- 
tions, as  we  might  do  individually  before  the  board  could  be  organized. 
I  learned  that  on  account  of  the  change  in  the  tariff'  on  tin  in  the  United 
States  there  was  liable  to  be  large  numbers  of  emigrants  from  the  tin- 
mining  districts  of  Cornwall  and  the  tin-manufacturing  districts  in 
South  Wales.  1  therefore  proceeded  to  visit  the  Cornwall  tin-mining 
districts,  where  I  found  that  there  was  not  likely  to  be  any  diminution 
of  the  production  of  tin  in  these  ancient  mines,  as  only  about  one  ton 
in  ten  of  the  tin  ore  used  by  the  Welsh  tin  manufacturers  in  the  United 
States  is  produced  in  Cornwall,  and  therefore,  while  the  production  of 

181 


182    ENFOKCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

tin  plates  iu  South  Wales  might  be  greatly  affected  by  the  Americi 
tariff,  iu  all  probability  the  production  of  tin  iu  Cornwall  would  not 
affected  at  all.    I  found  that  there  was  no  special  emigration  from  tl 
mining  districts  of  Cornwall  to  the  United  States  other  than  what  hi 
been  going  on  for  the  last  forty  year^,  as  experienced  miners  from  Corn- 
wall are  continually  going  to  mining  districts  all  over  the  world. 

In  the  Cornwall  mining  districts  I  met  a  lawyer  from  one  of  the  larj 
cities  iu  Great  Britain,  who  was  thoroughly  conversant  in  regard 
the  tin-mining  and  tin-manufacturing  interests  in  Great  Britain,  a] 
was  himself  interested  in  some  tin  producing  interests.    He  informi 
me,  what  had  been  also  published  in  the  newspapers,  that  nearly 
of  the  manufacturing  establishments  in  South  Wales  were  shut  do^ 
for  a  month;  that  he  knew  that  there  were  then  negotiations  pendi; 
between  large  owners  of  tin  mines  in  the  United  States  and  the  owni 
of  tin-manufacturing  establishments  in  South  Wales,  relating  to 
moving  of  their  plants  and  skilled  workmen  to  the  United  States,  ai 
that  this  proposition  was  then  being  discussed  at  a  meeting,  at  Bi 
mingham,  of  the  metal  manufacturing  masters  of  Great  Britain. 

This  gentleman  informed  me  that  this  proposition  had  been  made 
these  owners  of  American  tin  mines  for.the  removal  of  tlieir  plants  ai 
laborers  to  the  United  States  for  the  purpose  of  suggesting  a  relief 
the  embarrassments  impending  the  tin  interests  of  Great  Britain.  Tli 
proposition  proposed  the  removal  to  the  United  States  of  about  3,01 
tin  workmen  from  near  Swansea,  where  there  are  about  30,000  wor] 
men  engaged  in  the  various  tin-producing  interests. 

From  the  Cornwall  districts  I  proceeded  to  the  tin-manufacturin^'i 
districts  in  South  Wales,  which  had  Swansea  for  their  center.  Here,  ati 
Morristown,  I  found  that  thirty-eight  of  the  forty-two  works  engaged  iu 
manufacturing  tin  plate,  including  the  steelworks  for  making  the  plate 
itself,  were  shut  down  for  one  montb.  I  found  the  masters  themselves, 
mostly  absent  at  Birmingham.  The  four  works  which  were  continuing 
operations  were  working  wholly  on  continental  orders  and  were  not 
engaged  in  the  American  trade.  I  talked  with  a  good  many  of  the 
men  engaged  in  the  works,  as  all  were  idle.  It  was  being  talked  thati 
if  many  were  encouraged  to  go  to  the  United  States  that  the  single  mcD 
genersdly  would  probably  go  first,  and  many  expressed  their  wish  that 
arrangements  might  be  made  by  which  some  of  their  i)lants  might  bej 
removed  to  the  United  States.  i 

I  found  a  very  general  discussion  among  all  the  workmen  in  reference] 
to  the  situation  regarding  the  tin  interests  in  and  about  Swansea,] 
Morristown,  and  other  places,  and  the  United  States.  I  found  alsol 
that  the  tin  masters  were  proi)osing  to  send  a  large  force  of  tinsmiths 
from  Great  Britain  to  China  to  manufacture  on  the  spot  tin  tea  chests 
for  the  China  trade,  in  order  to  induce  the  Chinese  tea  merchants  audi 
growers  to  use  tin  tea  chests  for  packing,  as  it  was  supposed  the  same 
would  be  far  less  bulky  and  more  air-tight  for  sea  voyages  than  the 
ordinary  wooden  packages,  with  lead  lining,  usually  used  in  transi^ort- 
ing  tea  from  China  across  the  sea  to  distant  lands.  They  proposed  in 
this  way  to  change  the  whole  system  of  transporting  tea  from  China,  ini 
a  way  to  preserve  it  as  nearly  as  possible  from  the  inlluence  of  salt  air, 
preserving  to  the  tea  the  same  delicious  flavor  that  is  preserved  to  the ' 
tea  transported  across  the  steppes  of  Asia  from  China  to  Kussia.  ' 

This  was  one  of  the  principal  plans  then  being  talked  of  to  keep  intact 
the  great  tin  interests  of  Great  Britain,  to  provide  employment  for  the 
great  tin  plants,  and  to  keep  at  home  the  workers  in  tin  manufacturing 
who  have  heretofore  been  well  paid,  contented,  and  great  producers  oj 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    183 

^'ealtli  to  Great  Britain.  There  are  about  30,000  people  in  the  tin  man- 
ifacturing  interests  in  Sontli  Wales.  These  tin  workers  have  for  more 
than  twenty  years,  through  their  unions  maintained  a  steady  price, 
with  few  changes,  for  botli  piecework  and  day  work ;  and  if  the  mas- 
ters shall  succeed  in  opening  the  new  markets — whioh  was  then  being 
most  seriously  and  thoroughly  discussed  by  the  masters — then  there 
will  be  little  emigration  among  the  tin  workers  to  the  United  States, 
except  x^ossibly  of  what  might  be  called  individual  cases. 

I  fonnd  the  feeling  very  general  among  the  tin  workers  at  that  time, 
that  if  there  should  be  a  general  demoralization  in  the  working  of  the 
igTeat  plants  engaged  in  manufacturing  tin,  and  tin  material  in  South 
Wales,  that  there  would  probably  be  a  general  seeking  of  employment 
iu  the  United  States  by  the  workmen  themselves. 

I  afterwards,  in  August,  visited  South  Wales  and  made  a  more  thor- 
ough investigation  concerning  the  prospects  of  the  emigration  of  tin 
iworkers  from  South  Wales  to  the  United  States;  the  results  of  which 
will  be  found  below  on  this  report. 

I  then  proceeded  to  London  and  found  that  as  there  had  been  a 
change  in  the  chairman  of  our  committee,  and  that  Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 
•who  had  succeeded  Gen.  Grosvenor,  could  not  arrive  for  a  week  or  ten 
idays,  I  proceeded  to  Scotland  to  investigate  in  reference  to  the  infor- 
mation 1  had  that  thousands  of  masons  go  from  Scotland  every  year  in 
.'the  spring  to  the  large  Atlantic  seaboard  cities  to  work  during  the 
I  season  and  to  return  in  the  fall  to  spend  their  winters  and  their  wages 
at  their  homes  in  Scotland.     I  visited  Ediuburg,  Aberdeen,  Inverness, 
land  some  smaller  towns,  but  owing  to  the  fact  that  I  was  compelled  to 
be  in  London  within  so  short  a  time,  I  could  not  give  this  matter  in 
i Scotland  as  long  a  time  as  I  desired;  but  I  found  that  great  numbers 
'of  masons  especially,  as  well  as  other  tradesmen,  go  from  Scotland 
'every  year  in  the  si)ring,  usually  sailing  from  Glasgow  to  the  United 
'  States,  for  the  purpose  of  working  for  the  very  much  higher  wages 
;  received  in  the  United  States  than  in  Scotland. 

j     The  wages  generally  in  the  large  cities  in  Scotland  are  from  7  to  8 

i  pence  per  hour,  for  nine  hours  per  day,  or  about  $1.50  per  daj^,  while 

'  in  the  United  States  they  received  from  $1:  to  85  per  day  as  is  well 

f  known.    They  pay  $17.50  for  passage  each  way,  which  includes  board; 

so  that  during  the  season  of  six  or  eight  months  in  the  United  States 

they  can  earn  far  more  than  during  the  year  in  Scotland,  yet  go  and 

!  come  each  way  and  have  four  months'  rest  with  their  families.    And  I 

also  learned  that  by  buying  a  return  ticket  they  got  a  cheaper  passage 

!  than  $17.50;  and  they  are  sometimes  able  to  get  in  one  or  two  months 

j  work  in  Great  Britain  after  they  return  from  the  United  States. 

I     I  am  informed  by  Commissioner  Powderly  and  Commissioner  Schul- 

tiesthat  a  person  of  high  authority  on  labor  questions  in  Great  Britain 

'  informed  them  that  these  birds  of  passage,  working  in  America  during 

i  the  best  of  the  season,  often  sadly  interfere  with  the  workers  in  Great 

•  Britain  late  in  the  season,  by  competing  with  them,  on  account  of 
'  returning  too  early  from  America.     Commissioner  Powderly  in  his 

;  report  gives  the  figures  from  the  Government  Board  of  Trade  Eeport 

'  of  Great  Britain  as  being  370,097  British  and  Irish  return  passengers 

from  the  United  States  during  the  years  from  1881  to  1889,  inclusive, 

and  the  steerage  emigrants  from  the  United  States  to  Great  Britain  had 

•  increased  from  20,048  in  1879  to  71,392  in  1889,  or  over  250  per  cent  in 
I  ten  years,  and  91,000  steerage  x)assengers  went  from  New  York,  Boston, 

and  Philadelphia,  to  Liverpool  and  Glasgow  during  the  year  ending 


184    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


1 


June  30,  1891,  four-fiftlis  of  whom  the  steamboat  owners  estimate  will 
return  to  tbe  United  States. 

Aberdeen,  Scotland,  has  produced  a  great  many  masons  who  are  a 
stonecutters;  the  great  granite  quarries  being  at  Petershead  only  abi 
30  miles  away.  A  Lowell,  Mass.,  jonrnalist,  who  had  relatives  n 
Petershead,  told  me  that  he  had  often  been  there  in  years  past  and  w 
now  stopping  near  there;  that  he  had  then  lately  visited  one  quairy 
Avhere  there  were  only  about  35  men  employed,  in  which  there  had  been 
prior  to  our  late  tariff  on  granite,  several  hundred  men  employed.  I 
was  told  by  many  masons  that  formerly  they  had  to  pay  $12.50  to  join 
the  mason's  union  in  New  York  and  other  cities;  but  that  during  the 
past  year  it  had  been  raised  to  $25 ;  and  this  was  accounted  for  by 
some  of  them  from  the  fact  that  most  of  the  masons  from  that  region 
of  country  were  both  masons  and  stonecutters,  and  they  had  to  join 
two  unions  and  pay  $12.50  each. 

The  masons  at  Aberdeen  informed  me  that  there  was  not  so  large  a 
movement  to  the  United  States  during  the  present  year  as  formerly, 
and  as  a  reaoou  for  that  gave:  First,  the  knowledge  that  the  laws  of 
tlie  United  States  prohibited  contract  labor,  and  some  of  them  did  n 
like  to  go  to  the  United  States  without  having  an  assurance  of  wor 
second,  on  account  of  liaving  to  pay  $25,  instead  of  $12.50  as  former! 
to  tlie  American  unions. 

I  only  mention  these  two  facts  to  show  what  reasons  are  given  f( 
the  diminution  in  numbers,  and  to  show  how  small  a  barrier  prevents 
euiigration  to  distant  lands.     Of  course,  no  record  has  ever  been  kept 
anywhere  of  the  number  of  this  class  of  emigrants.     My  information  '■ 
was  obtained  from  masons,  masons'  helpers,  business  men,  and  others.  i 

I  afterwards  obtained  information  in  reference  to  similar  movements 
of  people  going  from  ditlerent  parts  of  Great  Britain,  Holland,  Switzer- 
land, and  Italy,  which  I  shall  refer  to  hereafter.  It  is  a  movement 
which  is  generally  well  known  in  the  localities  from  which  the  work- 
men go,  and  in  the  localities  in  which  the  workmen  work  in  the  great 
cities  of  the  United  States.  ^  ' 

In  a  general  way  I  found  that  from  Edinburgh  and  its  vicinity  went 
masons  and  i^lunibers  very  largely;  from  Aberdeen  and  most  of  the 
large  towns  and  cities  went  masons  and  stonecutters;  while  from  Glas- 
gow there  went  mostly  masons  and  painters;  while  carpenters  and 
other  mechanics  go  in  more  or  less  numbers  from  all  of  the  towns  and 
cities. 

Having  learned  by  telegram,  July  19,  while  in  Scotland,  that  Hon.  ' 
John  B.  Weber,  the  chairman  of  our  Board  had  arrived  in  London  on  j 
Saturday,  the  18th  day  of  July,  I  proceeded  to  London  on  Monday,  the  j 
20th,  where  I  found  on  my  arrival  Tuesday  morning  that  the  other  mem- '' 
bers  of  tlie  Board  had  met  on  Monday,  the  20th,  and  decided  that  after 
the  Board  had  visited  Liverpool  the  next  day,  July  21,  that  the  work  ' 
concerning  the  object  of  the  Commission  in  the  balance  of  Great  Britain, 
France,  Switzerland,  and  Italy  had  been  assigned  to  Commissioner  I 
Powderly,  Commissioner  Schulties  and  myself,  Commissioner  Scbulties  [ 
to  go  to  some  parts  of  Germany;  and  that  the  chairman  and  Commis-  j 
sioner  Kempster  were  to  take  the  balance  of  Europe.     I  immediately 
joined  the  other  members  of  the  Commission,  except  Commissioner  ■ 
Schulties,  and  proceeded  with  them  to  Liverpool.     Concerning  what  the 
Board  did  there  as  a  Board  is  given  in  the  general  report  of  the  Com-  1 
mission;  I  will  therefore  not  speak  of  it  here.     It  was  decided  that  ' 
Commissioner  Powderly  and  myself  should  remain  a  few  days  at  Liver- 
pool. 


HI 

I 


ENFO.RCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS.  185 

At  Liverpool  Coiiimissiouer  Powclerly  and  myself  were  present  on 
the  Arizona  J  by  invitation,  to  observe  the  inspection  of  emigrants,  life- 
boats, and  the  condition  of  the  boat  by  the  Government  snrgeons, 
iboat's  surgeons,  and  Government  olhcials.  As  the  safe,  proper,  and 
isanitary  condition  of  emigrants  from  the  various  European  countries 
;to  the  United  States  was  not  a  matter  contained  in  your  instructions 
to  our  Board,  I  shall  not  in  this  re^Dort  refer  to  any  of  the  conditions 
Telating  to  the  safety,  the  health,  or  the  morality  of  the  emigrant  in 
their  passage  from  their  homes  to  the  United  States.  Our  only  reason 
for  accepting  the  invitations  from  the  steamboat  (companies,  on  occa- 
isions  of  the  inspection  of  the  boats  and  passengers  before  sailing,  was 
las  a  means  of  getting  information  concerning  objects  for  which  you 
created  the  Board,  as  contained  in  your  letters  of  instruction.  The 
Arizona  belongs  to  the  Guion  line,  which  has  always  had  a  monopoly 
of  carrying  the  Mormon  passengers  from  Europe  to  the  United  States. 

THE  MORMON  MOVETHENT. 

Liverpool  is  the  headquarters  in  Europe  of  Mormon  activity.  Brig- 
ham  Young,  jr.,  being  at  the  head  of  the  Mormon  Church  in  Europe 
,and  residing  at  Liverpool.  At  the  time  we  were  there  he  was  absent, 
but  Elder  Anderson,  one  of  the  "seventy"  of  the  Mormon  church,  was 
lin  charge,  and  took  Commissioner  Powderly  and  myself  to  the  office 
and  luinting  establishment  at  headquarters.  Elder  Anderson  answered 
(all  our  questions,  opened  his  books  which  related  to  immigration  mat- 
ters to  us,  and  seemed  willing  to  give  us  all  the  information  for  which 
we  asked.  He  also  gave  us  their  circulars  and  instructions  to  emi- 
grants. 

Elder  Anderson  freely  admitted  to  us  that  he  and  all  Mormons  be- 
lieved polygamy  to  be  right;  but  that  now  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States  had  decided  the  law  in  the  United  States  against  it  to  be 
constitutional,  that  the  church  had  adopted  a  rule  against  it  in  the 
United  States,  and  that  they  so  inform  their  converts.  He  further 
said  that  the  Mormon  Cliurch  teaches  that  the  Constitution  of  the 
.United  States  was  inspired,  but  that  until  they  had  a  definite  decision 
from  the  Sux)reme  Court  of  the  United  States  they  did  not  believe  that 
the  law  against  polygamy  was  constitutional.  I  asked  him  what  they 
preached  or  taught  their  converts  in  Europe  regarding  polygamy.  His 
answer  was  that  they  taught  nothing,  but  the  converts  usually  asked 
about  it;  that  the  Mormon  teachers  in  Europe  would  not  deny  their 
faith  when  asked  by  the  converts,  but  always  admitted  to  the  converts 
that  polygamy  was  right  by  divine  law;  that  the  same  was  against  the 
law  of  Great  Britain  and  the  law  of  the  United  States;  that  polygamy 
could  not  be  practiced  either  in  Great  Britain  or  the  United  States, 
;and  that  they  would  not  assist  or  encourage  any  Mormon  convert  to  go 
'from  Europe  to  the  United  States  if  they  did  not  intend  to  obey  the 
law  of  the  United  States  in  regard  to  polygamy  and  abstain  fr-im 
polygamous  marriages. 

j  Afterwards,  Elder  Anderson  called  at  our  hotel  to  say  that  an  outsider 
[who  was  not  a  Mormon  had  called  at  their  ofiice  to  get  assistance  to 
emigrate  to  the  United  States,  saying  that  he,  the  intending  emigrant, 
'.understood  that  the  Mormons  gave  aid  to  emigrants.  He  said  that  he 
had  come  to  us  to  make  it  i)lain,  if  he  had  not  done  so  already,  that  the 
Mormon  authorities  of  Europe  gave  no  assistance  to  anyone,  not  even 
to  Mormons.  They  had,  he  said,  arranged  a  fare  from  Liverpool  to  Salt 
Lake  and  other  points  in  that  region  of  country,  and  when  there  are  ia- 


186    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


1 


dividuals  enougli  they  send  a  man  with  them  as  a  guide,  to  look  aftc 
bnggage,  tickets,  and  other  matters.  When  an  outsider  wants  to  g 
with  them  tliey  charge  one  pound  more  than  the  cost  of  the  ticket,  i 
order  to  cover  the  ex])ense  of  tlie  guide. 

He  had,  prior  to  this,  left  at  our  hbtel  their  instructions  to  emigrant' 
except  the  one  regarding  polygamy,  which  he  said  had  been  sent  to  b 
explained  at  all  their  conferences  and  to  all  intending  emigrants. 

Elder  Anderson  also  said  that  his  residence  abroad  had  more  an« 
more  convinced  him  of  the  tenet  which  was  taught  in  their  church,  tha 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  was  inspired,  and  that  the  tall 
of  the  Mormons  in  Utah  of  the  high  justice  admiuistered  by  the  En 
glish  courts  was  fallacious.     He  gave  several  instances  wliich  cain>    I 
under  his  own  observation.     He  said  he  should  return  to  ''  Zion,"  as  ah   i 
America  is  called  by  the  Mormons  in  Europe,  with  the  feeling  that  ex    i 
cept  for  the  injustice  to  the  Mormons  through  the  ignorance  of  the  peo 
pie  generally  as  to  their  real  faith,  that  justice  was  more  equally  adinin 
istered  hi  the  United  States  than  in  Europe.     He  informed  us  that  tin 
Mormon  authorities  in  Europe  would  fully  carry  out  the  laws  of  th< 
United  States  on  the  subject  of  polygamy,  and  that  all  that  they  d( 
and  teach  in  this  regard,  and  the  instructions  which  they  give  in  theii 
circulars  and  at  their  conferences,  will  at  all  times  be  open  tn  the 
spection  of  the  authorities  of  the  United  States.     He  said  that  they  h 
4,000  members  of  the  Mormon  Church  in  the  British  Islands.    He  ga 
tiie  number  of  Mormons  who  have  gone  to  the  United  States,  as  showr 
by  his  books,  during  the  present  vear  as  137,  and  in  1890  as  437.  ; 

In  the  ''Latter-])ay  Saints'  IMillennial  Star,"  of  March  17,  1890,  pub( 
lished  at  Liverpool,  on  page  108,  may  be  found  a  notice  marked,  "Im^ 
portant — notice  and  instruction  to  our  emigrants,"  from  which  1  quote* 

We  must  continue  in  liannony  with  the  emigration  laws,  both  of  this  country  ant 
the  United  Stntes,  and  as  we  are  under  the  jurisdiction  of  both,  we  desire  all  oui 
peoi)le  to  see  that  they  infringe  the  law  in  no  re8i)ect. 

Then  follows  a  fair  resume  of  our  law  upon  the  subject  of  emigrants.^ 
except  that,  as  Elder  Anderson  explained  to  us,  the  matter  in  referenc€j 
to  polygamy  was  explained  in  all  the  conferences  and  by  all  of  the 
teachers.  Tlie  prices  given  in  that  circular  gives  the  fare  from  Liver- 
pool to  Salt  Lake  City,  Ogden,  Provo,  and  Spanish  Fort  as  £12  156'.  Sd.^ 

In  this  relation  it  is  also  stated  that  there  are  certain  stations  in  the, 
United  Kingdom  where  steerage  x)assengers  are  entitled  to  obtain  trans- 
l^ortation  to  Liveri)ool  at  less  than  ordinary  fares  by  showing  a  steam- 
sliip  ticket  and  on  production  of  a  s^jecial  order,  which  can  be  procuredi 
at  their  ofiice.  The  names  of  such  stations  may  be  ascertained  by  in-, 
quiry  of  the  conference  presidents.  The  special  order  is  only  given 
with  the  steamship  ticket. 

In  another  issue  of  the  same  Latter-Day  Saints'  Millennial  Star,  of 
January  27,  1890,  at  page  50,  in  a  controversial  article,  to  meet  the. 
statements  of  Eev.  E.  Young,  from  which  this  article  quotes  that  he 
said  that  '^  thousands  of  young  women  are  decoyed  annually  to  Salt 
Lake  City  for  immoral  purposes,"  the  writer  gives  statistics  of  JNIormonsi 
who  have  emigrated  from  the  British  Mission  during  the  years  of  1887, 
1888,  and  1889  as  2,149.  Of  course  this  table  is  given  in  an  analytic, 
form  for  the  purpose  of  disproving  the  statement  of  Mr.  Young,  but  it 
is  probably  equally  useful  in  showing  the  numbers  of  Mormon  emigrantsj 
who  go  from  Great  Britain  to  Utah.  j 

In  an  advertisement  of  the  Guion  Line,  which  I  got  at  a  steamboat; 
ofice  in  Londonderry,  and  which  gives  a  fair  statement  of  the  laws  of 


i 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    187 

he  United  States  iu  reference  to  prohibited  classes,  except  Mormons, 
^\-('()llvicts,  and  contract  laborers. 

While  at  Liverpool  I  received  nnich  confirmation  that  mechanics  from 
i^arioiis  places  in  the  United  Kingdom  are  in  the  habit  of  going  to  the 
pnited  States  in  the  spring,  working  during  the  spring,  summer,  and 
ml  and  returning  to  spend  the  winter  months  in  Great  Britain  with 
their  families.  One  of  the  principal  steamboat  agents  in  Liverioool, 
MLt.  James  Tibbitts,  told  Commissioner  Powderly  and  myself  that  he 
lad  sold  tickets  to  about  fifty  mechanics  to  go  to  Boston  during  the 
^resent  season,  and  that  he  knew  they  were  to  return  in  the  fall.  He 
ilso  said  tliat  he  often  sold  tickets  in  the  spring  to  iron-mill  workers, 
and  that  he  often  sold  them  tickets  to  go  to  Cleveland,  O.,  and  Pitts- 
purg,  Pa.;  that  they  usually  went  for  the  season  only,  and  then  re- 
turned. This  gentleman  told  us  that  he  always  tried  to  divert  them  to 
'English  colonies.  At  Manchester,  England,  a  young  man,  who  was  a 
cotton- si)inncr,  who  was  seeking  for  a  situation  at  Manchester  and  who 
had  been  working  at  factories  not  many  miles  from  there,  told  me  that 
many  spinners  Avho  desired  to  go  to  Pall  Eiver  or  Lowell,  Mass.,  or 
other  places  in  the  United  States,  had  a  way  of  securing  places  in  the 
United  States  to  work  as  follows: 

,  At  manufacturing  establishments  where  cotton-spinning  machinery 
lis  made  and  sold  lor  factories  in  the  United  States,  cotton-spinners  de- 
siring to  go  to  the  United  States  leave  their  immes,  which  are  given  or 
jsent  to  the  persons  ordering  the  machinery,  and  through  these  means 
many  persons  secure  situations  in  the  United  States  before  they  go.  I 
flcould  not  find  at  Manchester  that  there  Avas  any  emigration  to  the 
United  States  except  the  natural  and  normal  emigration.  At  Birmiug- 
jham  I  was  told  by  a  decorator  that  the  house-decorators  of  England 
land  Scotland  managed  to  get  in  three  seasons  during  the  year  in  the 
'following  described  way:  They  first  go  to  the  large  Atlantic  seaboard 
cities  in  the  United  States,  where  the  house  decorations  usually  take 
place  in  the  spring  and  early  summery  then  they  cross  over  to  the  large 
cities  and  towns  in  Scotland  during  the  summer  months,  where  the 
Ihouse-decorating  season  occurs  during  the  summer  months,  preparing 
jfor  the  infiow  of  people  from  London  after  the  season  is  over  in  London, 
jconnnencing  in  August;  and  then  in  the  fall  they  go  to  London,  where 
!the  house-decorating  season  is  during  the  fall,  making  preparations  for 
Ithe  season,  which  commences  after  the  shooting  season  in  Scotland  is 
'over.  This  round  of  seasons,  if  the  man  told  me  the  truth,  is  highly 
? advantageous  to  the  decorating  craft  of  Great  Britain,  but  it  would 
'seem  that  it  would  greatly  interfere  with  the  decorating  craft  of  the 
seaboard  cities  of  the  United  States,  where  the  spring  decorating  sea- 
son is  the  princii)al  one. 

At  Manchester,  at  the  office  of  Thomas  Cook  &  Son,  61  Market  street, 
Manchester,  where  steamship  tickets  to  the  United  States  are  sold,  I 
obtained  in  the  ordinary  way,  by  asking  for  it  as  would  any  person 
desiring  to  go  to  the  United  States,  a  folder  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee 
and  St.  Paul  Kailway  Company,  which  gives  glowing  accounts  of  pretty 
much  all  of  the  Western  States  and  Territories,  and  with  it  was  handed 
me  a  pami)hlet  entitled  '^Dakota,  U.  S.  A.,  and  its  advantages  to  the 
home- seeker.'^ 

On  it  was  printed : 

Condensed  map  of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Railway,  of  Illinois,  Wis- 
consin, Iowa,  Minnesota,  Missouri,  South  Dakota,  and  North  Dakota. 

There  is  a  long  and  glowing  account  of  the  free  lands  in  Dakota, 


188 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


1 


showing  from  18,000,000  to  30,000,000  acres  of  free  lauds  in  Dakota, 
aud  at  the  end  of  the  same  is  this  notice: 

How  to  reach  Dakota.  The  Atlantic  Ocean  steamship  lines  have  agents  through 
the  United  Kingdom.  Any  agent  can  sell  a  passage  ticket  to  any  point  in  Dakota, 
by  way  of  Ncav  York,  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  Boston,  Quebec,  or  other  seaboard 
cities;  thence  by  railroad  to  Chicago;  and  from  there  to  destination,  via  the  Chicago, 
Milwaukee  and"^  St.  Paul  Railway;  A.  V.  H.  Carpenter,  General  Passenger  Agent, 
Milwaukee,  Wisconsin,  U.  S.  A. 

The  pamphlet  also  contains  directions  for  making  preemptions, 
homesteads,  and  tree  claims. 

At  the  office  of  Thomas  Cook  &  Son,  shipping  department,  Lndgat^ 
Circus,  Loudon,  there  was  giveu  to  me  from  a  pile  hung  up  in  the  office 
the  large  advertisement  of  the  Allan  Line  and  State  Line  steamers, 
from  Glasgow  and  Londonderry  to  American  seaports,  in  which,  under 
"Philadelphia"  will  be  found  this  sentence: 

This  State  (Pennsylvania)  abounds  in  coal  and  iron  industries,  and  offers  probably 
the  best  opening  in  the  States  for  miners,  ironworkers,  etc. 


Lender  the  head  "Boston"  is  found  this  sentence; 


•ii 


Being  the  seaport  of  the  great  and  wealthy  New  England  States  of  Massachussetts,  ( 
Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  and  Connecticut,  is  unquestionably  the  proper" 
lauding  place  for  all  parties  to  the  New  England  States.     These  States,  from  their 
numerous  manufacturing  industries,  offer  great  inducements  to  mill  operatives,  arti- 
sans, etc. 

On  the  reverse  are  given  the  reduced  fares  from  about  eight \  one ; 
places  in  Scotland  and  England  to  Glasgow,  Scotland,  and  the  second 
cabin  and  steerage  fares  from  Glasgow  to  al3Qut  as  many  i)hices  in  the 
United  States  by  steamship  and  rail.     For  instance,  the  steerage  and 
railway  fares  to  the  places  given  below  are  as  follows: 


Scranton,  Pa 4 

Trenton,  N.  J 3 

\V  ilkesbarre,  Pa 4 

Wilmington,  Del 3 

San  Antonio,  Tex 10 

San  Francisco,  Cal 15 

Saginaw,  Mich 6 


8. 

d. 

9 

7 

19 

4 

8 

0 

19 

2 

11 

5 

13 

6 

6 

3 

£  s.  d.. 

Home,  Ga 7  4  1' 

Springlield,  111 6  16  5 

Chicago,  111 6  5  0 

Cleveland,  Ohio 5  7  8  = 

Philadelphia,  Pa 3  16  0 

Bangor,Me 4  12  8 


I  found  many  advertisements  all  over  Great  Britain  with  Hatteiing 
offers  of  land  and  bonuses,  made  by  the  Canadian  Government  to  emi- 
grants to  Manitoba  and  the  Northwest  Territory  in  Canada.  Tbese 
advertisements  will  account  for  many  who  first  go  to  Canada  and  then 
cross  over  to  the  United  States. 

EMIGRATION  FROM  GREAT   BRITAIN   OF   CONVICTS  AND  EX-CONVICTS 
TO   THE   UNITED   STATES. 

In  your  verbal  instructions  I  was  asked  to  look,  as  far  as  possible,  into 
questions  relating  to  the  emigration  of  convicts  or  ex-convicts  from 
Euroi)ean  countries.  While  in  Great  Britain  I  received  information 
regarding  the  system  which  has  been  in  vogue  in  Great  Britain  for  about 
eleven  years  past,  which  is  so  connected,  according  to  my  information, 
wit)i  the  Government  of  Great  Britain  that  I  have  hesitated  to  give 
the  actnal  iiicts  as  tl^ey  were  made  known  to  me  through  records, 
reports,  and  verbal  official  sources.    If  my  information  was  correct  i 


ii^ 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    189 

^liere  can  be  no  law  of  tlie  United  States  whicli  will  put  an  end  to  it. 
[t  can  only  be  done  by  bringing  the  matter  to  tbe  attention  of  the 
3^overnment  of  Great  Britain,  and  seeking  its  cooperative  justice  in 
inited  action  witli  our  own  Government. 

Owing  to  the  objections  of  her  colonies,  Great  Britain  practically 
ceased  in  1853  to  transport  beyond  seas  her  criminals  to  any  of  her  own 
colonies,  except  as  below  stated. 

Under  the  laws  of  1853  and  1857,  tickets  of  leave  or  remission  were 
■2^ranted  until  1863,  when,  owing  to  the  great  increase  of  crimes,  public 
opinion  compelled  a  change,  which  was  effected  by  the  law  of  1864, 
^vhich  did  away  with  tickets  of  leave  or  remissions  and  substitutes — a 
conditional  license  to  the  convict  to  be  at  large,  after  a  certain  period 
of  confinement,  during  good  behavior.  In  1867  transportation  to  her 
bolonies  wholly  ceased.  The  law  of  1864  was  amended  in  1869,  1871, 
and  1879,  curing  the  defects  in  the  system  of  reporting  and  supervision, 
and  changing  the  officeis  from  the  police  officers  to  special  officers,  to 
whom  the  licensee  reported  monthly  (except  women,  who  only  reported 
3hange  of  address,  and  who  were  fr  equently  visited  by  women  appointed 
for  that  purpose)  and  who  kept  a  complete  descriptive  list  and  rec- 
ord or  history  of  the  licensee,  furnished  to  him  by  the  central  office  at 
London  (convict  supervision  department),  and  which  he  is  always  ready 
]to  furnish  to  tlie  pohce.  Government,  and  courts.  He  attends  the  crim- 
linal  courts  for  this  purpose  wlien  a  licensee  is  arrested  for  a  violation 
of  the  terms  of  his  license,  or  for  a  new  ofiense.  These  officers  are  in 
very  city  and  county. 

In  1880  there  were  about  25,000  convicts  (felons)  in  the  prisons  and 
n  tickets  of  leave  in  Great  Britain,  10,839  in  prisons,  and  the  balance 
jOn  leave.  In  1885  there  were  less  than  half  that  number;  that  is,  8,386 
in  prison  and  3,378  who  were  out  of  prison  under  surveillance.  From 
1879  to  1886  there  was  a  decrease  of  2,500  actually  in  prison  (average), 
saving  £87,000  per  year  (at  £35  per  man).  Those  who  have  perfected 
this  system,  and  who  are  important  Government  officers,  claimed  to  me 
to  have  reduced  the  prison  population  of  Great  Britain  from  about 
25,000  in  1880  to  less  than  12,000  now;  that  is,  those  in  prison  and  those 
on  leave  who  remain  in  Great  Britain. 

HOW  WAS  THIS  ACCOMPLISHED? 

First.  There  are  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  discharged  prisoners'  aid 
societies  in  the  United  Kingdom,  to  the  care  and  custody  of  one  of 
which,  every  discharged  prisoner,  whether  on  license  or  not,  is  always 
discharged. 

Second.  When  discharged  the  Government  pays  to  the  society  prac- 
tically from  £2  to  £0,  which  is  the  money  the  prisoner  is  supposed  to 
have  earned  during  his  confinement,  which  sums  are  added  to  by  the 
society,  with  which  the  prisoner  on  leave,  if  a  felon,  is  generally  assisted 
to  go  to  the  United  States,  if  he  can  be  persuaded  to  go;  and  he  is 
generally  only  too  glad  to  go  and  leave  behind  him  his  troublesome  rec- 
ord, which  faces  him  in  every  court  on  the  commission  of  a  new  crime, 
from  which  he  is  free  in  the  United  States.  And  he  is  at  once  rid  of 
his  obligations  to  report  to  an  officer  every  month,  and  rid  of  the  never- 
sleeping  eye  of  the  officer. 

Third.  He  is  sent  by  the  society  to  some  officer  at  a  sailing  port  to 

be  sent  to  the  United  States  by  the  society.    The  officer  goes  to  the 

ticket  agent  and  buys  the  ticket,  or  he  sends  for  it;  and  neither  the 

agent  nor  the  officer  nor  the  owner  of  the  boat  knows  the  ticket  is  for 

H.  Ex.  37 48 


190  ENFORCEMENT   OF   A.LIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

a  convict  under  surveillance,  who  really  should  be  in  one  of  the  i^rison 
of  Great  Britain  serving  out  his  term. 

Fourth.  When  he  arrives  in  the  United  States  he  usually  changes  hi  ■ 
name  and  reports  to  the  officer  of  the  society  only,  which  officer  o 
society  sends  him  money,  if  he  needs  it,  in  small  amounts,  generally 
through  postal  orders. 

Fifth.  Many  long-termers  have  been  so  released  and  are  now  in  thi 
United  States.    Twenty  years  is  practically  the  length  of  any  murderer'; 
term  in  Great  Britain  who  has  been  sentenced  to  a  life  imprisonment , 
The  balance  of  his  life  sentence  he  serves  out,  living  as  he  chooses  ii 
the  United  States,  assisted  there  by  a  fund  made  up  partly  by  tbj 
British  Government  and  partly  by  these  benevolent  societies  under  thc^ 
patronage  of  the  Government.    The  sum  of  $435,000,  yearly  saved  t< 
the  Government  of  Great  Britain  by  this  system,  will  of  course  pay  th« 
passage  of  a  great  many  men  to  the  United  States  at  the  present  lev 
price  of  steerage  $17.50,  and  will  give  each  one  of  them  a  few  dollar.' 
to  commence  life  again  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic.    Of  course  the  Gov 
ernment  of  Great  Britain  does  not  do  any  of  this  directly,  but  does  i 
all  through  these  benevolent  societies,  wliich  are  really  semiofficial. 

Sixth.  During  the  present  year  some  of  the  officers  claimed  that  in 
stead  of  sending  them  to  the  United  States  they  are  sending  them  t( 
Canada,  doubtless  the  Government  officers  and  societies'  officers  wel^i 
knowing  that  as  soon  as  they  reach  Canada  they  will  go  to  the  Unitec 
States  as  soon  as  they  can  purchase  tickets  with  the  money  furnishec 
them  to  ''  start  with" — to  "  start  with^^from  Canada  to  the  United  States? 

Seventh.  One  officer  from  one  society  sent  of  these  ''licensed"  crimi 
nals  in  1887  24  men  and  4  women  to  the  United  States,  and  19  mei 
and  4  women  to  Canada ;  and  of  the  whole  52  only  6  men  and  1  womai 
have  ever  returned  to  England,  as  a  complete  record  is  kept  in  thr5 
records  at  the  general  office  in  London  of  every  criminal  who  ever  re 
turns  fi'om  the  United  States  after  once  being  assisted  to  go  there. 

In  1888  he  sent  39  men  and  3  women  to  the  United  States  and  7  niei 
to  Canada,  of  whom  only  5  men  ever  returned  to  England. 

In  1889  he  sent  32  men  to  the  United  States  and  G  men  and  1  womai 
to  Canada,  of  whom  only  2  men  ever  returned  to  England. 

In  1890  he  sent  19  men  and  1  woman  to  the  United  States  and  15  meif 
and  2  women  to  Canada,  of  whom  only  1  man  returned  to  England,  anc? 
he  returned  from  Canada.  \ 

In  the  forepart  of  1891  he  sent  4  men  and  1  woman  to  the  United 
States  and  5  men  to  Canada.  He  has  never  had  but  2  men  (criminals| 
who  refused  to  emigrate.  These  two  men  demanded  their  earned  sal^ 
ary  and  claimed  the  right  to  stay  in  old  England.  This  was  from  am 
j^ort  only  and  from  one  society  only. 

Eighth.  Of  all  sentences  one-fourth  of  the  time  can  be  spent  on  h 
cense  out  of  prison  by  reportin g  monthly.  The  judges  of  England  fullj 
appreciate  what  a  great  benefit  to  England  it  is  to  have  the  criminal' 
serve  out  the  principal  part  of  their  term  in  the  United  States,  anci 
have  a  fashion  now  of  giving  the  prisoners  whom  they  sentence  shor' 
penal  sentences  to  be  served  in  prison  with  a  very  long  term  of  surveili 
lance;  that  is,  to  report  monthly  on  license  to  an  officer. 

Ninth.  The  cheapest  rate  and  nearest  port,  generally  Boston,  is  se 
lected  as  the  point  in  the  United  States  to  which  tickets  are  bough 
for  the  ex-convicts.  I 

Tenth.  The  Government  and  officers  of  the  Government,  as  well  »' 
the  officers  of  the  societies,  care  nothing  for  the  convicts  and  ex- con 


1 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    191 

victs  after  they  leave  Great  Britain ;  for  tbe  highest  officer  in  the  Gov- 
ernment service  having  charge  of  this  matter  told  me  himself  that  they 
were  only  too  glad  to  get  rid  of  them. 

Eleventh.  I  was  informed  by  good  authority  that  whenever  a  j)ris- 
oner  was  discharged  from  a  prison  without  being  discharged  to  a  ijris- 
oners'  aid  society  he  was  only  given  £2;  whereas  if  he  were  discharged 
to  prisoners'  aid  society  the  prisoners'  aid  society  was  given  by  the 
Government  for  his  benefit  the  sum  of  £6.  And  this  sum  in  every 
case  of  felons  where  there  is  a  penal  servitude  and  a  term  of  surveillance 
is  used  by  the  society  and  its  officers,  in  every  case  where  the  convict 
can  be  persuaded  to  go,  to  pay  the  convict's  passage  to  the  United 
States  or  Canada. 

An  officer,  who  had  the  best  facilities  for  knowing,  made  an  esti- 
mate for  me  of  the  number  of  all  the  felonious  criminals  imprisoned  in 
Scotland  who  were  assisted  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States,  and  Lis 
•estimate  wa"s  that  one-half  of  them  went  to  the  United  States  by  the 
assistance  of  these  discharged  i)risoners'  aid  societies.  lie  also  in- 
formed me  that  they  iuA^ariably  change  their  names,  and  often  write  to  • 
him  confidentially  giving  their  former  number  omame,  and  he  thought 
few  of  them  ever  returned  to  Great  Britain. 

Another  officer,  who  had  the  best  means  of  knowing,  informed  me 
'that  this  system  of  imposing  sJiort  senterices  of  imprisonment  and  long 
terms  of  surveillance  was  a  policy  adopted  to  rid  the  Government  of  the 
■expense  of  maintaining  their  criminals 5  and  while  he  admitted  that  it 
was  wrong  as  against  tlie  people  of  the  United  States,  he  said  that  it 
was  the  policy  of  those  higher  in  authority  than  he,  and  liad  done  very 
much  to  reduce  the  prison  population  of  Great  Britain  by  many  thou- 
sands. 

A  partial  list  of  the  prisoners'  aid  societies  I  herewith  transmit. 
But  while  this  list  runs  up  to  about  eighty,  yet  I  was  told  by  one  of 
the  principal  officers  of  a  society  in  London,  who  had  done  much  to  get 
a  list  of  these  societies,  that  it  was  a  singular  feature  of  these  prisoners' 
aid  societies  that  they  did  not  act  together  nor  in  general  concert,  but 
that  each  prisoners'  aid  society  was  a  local  affair,  each  acting  for  itself  j 
and  many  of  the  most  important  ones  refused  to  send  any  information 
or  statistics  to  the  committee  which  is  attempting  in  London  to  get  the 
statistics  from  each  one  throughout  the  country. 

Yet  these  societies  by  law  are  greatly  assisted  by  Government,  and 
<it  is  a  significant  fact  that  when  a  prisoner  is  not  discharged  to  one  of 
these  societies  he  is  only  granted  £2,  while  if  discharged  to  a  society 
the  society  is  granted  £6,  which  it  will  be  observed  is  sufficient  to  pay 
his  passage  to  the  United  States,  which  takes  on  an  average  less  than 
$20,  and  will  leave  him  about  $10  when  he  arrives;  and  I  was  credibly 
informed,  by  those  who  knew,  that  they  are  often  assisted  by  the  societies 
when  they  had  arrived  in  the  United  States. 

j  Commissioners  Powderly  and  Schulties  have  the  very  best  evidence 
'that  money  has  been  sent  from  some  of  these  to  British  convicts,  who 
had  been  sent  to  the  United  States  from  Great  Britain  after  the  ap- 
pointment of  this  commission.  And  they  also  have  the  record  of  money 
having  been  sent  to  other  convicts  through  the  post-office  departments 
of  Great  Britain  to  the  United  States  j  all  of  which  will  appear  in  their 
reports. 

The  officers  of  the  societies  always  purchase  the  tickets  for  the  con- 
victs, and  purchase  what  necessaries  they  need  on  the  passage.  They 
see  them  aboard  the  steamers,  and  hand  them  the  balance  of  their 
money  when  the  steamer  is  about  to  sail. 


192    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

The  governor  of  one  of  the  great  prisons  in  Great  Britain  inform! 
me  thatj  under  the  present  system,  there  had  been  the  most  remar] 
able  decrease  in  the  prison  residents  of  Great  Britain  in  the  last  ele 
years;  and  when  asked  by  me  the  real  cause  of  this  great  reductidj 
he  could  only  give  as  a  reason  that  by  the  better  education  of 
masses,  and  the  influence  of  prisoners'  aid  societies  and  reform  schoa 
had  this  change  been  brought  about. 

And  yet  in  the  fifth  report  of  the  central  committee  of  the  dischargi 
prisoners'  aid  societies,  of  July,  1890,  the  last  one  which  I  could  o 
tain,  in  which  is  contained  the  list  of  all  such  societies  in  Great  Bri 
which  could  be  obtained  by  the  society,  and  which  is  transmitted  he: 
with,  it  will  be  found  that  the  statistics  are  based  almost  entire| 
upon  short-termed  convicts,  where  but  few  are  given  as  being  assist 
to  emigrate;  while  they  report  several  of  the  most  important  socie 
as  refusing  to  send  statistics,  and  some  of  which,  I  was  informed  b; 
the  secretary  of  this  very  society,  in  the  presence  of  Hon*.  D.  0.  Bed] 
special  commissioner  of  the  Columbian  Fair,  as  assisting  the  most  u 
emigration,  notably  "St.  Giles  Christian  Mission." 

In  this  report  it  is  stated : 

But.  notwithstanding  all  that  has  been  written  or  said  on  the  subject,  some  judge 
still  persist  in  sentencing  habitual  and  repeatedly  convicted  criminals  to  short  temA 
of  imprisonment,  and  this  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  particular  offense  fo 
which  a  person  may  chance  to  be  convicted  is  presumably  but  one  of  a  long  seric 
of  undetected  crimes.  When  such  persons  come  up  for  discharge  from  jail  a  pri^ 
oners'  aid  society  is  at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  deal  with  them.  As  n  matter  of  fj 
most  societies  appear  to  decline  to  spend  money  upon  them  on  the  ground  that  t 
reformation  seems  to  be  hopeless,  and  perhaps  they  are  right;  but,  if  so,  what  is 
be  said  of  a  system  which  so  deals  with  the  criminal  that  a  society  which  is  iorme 
for  the  express  purpose  of  aiding  discharged  prisoners  can  not  be  advised  to  wast 
money  upon  so  unsatisfactory  a  case.  I  wish  to  press  this  point  home  if  I  can.  ]| 
a  judge  who  passes  a  short  sentence  on  an  habitual  criminal  prepared  to  advise  J 
prisoners'  aid  society  to  expend  £2  in  assisting  the  man  on  his  discharge?  1 
the  judge  is  not  prepared  to  do  this,  what  on  earth  is  his  object  in  passing  thl 
sentence?  If  a  man  is  sent  to  penal  servitiude  for  five  years  or  upward  he  is,  at  ani 
rate,  prevented  from  injuring  the  innocent  for  a  considerable  length  of  time.  ! 

And  yet  in  the  report  on  the  history  of  the  department  of  the  metre 
politan  police,  known  as  the  convict  supervision  office,  i)repared  b 
James  Monroe,  esq.,  London,  1886,  it  is  stated  on  page  8  that  '^wit| 
reference  to  the  great  decrease  in  penal  sentences  during  the  last  si 
years  the  judicial  authorities,  knowing  that  the  supervision  is  no  lougt 
a  dead  letter,  now  sentence  men  and  women  to  terms  of  imprisonioeii 
instead  of  jjenal  servitude,  with  a  sentence  of  supervision  to  follow,^ 
while  I  was  told  by  an  officer  very  high  in  this  very  department  tha 
the  judges  generally  inflict  short  imprisonment  and  long  ^periods  of  sui 
veillance. 

It  is  stated  on  page  10  that — 

Many  [convicts]  have  been  assisted  to  emigrate,  and  the  very  large  number  of  le 
ters  of  those  received  show  that  the  work  has  been  appreciated  by  the  discharge 
prisoners  who  have  been  assisted. 


On  page  11  the  report  continues ; 


On  the  Wednesday  previous  to  their  liberation  officers  of  this  department  attende 
Milbauk  prison  and  inspected  each  convict  separately,  read  the  particulars  of  tl  j 
conviction  to  him,  and  take  his  description  for  the  pui?po.se  of  verification.     At  tl 
same  time  each  prisoner  is  served  with  a  form,  directing  him  where  to  rejiort  on  dij 
charge,  which  is  fully  explained  to  him.  | 

I  was  informed  by  good  authority  that  these  oflScers  always,  or  near]  ■ 
always,  explain  to  these  convicts  the  policy  of  the  societies  to  assit 
them  to  leave  the  country. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    193 

On  page  11,  as  is  explained,  and  as  I  was  informed  by  good  autliority, 
,Tlien  a  prisoner  is  discharged  to  an  aid  society  £6  is  allowed  for  Lis 
benefit,  otherwise  only  £2.  It  is  shown  on  page  19  that  the  gross  an- 
nual cost  of  a  prisoner  amonnts  to  £35  per  man,  and  that  by  this 
.system  £87,000  is  saved  per  annnm. 

■  In  view  of  what  the  governor  of  the  prison  above  referred  to  said  to 
'me  as  a  reason  for  the  great  diminution  in  the  residents  of  the  prisons 
pf  Great  Britain  in  the  last  eleven  years,  it  is  i^eculiar  that  this  com- 
mission, on  page  19,  stated  as  follows : 

I  It  is  noteworthy  that  all  the  forces  and  agencies,  such  as  education  acts,  temper- 
ance societies,  friendly  and  other  charitable  institutions,  were  in  full  operation  for 
many  years  previous  to  1880,  but  no  diminution  of  serious  offenses  took  place ;  and, 
as  a  matter  of  fact,  there  are  prison  governors  and  chaplains  who  entertain  the 
Dpinion  that  many  of  the  lads  who  have  been  sent  to  the  reformatory  make  the  very 
worst  criminals,  owing  to  their  having  had  a  little  better  education  than  men 
formerly  received. 

'  While  there  seems  to  be  a  conflict  between  the  figures  that  are  given 
in  this  list  in  my  report  and  the  estimate  placed  by  the  governor  of 
the  prison  above  referred  to  (his  estimates  were  that  eleven  years  ago 
the  resident  prisoners  of  Great  Britain  were  about  20,000,  and  now 
less  than  12,000),  yet  the  officer  above  referred  to,  high  in  authority  in 
this  department,  estimated  to  me  in  a  conversation  that  eleven  years 
ago  there  were  about  25,000  resident  prisoners  in  Great  Britain,  in- 
cluding those  in  prison  and  those  under  surveillance,  while  now  he  es- 
timated the  whole  in  prison  or  under  surveillance  at  about  11,000,  or 
.under  12,000. 
"    And  this  same  officer  said  to  me : 

I  claim  that  the  credit  for  this  great  diminution  is  due  to  the  registration,  the 
taking  of  photographs,  the  furnishing  of  the  record  to  the  local  government  agents, 
who  keep  a  surveillance  over  the  prisoners,  and  to  the  work  done  by  the  prisoners' 
aid  societies. 

And  when  I  asked  him  what  was  done  when  these  convicts  with 
short  sentences  and  long  periods  of  surveillance  left  Great  Britain,  Ids 
answer  was:  ^'Oh,  we  are  only  too  glad  to  get  rid  of  them." 

I  obtained  quite  a  number  of  the  records  of  the  local  societies,  but 
for  some  reason  I  find  that  a  part  of  them  have  been  mislaid  or  lost; 
but  I  desire  to  quote  from  the  1888,  1889,  and  1890  annual  reports  of 
the  Worcestershire  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society,  of  which,  dur- 
ing all  that  time,  the  Eight  Honorable  the  Earl  of  Beauchamp  was 
president,  and  many  high  dignitaries  were  on  the  committee  and  occu- 
pied other  positions  in  the  society. 

In  the  report  of  1888,  on  page  5,  it  says : 

There  have  been  only  two  cases  of  emigration  within  the  past  year,  and  in  each 

case  part  of  the  passage  money  has  been  found  by  the  applicant's  friends.     One  is 

doing  very  well,  being  employed  in  a  large  store;  the  other,  who  had  relatives  in 

,  the  colony,  has  not  been  heard  from.     It  would  be  well  to  say  here  that  your  com- 

;  mittee  does  not  approve  of  emigration,  except  under  very  exceptional  circumstances 

'  as  they  are  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  scarcely  fair  to  our  colonists  to  send  out  any  of 

the  really  criminal  class  from  this  country."   But  there  are  cases,  where  the  prisoner 

,  is  young  or  has  not  been  previously  convicted  or  where  bad  companions  have  been 

the  cause  of  his  fall,  in  which  emigration  seems  the  only  chance  of  improvement; 

and  your  committee  considered  themselves  justified  in  departing  from  this  rule. 

On  page  7  they  say: 

Before  passing  on  to  the  statistical  portion  of  the  report,  it  might  be  well  to  say 
that  discharged  prisoners'  aid  societies  are  now  organized  by  the  judges  of  assizes, 
of  courts  of  quarter  sessions  and  migrations;  and  in  cases  of  first  conviction  and 
where  there  seems  a  prospect  of  reclaiming  the  prisoner,  nominal  sentences  have 

H.  Ex.  235 13 


194    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

been  passed  on  condition  that  ^liese  societies  would  take  charge  of  such  cases  ondii 
charge.  Your  committee  are  ghid  to  say  that  in  every  case  such  recoimnendatial 
has  been  attended  to,  and  with  satisfactory  results. 

It  is  a  significant  fact  tliat  tlie  right  honorable  president  closed ! 
report  by  speaking  of  a  gentleman  at  a  seaport,  who  has  been  a  g( 
friend  of  the  society,  and  that  he  will  always  look  after  any  prisone^J 
who  may  be  sent  there,  find  lodgings,  and  exercise  a  friendly  snper 
vision  over  him.  On  page  11  it  was  explained  by  a  Mr.  Hastings  ho^ 
the  money  was  sent  by  the  Government  to  the  aid  societies,  and  bj 
them  expended  for  the  benefit  of  the  convict. 

In  the  report  of  the  same  society  for  1889,  on  page  6  in  the  report 
they  speak  of  a  gentleman  at  a  seaport  who  has  been  their  agent,  and 
commend  him  for  his  care  of  the  cases  committed  to  his  charge,  and 
say: 

He  has  been  of  the  greatest  service  in  procuring  situations  for  destitute  prisoners 
as  stokers  on  board  of  steamships,  and  other  enq^loyment  on  vessels.  He  receives 
them  on  arrival,  procures  lodgings,  and  exercises  a  friendly  supervision  over  then] 
until  they  are  placed  on  board^  Letters  have  been  received  by  your  connnittce  from 
prisoners  who  have  been  aided  by  him,  and  expressing  their  thankfulness  for  his 
kindness. 

The  committee  also,  on  page  7,  speak  of  sending  one  to  Canada  and! 
they  say  that  they  have  just  refused  the  applications  of  many  i)risoners 
who  have  applied  to  be  emigrated  j  as  they  say,  in  their  oinnion,  it  is 
unwise  to  aiford  such  facilities  to  those  who  have  broken  the  law;  but 
the  chairman  in  moving  the  adoption  of  the  report,  says: 

With  regard  to  the  question  of  emigration,  the  committee  quite  believe  that  there  t 
are  cases  in  which  it  is  desirable  that  the  society  should  assist  men  to  emigrate;  but  ; 
there  were  two  obstacles  in  the  way  of  granting  the  application.  The  one  was  the  f 
fact  they  had  no  proof  that  the  man  would  do  well  when  he  arrived  in  the  colony,  S 
the  other  was  that  neither  for  the  sake  of  the  colonies  or  the  example  of  this  country,  ., 
was  it  desirable  that  those  who  had  broken  the  law  should  be  put  in  a  better  posi- 
tion than  others  who  had  not  done  so.  In  some  cases  they  had  sent  prisoners  to 
the  colonies,  but  that  was  usually  done  in  case  of  a  first  offense  and  where  the  offender 
was  likelv  to  do  better  in  the  colonies. 


<■!' 


And  among  the  selected  cases,  commencing  on  page  9 — 

No.  2.  Was  sent  to  Liverpool  where  work  was  procured  for  him  as  stoker.  '^ 

No.  10.  Was  sent  to  Cardiff  and  employment  on  board  a  ship  was  procured  for 
him.     Has  not  since  been  heard  of. 

No.  12.  Was  sent  to  his  friends  who  promised  to  assist  him,  but  deciding  to  go  away, 
they  paid  his  passage. 

No.  13.  AVas  sent  to  Liverpool  and  a  situation  procured  for  him  as  stoker. 

No.  14.  Was  sent  to  Manchester  at  his  own  request,  where  he  said  he  could 
work.     He  has  not  communicated  to  the  agent  since. 

No.  23.  Situation  procured  for  him  as  stoker  on  board  a  steamship  and  has  ndt 
returned  to  this  country.  .» 

No.  25.  Situation  as  stoker  was  procured  for  him  on  a  steamship,  and  he  sailed 
Australia. 

No.  29.  Was  sent  to  America,  his  friends  refunding  the  amount  expended.     Letti 
received  said  he  procured  a  situation  immediately  on  arrival,  and  thanked  the  so- 
ciety for  their  help. 

No.  32.  Sitaation  as  stokeT-  on  steamship  was  procured,  but  has  not  yet  returned 
to  this  country. 

No.  33.  Situation  as  steward  on  a  steam  vessel  was  procured  for  him;  he  has  since 
been  heard  from  as  doing  well;  teas  not  sentenced  hy  the  magistrate,  on  condition  this 
eociet})  undertook  his  case. 

This  report  shows  how  many  of  these  prisoners,  by  one  society, 
whose  committee  does  not  think  it  right  to  send  their  convicts  to  the 
colonies,  manage  to  get  away  as  stokers  on  steamships  and  in  other 
ways. 


i 


ENFOIICEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  195 

The  annual  report  for  1890  contains  in  its  report  tlie  following,  on 
page  4 : 

In  considering  the  cases  brought  before  your  committee,  they  felt  compelled  to  re- 
'fuse  grants  to  prisoners  of  a  certain  class,  namely,  those  who  are  constantly  being 
arrested,  or  who  are  leading  a  vagrant  life.  To  the  former,  any  relief  would  be  useless, 
and  for  the  latter,  the  union  (which  is  the  name  for  the  poorhouse  in  England)  ia 
the  only  proper  place.  If  they  wish  to  make  their  way  to  other  localities,  the  Vagrant 
llelief  Society  is  a  medium  by  which  they  can  get  sufficient  food  as  they  pass  on 
jthrough  the  different  unions. 

On  page  5  is  found  tlie  following : 

Your  committee  has  not  defrayed  the  cost  of  emigration  for  any  prisoner  this  year 
evtirehj  from  the  funds  of  the  society,  but  they  have  assisted  four  deserving  cases, 
where  the  friends  of  the  intending  emigrant  liad  subscribed  a  certain  sum  towards 
the  expenses.  Two  of  them  were  under  sentence,  but  remitted  on  consideration  that 
your  committee  took  up  their  case,  and  their  friends  have  collected  nearly  sufficient 
money ;  the  balance  was  made  up  by  the  society.  Encouraging  accounts  were  re- 
ceived of  their  well-doing.  The  agent  in  each  case  had  them  seen  safe  on  board, 
with  sufficient  means  (intrusted  to  the  captain)  to  keep  them  on  arrival  until  they 
! could  obtain  work. 

1.  The  committee  on  closing  its  report  also  again  extends  thanks  to  an 
agent  in  a  seaport  town  ^^for  his  valuable  assistance,  not  onlj^  in 
.arranging  for  the  emigration  of  discharged  ]prisonerSj  but  also  for  his 
kindness  in  finding  employment  for  many  as  stokers  and  seamen* 

Mr.  Hastings,  in  seconding  the  motion  of  Lord  Beauchamp  for  the 
adoption  of  the  report,  said : 

The  home  at  Lirerpool  was  of  the  greatest  possible  use,  and  we  are  greatly  in- 
:  clebted  to  the  managers  of  that  home  for  the  kindness  they  showed.  Thej^  took  boys 
Unto  the  home  and  kept  them  without  charge.  They  taught  them  a  trade,  and  pro- 
'"vided  them  with  the  means  of  subsistence  by  sending  them  to  sea  ot  providing 
them  with  means  of  emigrating,  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  most  of  those 
\  who  were  sent  to  that  home  turned  out  well. 
I     In  the  selected  cases — 

^     No.  12  was  sent  to  Cardiff,  where  a  ship  was  found  for  him,  and  satisfactory  ac- 
I  counts  are  receiA^ed  of  his  well-doing. 
'     No.  18  sent  to  sea,  and  is  still  in  the  same  employ  and  is  giving  satisfaction. 

No.  19  sent  to  Liverpool  and  ship  procured  for  him,  but  after  signing  the  articles 
absconded,  and  has  not  been  heard  of  since. 

No.  20  went  to  America,  his  friends  providing  part  of  the  funds  necessary.     Sev- 
eral letters  have  been  received  from  him  saying  how  well  he  was  doing,  and  thank- 
j  ing  the  committee  for  its  assistance. 

No.  25,  brother  in  America  sent  him  passage  money,  the  society  provided  outfit, 
his  friends  here  being  unable  to  do  so,  being  very  poor. 

These  three  annual  reports  are  herewith  transmitted.    While  in  the 
,  reports  the  officers  generally  speak  of  sending  the  convicts  to  the  colonies 
of  Great  Britain,  I  have  the  best  authority  for  knowing  that  "Boston" 
is  the  colony  generally  selected. 

In  the  27th  annual  report  of  the  Metropolitan  Discharged  Prisoners' 
Aid  Society,  15  Buckingham  street,  Loudon,  W.  C,  on  i)age  4,  the 
^  report  says : 

Since  18G4,  agencies  for  the  assistance  of  discharged  prisoners  have  been  started 
all  over  England.     It  is  believed  that  the  system  now  extends  to  every  local  prison 
'  in  the  country.     The  Metropolitan  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society  acts  as  agents 
for  seven  provincial  aid  societies. 

On  page  5  they  refer  to  the  fact  that  the  prisoners  passing  through 
Pentonville  prison  are  those  undergoing  short  sentences,  and  are  there- 
,  fore  to  a  large  extent  first  offenders,  and  frequently  very  young. 
j      On  page  6  it  is  stated  that — 

I  The  society  also  acts  as  the  administrator  of  the  grants  which  the  commission 
of  prisons  under  the  prisons  act  are  enabled  to  make  for  prisoners  on  discharge. 
The  society  is  certified  under  the  prisons  act  for  this  purpose.  The  whole  of  their 
grant  must  be  expended  on  the  prisoners.     JNluch  more  than  the  official  grant  is  in 

;  fact  every  year  actually  exj^ended  on  thoni. 


196  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

Among  the  ways  of  assisting  prisoners,  it  is  stated  on  page  6 — 

It  sometimes  consists  in  putting  Mm  in  communication  witli  a  former  employei 
or  taking  him  to  some  i)lace  where  mere plii/sical  labor  is  required,  without  isreviou 
character. 

On  page  8  it  further  states : 

The  society  has  large  opportunities  of  assisting  persons,  not  convicts,  hut  who  ar 
a  nucleus  for  the  criminal  class.  Such  cases  do  not  at  present  come  within  the  limit 
of  their  general  powers,  hut  they  are  always  prepared  to  assist  such  cases  by  admin 
istering  special  funds  given  them  for  that  purpose.  And  an  appeal  is  made' to  thos« 
in  touch  with  the  object  of  the  society  to  contribute  funds. 

And  then  they  significantly  state,  after  making  such  appeal,  on  pag< 
9,  that— 

Expenditure  under  this  head,  properly  directed,  can  not  but  be  advantageous  t( 
the  recipient,  and  even  more  so  to  the  community. 

In  this  report,  out  of  nine  cases  that  are  given,  five  of  them  were 
cases  where  they  were  assisted  to  get  positions  aboard  of  ships. 

In  the  9th  annual  report  of  the  Southwest  Lancashire  and  Wirra 
Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society  for  the  year  1890,  they  acknowledged 
to  have  assisted  four  persons  to  emigrate;  and  the  chairman  in  moving 
the  adoption  of  the  report,  stated  that  many  of  the  prisoners  got  back, 
into  prison  again,  and  he  asks : 

Is  there  no  remedy  for  this  constant  evil?  Not  a  growing  one,  it  is  true,  but  per-i 
manent.  Could  not  this  defect  in  our  prison  system  be  remedied  by  influences  oJ 
some  kind,  and  could  not  the  Home  Secretary  frame  some  bill  whereby  that  floating 
mass  of  fallen  and  depraved  humanit}'  might  be  so  isolated  or  so  removed  from  an 
active  intercourse  as  to  be  no  longer  a  danger  to  the  well-ordered  bulk  of  our  popu-* 
lation  ? 

In  the  1891  report  of  the  operations  of  the  Prisoners'  Aid  Society  oi 
Glasgow,  it  is  stated  that  the  ofiicers  had  adopted  the  suggestions  oi 
one  of  Her  Majcstyh  ])rison  commissioners  as  to  the  dispersion  of  assisted 
prisoners;  and  that  the  large  number  of  117  had  been  sent  out  of  Glas-' 
gow  to  places  where  they  had  a  prospect  of  obtaining  employment. 

In  their  report  of  special  cases,  among  others  they  report  a  young 
man  who  sailed  for  America  in  August.     His  friends  helped  him  away,j 
as  there  were  eight  convictions   against  him  for  theft,  some  of  whici 
were  long  sentences. 

In  the  1890  annual  report  of  the  Bucks  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid^ 
Society,  among  the  objects  of  the  Society  are  these  rules: 

No.  2  provides  for  emigration  and  exercising  friendly  supervision  over  them  (c( 
victs). 

No.  6  pro^^des  for  appointing  an  agent  to  administer  to  the  relief  and  in  excrcisi 
the  supervision  contemi^lated  by  the  society. 

No.  7  provides  for  receiving  the  money  due  from  the  Government  under  an  act 
Parliament. 

In  the  report  is  this  statement: 

The  altered  position  of  the  society  consequent  on  the  closing  of  the  prison  at  Ayl  ^ 
hury  was  discussed,  and  the  meeting  agreed  that  it  would  be  "desirable  to  contini 
the  operations  of  tlie  society,  and  hesoJred,  That  the  committee  have  power  to  dis-' 
burse  the  funds  of  the  society  towards  the  emigration  or  other  assistance  of  dis- 
charged prisoners  belonging  to  the  county  of  Buckingham;  and  that  such  assistance 
be  rendered  either  directly  or  through  the  societies  connected  with  the  x^risons  from 
which  such  prisoner  may  he  discharged. 

Here  is  a  society  that  found  its  particular  occupation  gone,  because! 
the  prison  had  been  closed;  but  it  was  thought  best  to  continue  the 
ox)erations  of  the  society  and  to  emigrate  the  prisoners  from  that  county 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    197 

in  other  prisons  tlirougli  other  prisoners'  aid  societies.  Doubtless  in 
order  that  their  county  might  be  rid  of  those  whom  it  might  be  unde- 
sirable for  the  county  to  continue  to  have  as  residents. 

The  laws  of  Great  Britain  on  the  subject  of  imprisonment  and  sur- 
veillance are  herewith  transmitted.  They  were  for  a  long  while  used 
by  an  officer  whose  business  it  was  and  is  to  emigrate  British  conyicts 
to  the  United  States. 

In  the  report  of  the  police  establishment  and  the  state  of  crime, 
with  tabular  returns  for  the  year  ending  Se])tember  29,  1890,  for  the 
city  of  Liverpool,  there  will  be  found  on  pages  51  and  52  the  record  of 
fifty  persons  Avho  were  emigrated,  all  of  them  being  discharged  convicts 
Dn  license,  under  the  provisions  of  the  prevention  of  crimes  act  of  1871, 
section  8.  I  have  the  best  of  authority  for  believing  that  they  were 
most  of  them  sent  to  the  city  of  Boston  by  the  authorities  direct. 

I  desire  here  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  new  system 
jfor  a  term  of  imprisonment  and  a  term  of  surveillance  is  the  basis  under 
which  so  many  criminals  are  sent  from  Great  Britain  to  the  United 
States,  for,  according  to  the  law  and  the  records  as  given  in  the  sched- 
ules, one-quarter  of  all  terms  of  imiirisonment,  under  good  behavior  in 
prison,  may  be  remitted,  to  be  served  under  surveillance;  and  under 
the  great  activities  shown  by  this  large  number  of  discharged  prisoners' 
aid  societies  throughout  all  Great  Britain,  a  cover  is  afforded,  under  the 
name  and  action  of  benevolence,  for  not  only  the  nation  but  for  com- 
munities to  rid  themselves  of  a  large  percentage. of  their  worst  crimi 
nal  classes. 

]  It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  these  benevolent  discharged  inisoners' 
aid  societies  give  much  assistance  and  encouragement  to  discliarged 
prisoners;  but  it  will  be  found  in  the  reports  given  in  the  schedules 
.that  the  short-termed  prisoners  are  very  generally  found  employment 
,or  assisted  to  employment  or  assisted  in  various  ways  in  Great  Britain, 
but  from  the  records  which  Avere  open  to  me,  the  infc^rmation  which  I 
had  from  officers  who  administered  the  law  and  had  much  of  the  dis- 
bursement of  the  funds  of  tlie  societies,  and  officers  wlio  governed  and 
controlled  the  whole  system,  I  can  not  but  believe  that  this  great  sys- 
tem, under  the  name  of  benevolence  to  the  convicts,  is  a  vast  engine  to 
rid  the  country  of  its  worst  class  of  criminals. 

I  am  well  satisfied,  from  my  own  investigation  and  from  the  informa- 
tion which  I  gained,  that  the  Government  of  Great  Britain,  while  not 
directly  sending,  its  convicts  and  ex-convicts  to  the  United  States,  yet 
it  governs  and  controls  through  these  benevolent  discharged  i^risoners' 
aid  societies  the  whole  system,  and  nothing  but  a  direct  appeal  to  the 
Government  of  Great  Britain  itself  will  ever  stop  it.  The  advantage 
to  the  various  communities  to  be  rid  of  their  criminals,  the  advantage 
•to  the  Government  in  the  saving  of  expense  of  £87,000  directly  every 
year,  to  say  nothing  of  the  vast  indirect  saving  in  prosecutions  and 
other  ways,  as  named  in  one  of  the  reports,  is  undoubtedly  too  impor- 
tant to  be  broken  up  except  by  a  direct  appeal  to  the  Government. 

I  desire  to  say  in  this  connection  that  I  purposely  avoided  giving  the 
names  of  my  informants  in  this  report,  but  w^hich  I  shall  do  verbally  to 
you.  I  further  desire  to  say  th  at  most  of  the  above  inform  ation  I  learned 
on  my  first  going  to  Great  Britain  in  July;  but  on  an  attempt  by  Com- 
missioner Powderly,  Commissioner  Schulteis,  and  myself,  in  October, 
to  obtain  further  information  concerning  this  subject,  and  the  reports 
*of  societies,  we  were  generally  met  with  a  refusal  to  give  us  reports. 

At  Glasgow  I  was  given  a  document  which  is  a  notice  to  a  male 


198    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

holder  of  a  license  under  tlie  penal  servitude  act,  and  is  from  tlie  cl 
police  officer  of  the  city.    It  illustrates  the  method  of  surveillance 
contains  excerpts  from  the  prevention  of  crimes  act  of  1871  relatinj 
this  matter. 

V 

PAUPER  EMIGRATION. 

On  the  subject  of  pauper  emigration  I  may  say  that  in  many  pi 
in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  where  I  inquired  about  pauper  emi 
tion  I  was  often  met  by  the  answer  that  a  few  years  ago  there  w 
great  deal  of  pauper  emigration,  but  that  pauper  emigration  was  k 
now  being  encouraged,  and  I  did  not  find  definite  evidence  of  pre 
pauper  emigration,  either  by  the  Government  or  local  authorities 
Great  Britain  and  Ireland;  but  the  laws  of  both  Great  Britain  ai 
Ireland  provide  for  assisting  poor  people  to  emigrate. 

In  the  Charities  Eegister  Digest  of  1890,  published  in  London 
page  58  of  the  introduction,  under  the  subject  of  emigration,  we 
the  following.    Unions  are  the  English  poorhouses : 


I 


Emigration  is  a  frequently  proposed  remedy  for  helping  the  unemployed  poo 
reference  to  the  register  will  stow  the  cost  of  passages,  the  outlit  required 
Like  other  modes  of  charitable  aid,  it  is  injurious  if  applied  wholesahj.  If,  as  ]V1 
Fawcett  has  pointed  out,  the  population  continues  to  increase  at  the  same  rat, 
there  will  not  be,  excej^t  for  a  short  time,  fewer  hands  and  more  work  in  the  oil 
country.  f 

Without  self-help  and  a  higher  standard  of  living,  such  assistance  coming  fro 
without  will  be  of  very  partial  advantage.     Generally  speaking,  the  expeuse  of  en' 
gration  is  so  small  that  those  who  are  likely  to  become  good  emigrants  are  tho 
who  can  save  enough  to  emigrate — the  cost  is  a  fair  test  of  fitness.     But,  as  in  otb 
instances,  cliarity  is  in  no  way  fettered  by  the  application  itself.     If  emigration 
a  good  remedy  in  a  particular  case  and  can  be  applied  without   removing  natur 
obligations,  charity  may  well  use  it,  as  in  other  cases  it  would  obtain  admission  to 
home.     Many  wish  and  ask  to  be  assisted  to  emigrate  who,  even  if  geueraily  suij 
able  as  emigrants,  can  be  equally  well  aided  in  other  ways.     Sometimes,  when 
medical  opinion  is  given  to  the  effect  that  a  breadwinner  out  of  health  in  l-^uglai' 
Avould  be  strong  and  able  to  support  himself  in  a  colony,  c.  g.,  at  the  Cape,  he  ai 
his  family  have  been  sent  out.     The  following  is  a  case  in  which  a  good  coustitutio 
''handiness,"  and  a  large  family  of  sons  were  considered  reasons  for  assisting  to  en' 
grate.  ' 

R.  (42),  married,  with  eight  eliildren,  from  14  years  to  11  months  old,  was  for  eigL' 
een  years  up  to  a  year  ago  in  and  out  door  servant  for  a  lady  who  resided  partly 
Hackney  and  partly  in  Devon.  He  was  discharged  on  her  death  with  a  quartei 
salary  and  had  not  been  able  to  hnd  any  permanent  employuient  since.  He  has 
high  character  of  honesty  and  intelligence,  but  being  of  somewhat  mean  appea 
ance  and  not  a  skillful  workman,  he  had  little  prospect  of  supporting  his  fami 
in  England.  He  had  been  used  to  gardening  and  looking  after  stock.  It  w! 
therefore  proposed  to  send  him  to  Canada,  where  there  was  a  better  opening  fori 
handy,  hard-working  man.  The  cost,  £50,  was  large,  but  destitution  seemed  tl 
only  alternative. 

In  this  instance  the  guardians  granted  £10.  They,  or  rather  the  local  governme 
hoard,  if  set  in  motion  by  them,  have  large  j^otvers  in  regard  to  (^migration.  If  am 
jority  of  owners  and  ratepayers,  assembled  at  a  duly  convened  meeting,  so  direct,  th( 
may,  with  the  approval  of  the  local  government  board,  pay  from  a  fund  special 
raised  for  the  purpose  the  expenses  of  poor  jJersons  settled  in  their  union  and  icilling  \ 
emigrate.  This  fund,  it  is  stipulated,  must  not  exceed  half  the  average  annual  ra^ 
for  the  three  preceding  years,  and  is  repayable  in  five  years.  j 

By  order  of  the  poor  law  board,  and  in  conformity  with  their  regulations,  tl 
guardians  may,  at  the  expense  of  the  common  fund  of  the  union,  procure,  or  assi 
in  procuring,  the  emigration  of  any  person  who  is  irremovable  by  reason  of  a  residen', 
of  one  year. 

Further,  the  guardians  may,  with  the  order  and  subject  to  the  rules  of  the  loc 
government  board,  expend,  without  being  authorized  to  do  so  by  any  previous  meetii . 
of  owners  and  ratepayers,  any  sum  not  exceeding  £10,  ''in  and  about"  the  emigr 
tion  of  m^j  poor  person  settled  in  the  union,  so  long  as  the  total  moneys  so  expeDd( 
do  not  exceed  one-half  the  average  poor  rate  during  the  last  three  years. 


enfo:rcement  of  alien  contract  labor  laws.       199 

The  guardians  can  thus,  if  there  is  a  crisis  requiring  such  remedies,  provide  for  the 
emigration  of  a  large  numher  of  persons;  they  can  also  assist  individual  cases,  erere 
though  tliey  are  not  at  the  time  paupers.  The  confirmation  of  the  local  government 
board  is  necessary,  and  therefore  the  decision  rests  in  their  hands.  Owing  to  the 
representations  from  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  the  local  government  are 
precluded,  except  in  very  special  cases,  from  sanctioning  emigration  to  that  country  at 
the  cost  of  the  poor  rate. 

Now,  under  the  local  government  act,  1888,  the  county  councils  may  from  time  to 
time,  with  the  consent  of  the  local  government  board,  borrow  for,  among  other  pur- 
poses, ''making  advances  (which  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  make)  to  any  persons 
or  bodies  of  persons,  corporate  or  unincorporate,  in  aid  of  the  emigration  or  coloniza- 
tion of  inhabitants  of  the  county,  with  a  guaranty  for  the  repayment  of  such  advances 
from  any  local  authority  in  the  county  or  the  government  of  the  colony.^'  This 
clause  gives  to  a  new  and  more  widely  represented  body  the  option  for  raising  a  fund 
•for  emigration.  But  it  does  not  interfere  with  the  powers  already  possessed  by  the 
guardians.  Further,  the  fund  is  to  be  raised  under  two  very  exact  restrictions. 
Only  advances  are  made  by  it,  and  these  are  payable  on  guaranty,  either  by  the 
colony  or  by  the  local  authority;  and  the  only  local  authority  that  would  apj)ear  to 
be  competent  to  give  a  guaranty  for  repayment  is  the  board  of  guardians.  But  if 
the  board  of  guardians  deal  w4th  these  emigration  cases  the  objections  now  taken  to 
f* pauper^'  emigration  hold  good.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the  colony  gives  the  guar- 
anty, it  has  indirectly  a  complete  check  on  the  amount  of  money  exj)ended  and  the 
conditions  imposed  in  sending  emigrants  to  it. 

To  the  enactments  by  Avhich  the  machinery  of  the  poor  law  can  be  utilized  for 
purposes  of  emigration,  the  not  unreasonable  objection,  just  referred  to,  is  taken, 
that  the  colonies  are  unwilling  to  admit  the  emigrants  who  bear  the  reproach  of 
being  "pauper"  emigrants.  But,  even  if  this  be  admitted,  it  is  almost  certain  that 
Qo  other  state-aided  system  would  serve  the  purpose  better.  "Is  wheat-growing  so 
profitahle  an  industry  in  any  part  of  the  world  juet  now  thai  it  should  be  selected  as  the 
one  to  be  subsidised  by  state  aid  or  state  credit,  so  as  to  induce  more  jyersons  to  embarl:  in  it  f 
,Does  it  re(iuire  so  little  skill  and  experience  as  to  be  a  suitable  resource  for  the  ni\- 
ismployed  man,  whatever  his  previous  occupation?  Those  whom  it  is  contemplated 
to  take  as  state-aided  emigrants  are,  for  the  most  part,  men  who  have  fallen  more 
below  than  above  the  average  capacity."  In  fact,  highly  organized  attempts  at  em- 
igration iu  large  bodies  have  seldom  met  with  success;  and  when  philanthropists 
most  desire  emigration  for  others,  jieople  in  general,  if  we  may  trust  the  returns, 
ire  rather  less  inclined  to  emigrate,  for  the  rise  in  emigration  is  generally  coincident 
with  improving,  the  fall  with  declining  trade.  On  the  whole,  then,  state-aided  emi- 
^^ration  or  emigration  organized  on  a  large  scale  can  not  be  advocated.  It  is  better 
to  trust  to  individual  enterprise. 

In  the  case  of  orphan  or  deserted  children  who  are  under  the  age  of  16  and  charge- 
;ible  to  the  union,  and  who  have  not  i^lace  of  settlement,  or  whose  place  of  settlement 
is  unknown,  the  guardians,  with  the  consent  of  the  local  government  board,  may 
orocure  or  assist  jn  procuring  emigration.  The  consent  of  the  child  must  be  given 
before  justices  iu  petty  sessions,  and  a  certificate  of  this  consent  has  to  be  transmitted 
jto  the  local  government  board. 

And  on  page  164,  under  the  sixty-uiutli  subdivision,  "Applications 
or  Jews,  foreigners,  natives  of  Asia,  etc.,"  we  find  the  following: 

Applications  are  often  received  from  foreigners.  Last  year  there  was  in  the  east 
of  London  a  notorious  case  of  certain  Syrians,  who  stated  that  they  started  from  the 
neighborhood  of  Mount  Lebanon,  with  the  intention  of  going  to  Brazil.  There  are 
many  such  Syrian  emigrants,  who  live  by,  among  other  means,  begging  and  selling 
"trinkets  and  beads  from  Jerusalem  and  Bethlehem."  This  party  said  that  on  their 
arrival  at  London  they  were  told  that  the  destination  of  their  ship  was  altered;  a 
part  of  their  fare  was  returned  to  them  and  they  were  landed.  Their  first  misad- 
venture was  to  be  robbed  of  their  money  by  a  lodging-honse  keeper. 

Afterwards  an  Afghan,  with  whom  they  became  acquainted — 

Wrote  begging  letters  for  them,  petitions  which  they  carried  about,  and  took  them 
to  the  Thames  police  court,  the  mansion  house,  several  of  the  foreign  embassies, 
charitable  agencies,  and  private  persons  connected  with  or  interested  in  Syria, 
Then  they  took  to  begging  in  the  streets,  were  brought  before  the  magistrates,  cau- 
tioned frequeutly,  and  at  last  put  in  prison.  This  did  not  deter  them,  however; 
they  became  more  cautious  and  obtained  hawkers'  licenses.  Eventually  they  raised 
enough  money  to  pay  their  way  to  America. 

On  page  177  of  the  Addenda,  at  the  sixth  subdivision,  under  the  head, 


I 


200    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

"  Expenditure  on  Emigration,  authorized  by  local  government  bo 
1887-88,"  is  found  tliis  very  significant  statement: 

In  1887  the  local  government  board  authorized  expenditure  on  behalf  of  712  emij 
grants,  to  the  amount  of  £5,253.    Of  this  sum  £4,193  was  expended  in  the  emigral " 
of  411  children;  £70  was  spent  in  returui^ig  7  foreigners  to  their  native  couni 
The  United  States  of  America  are  not  included.     Any  expenditure  authorized  in  re* 
of  emigration  to  tliat  country  has  been  limited  to  the  cost  of  conveyance  to  the  port  of 
harJcation. 

In  tlie  twenty- second  annual  report  of  tlie  council  of  tlie  Society 
Organizing  Charitable  Kelief  and  Eepressing  Mendicity,  of  London,  181 
of  which  the  highest  personages  in  England  are  patrons,  president,  vice 
presidents,  council,  and  committees,  there  will  be  found  on  page  31  the' 
following : 

The  report  of  the  emigration  snhcommittee  is  given  helow.     The  district  committet. 
and  the  council  are  anxious  to  further  the  subcommittee's  policy  of  creating  a  di- 
vision between  emigration  societies.     From  various  causes,  emigration  has  been  dur- 
ing the  past  year  at  a  lower  ebb  than  it  has  been  lor  some  time,  and  the  more  reasor 
does  there  seem  for  a  reduction  of  working  expenses.     The  subcommittee  have  ar 
ranged  for  it,  through  the  services  of  the  East  End  emigration  fund,  with  which 
they  are  in  very  close  cooperation.     They  have  also  done  something  toward  further-, 
ing  cooiieratiou  in  the  case  of  other  societies.     They  hope  eventually,  by  this  means, 
to  promote  economy  and  to  help  the  emigration  societies  of  London  to  obtain  a  bettei 
hearing  on  questions  bearing  on  emigration,  and  to  promote  a  system  of  emigratioi^ 
which  may  be  according  to  the  actual  needs  of  the  people  from  year  to  year. 

And  on  page  33,  Ax)pendix  1,  in  the  report  of  the  emigration  siibl 
committee,  there  is  found  tliis  very  significant  portion  of  th€  reportr'  \ 

With  one  or  two  exceptions,  in  which  the  emigrants  belied  the  character  we  hac 
of  them  and  turned  out  to  be  drunkards,  the  accounts  we  have  received  have  beer 
entirely  satisfactory.  Only  a  few,  comparatively,  have  written  to  us ;  but  letters  arc 
sometimes  written  by  them  to  the  district  committees,  Avhich  are  passed  outoth(, 
subcommittee;  and  many  most  satisfactory  letters  have  been  received  by  the  Easi 
End  emigration  fund,  showing  that  with  snfdcient  care  in  selection  emigrants  fron 
London  need  not  fail  to  do  well.  Repayments  of  passage  m<mey  lent  have  coutinuec' 
to  be  made,  but  only  a  very  small  amount.  Several  of  our  applicaiions  this  year  han 
teen  from  relations  of  those  helped  out  by  us  in  previous  years.  This  is  a  sufficient  prooj; 
that  the  latter  are  doing  well,  and  is  satisfactory  as  far  as  it  goes,  for  it  indicates  that  om^ 
work  leads  to  continuing  as  ivell  as  to  the  completed  results. 

That  is  to  say,  that  paupers  who  have  been  sent  out  as  emigrants] 
from  London  ^^Tite  back  to  the  same  emigration  society  who  assisted 
them,  asking  it  to  assist  their  pauper  relatives  to  go  out  as  emigrants 
instead  of  sending  for  them  themselves  j  and  this  isa  ;proof  that  the  firs, 
jfaiijper  emigrants  are  doing  tcelL 

We  quote  from  page  34 : 

In  the  past  year  the  subcommittee  have  made  grants  in  a  somewhat  larger  pro 
portion  to  loans  than  last  year.  They  are  of  the  opinion  that  a  discretion  should,  af ' 
heretofore,  be  allowed  to  them  to  make  a  grant  or  a  loan  as  the  circumstances  o: 
each  case  seem  to  make  desirable.  *  *  *  Another  step  in  the  direction  of  or^/flw- 
ization  of  emigration  has  been  made  by  the  formation  of  an  emigration  council,  whicli 
arose  out  of  several  conferences  between  the  East  End  Emigration  Fund,  the  Self 
Help  Emigration  Society,  and  our  subcommittee.  The  council,  it  apj)ears,  con 
sists  of  representatives  of  each  of  these  three  societies,  and  it  is  hoped  will  hereaftei 
include  also  representatives  from  other  societies.  An  emigration  council  so  consti 
tuted  will  be  able  to  speak  and  to  appeal  to  the  public  with  more  authority  on  emi 
gration  questions,  and  will  form  a  nucleus  for  united  action  when  occasion  de' 
mands. 

On  page  35  will  be  found  a  record  of  76  persons  assisted  by  this  so 
ciety  during  last  year  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  and  Canada 
And  on  page  36  will  be  found  the  record  of  the  years  1887,  106  persons; 
assisted  to  emigrate;  1888,  458  persons;  1889,  242  persons;  1890,  13^' 
persons.    Total  number,  1,304  persons. 


1 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    201 

And  on  page  89  of  tlie  same  report  will  be  found  the  subscription 
list,  amounting  to  £815  15^.  to  assist  emigration 

.  I  may  say  that  the  eniigration  department  of  this  society  I  found  by 
accident  in  the  third  story  of  a  building  in  which  the  ground  story  is 
'Occupied  by  the  secretaries  of  this  and  other  societies,  and  there  was 
no  sign  in  the  hallway  or  anywhere  leading  up  to  this  door. 

I  inclose  a  list  of  penitentiaries,  homes,  and  refuges  for  fallen  women 
in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  The  same  shows  that  there  are  82  such 
institutions  in  London,  160  in  the  provinces  in  England,  14  in  Scotland, 
'and  12  in  Ireland.  I  lind  I  only  have  the  reports  of  one  of  these  insti- 
tutions, which  is  the  report  of  the  Glasgow  house  of  shelter  for  fallen 
women  of  1890;  and  13  cases  are  selected  and  given  in  this  report  and 
a  majority  of  them,  to  wit,  7,  it  may  from  the  reading  be  fairly  inferred 
were  sent  to  the  United  States. 

In  the  story  of  the  Bradford  union,  it  is  shown,  on  pages  2-3,  that  in 
1871  the  Bradford  iDoorhouse  or  union,  as  it  is  called,  had,  in  com- 
mon with  all  other  unions  in  England,  a  permanent  system  of  outdoor 
'paupers  to  the  number  of  999,  and  259  indoor;  that  at  that  time  the 
committee,  instead  of  having  a  permanent  list  of  paupers,  commenced 
jto  examine  every  pauper  each  week,  and  on  page  3  they  say  that,  after 
•adopting  this  system,  ''somehoAV  or  another  after  a  short  time  they  dis- 
appear.'^ 

I  And  on  page  4  they  state  that  in  1871  1  in  13  of  the  population  were 
paupers,  and  in  1891  only  1  in  110  of  the  population  were  paupers;  and 
(that  in  1871  the  tax  for  poor-law  purposes  was  24Jc?.  in  the  pound  of  in- 
come, and  in  1891  only  5J^.  in  the  pound. 

And  on  page  5  he  attributes  this  great  decrease  to  the  fact  that  they 
make  up  a  private  fund  from  those  interested  in  the  vicinity  to  pension, 
as  it  is  called  in  this  report,  the  jjaupers ;  which  seems  to  be  no  cure 
,for  pauperism  unless  the  pension  sx)oken  of  be  for  the  imrpose  of  ridding 
the  community  of  the  paupers.  At  all  events,  I  was  told  in  many 
places  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  that  a  few  years  ago,  at  least,  many 
poor  people  were  assisted  to  emigrate  and  generally  to  the  United 
States. 

In  the  annual  report  of  Dr.  Barnardo's  homes,  east  end  of  London, 
for  the  year  1888,  on  page  34  of  it  will  be  found  that  3,773  had  been  sent 
to  the  colonies,  of  which  489  had  been  sent  to  Canada  in  1888. 

On  pages  133  and  134  will  be  found  the  following : 

Of  course  here  (Sturge  House),  as  iu  so  many  other  departments  of  my  Tvork,  the 
road  often  leads  up  to  emigration.  Temptation  comes  with  added  force  to  those  who 
have  been  for  a  while  withdrawn  from  its  attacks.  It  is  the  special  aim  of  Miss 
Kennedy,  and  those  who  Avork  under  her,  to  strengthen  the  girls  against  this,  and 

.  to  do  80  effectually  requires  in  many  jjlaces  that  they  should  be  taken  out  ol  their 
surroundings  and  have  a  new  sky  overhead.     In  every  one  of  my  girl  parties  of  emi- 

,  grants  in  recent  years  there  have  been  included  two  or  more  of  the  quondam  inmates 
of  Sturge  House.  These  have  done  fairly  well  in  Canada,  and  if  this  particular 
agency  could  but  be  extended  there  would  be  practically  an  illimitable  field  for 
sending  out  those  who  have  i^roved  themselves  capable. 

At  page  181,  chapter  25,  on  emigration,  commences  the  story  of 
emigrating  the  poor  children  from  the  east  of  London  to  America, 
mostly  to  Canada;  and,  as  an  argument  in  favor  of  emigration,  he 
says : 

The  waifs  and  strays  are  ever  growing  up  and  new  generations  of  equal  misery 
taking  their  places.  A  rescue  home  must  therefore  be  continuously  gathering  in 
fresh  inmates;  else  it  would  be  compelled  in  a  single  generation  to  give  the  signal  of 
retreat  and  close  its  doors,  and  write  up  in  the  face  of  new  applications:  ''No  ad- 
mission." But  to  secure  an  ojpen  door  in  front  it  must  maintain  its  exif  door  in  the 
rear. 


202    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

And  after  giving  further  facts  and  figures  in  reference  to  the  impossiv 
bility  of  taking  care  of  the  poor  waifs  in  East  London,  without  sonn; 
means  of  sending  them  aAvay,  he  says : 

At  this  conjuncture,  emigration  presents  itself  Q&  the  simultaneous  solution  of  a  whoL' 
nest  of  sucli  like  intractable  problems.  ' 

And  on  page  133  he  further  says :  ' 

It  suggests  Canada  as  the  proper  direction  of  out  future  emigration  for  years  to  come 
Canada  is  our  nearest  colony.  It  possesses  an  admirable  climate.  Tbe  journej 
thithoT  is  sliort  iind  inexpensive.  Above  all,  Canada  wants  settlers,  and  can  absorr. 
hundreds  and  tliousand  of  boys  and  girls  for  a  long  future.  ' 

And  on  page  185,  in  a  strong  argument  for  a  visitation  among  th( 
poor  boys  and  girls  sent  to  Canada  by  some  one  from  his  own  society 
he  quotes  from  the  bishop  of  London,  at  a  conference  in  London  on  thii 
subject  J  his  lordship  saying: 

I  am  sure  that  we  ought  not  to  facilitate  the  emigration  of  our  poor  children  un 
less  we  are  sure  that  there  are  arrangements  made  on  the  other  side  for  giving  fron 
time  to  time  information  in  regard  to  them. 

In  the  last  three  years  about  500  children  have  been  sent  out  to  Canada  by  thf 
boards  of  guardians  (which  are  the  poorhouse  establishments). 

How  many  of  these  poor  little  atoms  of  mortality  do  we  know  anything  of  no"w 
from  information  supplied  on  the  other  side?  Only  twenty-six!  Tliat  fact  speaks 
for  itself.  In  facilitating  the  emigration  of  children,  let  us  take  care  that  there  is 
somebody  who  will  take  these  poor  little  tilings  by  the  hand,  look  after  them  on  the 
other  side,  and  then  from  time  to  time  tell  us  how  they  fare. 

On  pages  188  and  189  are  given  statistics  in  reference  to  sending 
boys  and  girls  to  Canada;  and  up  to  that  year,  1888,  there  had  beei 
2,400  boys  and  girls  sent  to  Canada  alone.  It  is  but  fair  to  say  thai 
Dr.  Barnardo,  in  his  report  on  emigration,  claims  that  the  boys  anc 
girls  have  been  trained  before  they  were  sent  away.  But  on  page  181 
it  is  shown  that  the  average  term  of  residence  in  the  homes  in  Euglanc 
before  being  sent  is  only  six  months  and  a  half.  And  on  the  same  pagt 
it  is  stated  that  53  per  cent  of  those  sent  away  were,  when  taken  intc 
the  homes,  actually  living  on  and  hy  the  streets  of  London. 

I  mention  this  movement  to  Canada  in  connection  with  other  move* 
ments  in  reference  to  criminals  and  paupers  in  Great  Britain,  becausef 
I  am  informed  that  Commissioner  Schulties  will  present  the  figures 
from  the  Owen  investigation  committee's  report  sliowing  the  fact  thai' 
the  charitable  and  penal  institutions  in  the  United  States  along  th€ 
Canada  border  have  the  largest  percentage  of  foreign  inmates. 

The  Charities  Eegister  and  Digest  of  London  is  a  book  containing' 
920  pages,  giving  a  short  description  of  each  charitable  society  in  Lou  | 
don.  I  have  in  my  possession  also  a  similar  description  of  Clasgow 
charitable  institutions,  containing  121  pages,  and  also  the  EdinburgL; 
report  of  the  same  character,  containing  97  pages.  It  would  only  take 
a  very  few  emigrants  to  this  country,  assisted  by  each  one  of  these 
various  societies,  to  make  an  enormous  number  of  a  most  undesirabh 
class  for  the  United  States  during  the  course  of  ten  years. 

I  quote  from  an  article  cut  by  me  from  the  London  Times  or  Standard" 
about  September  25,  1891,  concerning  the  seventeenth  annual  confer 
ence  of  representatives  of  the  boards  of  guardians  in  the  northwes 
poor-law  district,  which  embraces  Lancaster  and  Cheshire,  in  Engla 
Some  of  the  figures  are  exceedingly  instructive  when  takeu  in  tli<^ 
light  of  the  above  laws  of  England  regarding  the  assisting  of  pooi] 
people  to  emigrate,  which  I  referred  to.  In  the  report  it  is  stated 
that  on  January  1,  1891,  there  were  780,000  paupers  in  England  and 
Wales.    The  indoor  poor  numbered  198,000  3  the  outdoor  poor,  582,000, 


L 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    203 

The  number  of  paupers  to  tlie  population  was  stated  to  be  1  in  38  per- 
sons. Of  the  whole  number  of  paupers  75,000  were  insane  and  5,500 
were  vagrants.  Four  hundred  and  sixty-two  thousand  of  the  num- 
ber were  adult  males  and  females,  and  235,000  were  children  under  16 
years  of  age.  He  shows  that  the  number  of  paui^ers  now  is  smaller 
than  it  has  been  for  thirty-five  years.  The  proportion  of  paupers  he 
states  to  be  to  the  population  22.7  per  1,000,  as  compared  with  47.1 
per  1,000  in  1865.  Whether  this  decrease  is  at  all  due  to  the  emigra- 
tion of  the  paupers  or  poor  people  who  sometimes  receive  outdoor 
rehef  to  either  the  United  States  or  to  the  various  British  colonies, 
or  to  both,  or  not,  is  a  question,  of  course,  which  can  only  be  conjec- 
tured. 

POSSIBLE  EMIGRATION   OF  THE   TIN  WORKERS  FROM  WALES. 

I  Fnder  verbal  suggestions  received  from  you  regarding  the  possible 
large  emigration  of  the  tin  workers  from  the  great  manufacturing  plants 
in  South  Wales,  which  have  Swansea  for  their  center,  in  company  with 
Commissioner  Pow^derly  I  spent  considerable  time  in  that  district  again 
4n  August. 

i  When  I  was  there  in  July,  as  I  have  before  stated,  thirty-eight  of 
the  forty- two  of  the  various  x>hmts  manufacturing  the  material  entering 
into  the  finished  tin  plate  were  shut  down  during  that  month.  Six 
iweeks  after  they  were  first  shut  down,  out  of  twenty-six  mills  man- 
ufacturing tin  in  Morristown,  only  ten  had  started  up,  and  this  was 
about  the  ratio  throughout. 

I  In  view  of  the  many  questions  which  it  may  become  incumbent  on 
your  Department  to  decide,  I -give  below  the  result  of  my  inrestiga- 
tions.  In  the  work  on  the  history  of  tin  manufacturing  will  be  found 
the  authority  and  figures  which  will  substantiate  most  of  the  facts 
given  by  me.  There  can  be  no  doubt  from  this  work,  and  from  the 
general  information  gained  by  me,  that  the  masters  of  the  tin-work- 
ing i)lants  of  South  Wales  have  been  absolutely  confident  of  their 
hold  on  the  tin-plate  trade  of  the  United  States  for  all  near  times. 

Out  of  2,837,776  boxes  exported  in  1878,  1,931,128  boxes  went  to  the 
United  States  ports.  In  1875,  out  of  35,600  tons  of  tin  used  annually, 
9,500  tons  were  mined  in  Cornwall.  The  price  of  tin  during  this  year 
in  South  Wales  has  averaged  about  £96  per  ton.  I  had  various  esti- 
mates given  me  of  the  relative  amounts  of  Cornwall  tin  and  tin  from 
other  sources,  mostly  from  Australia,  used  at  Swansea,  and  it  varied 
from  1  ton  of  Cornwall  tin  to  from  10  to  20  tons  of  Australian  tin,  mixed 
together. 

I  was  told  by  an  old  tin-plate  worker,  below  referred  to  as  Mr.  Price 
(who  had  been  in  the  United  States  and  had  taught  tin-plate  workers 
to  make  tin  in  Kussia),  that  20  tons  of  Australian  tin  metal  is  used  at 
Swansea  to  1  ton  of  Cornwall  tin.  This  would  go  to  show  since  1875  a 
very  much  larger  proportion  of  Australian  and  other  foreign  tin  is  being- 
used  by  the  Welch  tin  manufacturers.  This  becomes  important,  as  the 
masters  say  to  the  men  that  the  American  tin  is  too  rich  to  work  suc- 
cessfully j  but  two  old  tin  workers,  one,  Mr.  Price,  and  another  a 

^Ir. ,  of  Morriston,  both  of  whom  had  Avorked  at  iron  and  steel 

works  in  America,  told  me  the  Australian  tin  had  the  same  trouble — 
too  rich — yet  so  much  of  it  is  worked,  as  above  indicated.  It  is  mixed 
with  Cornwall  tin,  and  I  was  told  by  a  steel  worker  in  one  of  the 
works  that  the  only  thing  done  to  reduce  the  richness  of  Australian 


204    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

tin  is  to  cover  tlie  tin  when  melted  with  any  old  iron  or  steel  worki 
slag.  This,  he  said,  was  the  process  used,  and  the  only  one,  except  t<* 
mix  with  Cornwall  tin  in  small  parts. 

The  book  above  referred  to  contains  lists  of  all  tin-plate  works  in  tbi' 
world.  It  has  the  general  sentirneht  runuiug  all  through  it  that  sue; 
cessful  tin-plate  workers  must  commence  when  boys,  and  spend  a  life^ 
time  in  it. 

I  give  you  my  opinion  below.  ■ 

I  inclose  a  price  list  of  tin  workers'  unions  in  Swansea  and  thar 
district  which  has  been  maintained  for  twenty  years.  We  found  thtj 
tin-plate  factories  greatly  demoralized.  After  the  month's  shut  down:'! 
spoken  of  above,  but  little  over  one-half  have  started  at  all,  and  thes(* 
make  each  set  of  workers  lose  one  turn  a  week  (really  one  day's  worl, 
a  week). 

Mr.  AYilliams,  the  tin-plate  king,  told  his  steel-workers  (making  steej 
bars  for  the  tin-plate  works)  that  he  could  only  compete  for  the  Ameri^ 
can  trade  by  reducing  their  pay  28  per  cent — one  boy  told  me  it  woul(| 
be  30  i)er  cent  on  his  pay,  but  the  workmen  agreed  it  was  28  per  centi 
So  all  his  steel-workers  were  then  on  a  strike.    His  clerks  were  cuttiiij 
the  steel  bars  into  proper  lengths  for  the  tin  works.     They  were  poiiite( 
out  to  me  by  workmen  as  "those  white-collared  fellows  over  there." 
The  masters  had  not  yet,  so  far  as  we  could  learo,  asked  the  tin-plat" 
workers  to  reduce  their  price.    The  tin  men  feared  the  masters  wei' 
commencing  first  on  the  steel  works  because  they  are  the  more  numei 
ous  all  over  the  kingdom. 

The  representative  of  the  masters,  Mr.  Fox,  a  Scotchman,  the  edito 
of  their  financial  and  trade  paper,  who  called  onus,  told  me  that  i' 
would  take  America  ten  years  before  she  could  supply  herself  with  tiil 
plates,  if  she  succeeded  in  making  them  at  all,  even,  which  he  doubtedji 
and  meantime,  for  the  next  ten  j^ears  the  tin-plate  masters  and  worker! 
would,  give  America  the  hardest  fight  she  ever  had  in  the  field  of  maun, 
facture  and  trade.  The  men,  he  said,  tcould  reduce  their  pay,  which  h, 
also  said  was,  and  had  been,  very  good.  They  preferred  their  uativ-j 
land,  had  families,  and  could  not  well  go,  and  so  they  would  all  unit-jl 
to  keep  the  United  States  trade.  I 

I  give  an  estimate  of  wages,  and  time  to  learn^  the  various  parts  of  thi 
trade  by  a  bright  vrorkman.  j 

Steel-workers. — First  hand,  13J<Z.  i)er  ton;  second  hand,  dd,;  thirt 
hand,  6<?.,  or,  first  hand,  15s.  per  day;  second  hand,  13s.;  to  14s;  thh( 
hand,  7s.  to  8s.  Ten  and  one-half  and  thirteen  and  one-half  hour  shifty 
arranged  between  workmen.  Pig  iron,  about  £3 15s.  per  ton ;  scrap  iron 
about  £4  10s.;  steel  bars,  about  £6  10s.  aSTo  girls  or  boys  employed 
First  hand,  three  years  to  learn;  second  hand,  two  years;  third 
one  year. 

Boiling  mill  for  rolling  {none  hut  men  employed). — Twelve-hour  shi 
one  roller  man;  19s. to  20s.  2d.  per  day;  takes  seven  to  eight  years 
learn.     Two  roughers,  15s.  per  day;  four  years  to  learn.     One  co 
laborer,  4s.  M.  per  day. 

Tin  rolling  mill. — One  roller;  9s.  to  10s.  per  day.  One  behinder  t 
catch  plates  and  send  back  to  roller;  4s.  to  4s.  5d.  per  day;  five  year 
to  learn.  Furnace  men  to  heat  tin  plates;  7s.  to  8s.  per  day;  two  year 
to  learn.  Doubter  to  double  plates  three  times;  eight  thicknesses;  Si^ 
to  9s.  per  day ;  three  to  four  years  to  learn.  Shearers,  who  cut  the  eigb; 
pMtes  when  rolled  together  into  proper  sizes.  (I  do  not  seem  to  haVj 
written  down  his  estimates  on  shearers).  Openers:  Girls  do  the  opei 
'ing  of  the  tin  plates  (the  eight  sheets  after  being  cut).    They  commenc 


J. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    205 

when  13  to  14  years  old  and  work  till  married.  They  learn  at  once  and 
work  nine  hours  per  day;  earn  about  lis.  to  12,s-.  per  week.  Picklers, 
those  who  i^ickle  the  steel  in  sulphuric  acid  (the  vitriol,  they  call  it)  to 
clean  them  of  oil  and  dirt;  work  eight  to  nine  hours;  earn  about  £2  os. 
per  week;  takes  six  years  to  learn.  Block  annealing,  putting  plates 
'into  square  iron  boxes,  air  tight,  on  wheels  and  backed  into  a  hot 
furnace  by  means  of  long  poles  to  the  axletree  on  wheels;  three  men 
and  three  boys;  simply  heating  and  then  rolled  in  cold  rolls.  The 
j  foreman  earns  £2  2s.  i)er  wxek ;  other  men,  28s.  to  24s. ;  boys  16s.  and 
12s.  AU  work  nine  hours.  Cold-roU  boys;  Is.  Id.  per  day;  nine 
hours. 

In  tin  house. — Tinman,  who  dips  first  surface,  runs  rolls,  earns  9s.  to 
10s.  to  lis.  per  day  by  piece;  washman,  same  earnings  per  day  by  piece; 
both  take  four  to  five  years  to  learn.  Eaisers  earn  4s.  Qd.  per  day. 
Girls  to  rub  in  bran  (anyone  can  do),  nine  hours,  7s.  per  week. 
Dusters,  girls,  same;  ds.  to  7s.  per  week.  Assorters,  ten  to  eleven 
hours;  earn  £2  5s.  i)er  week;  takes  five  to  seven  years  to  learn.  Girls 
count;  earn  Os.  Id.  per  week. 

He  said  many  men  would  now  go  to  America  if  they  could  be  as- 
sured of  work.  Some  will  go  any  way  (if  they  can  get  means), '» on  si:)ec," 
as  they  call  it  (take  their  chances  of  getting  work)  if  works  stoj)  here, 
or  if  price  is  materially  cut  down. 

A  young  man  told  me  he  went  in  when  13,  is  now  18  and  a  behinder, 
and  earns  £1  os.  per  week,  but  is  on  short  time.  He  said  a  young  man 
who  puts  his  mind  and  attention  to  the  work  could  be  a  good  roller  or 
shearer  in  two  years. 

The  man  who  showed  me  the  clerks  cutting  steel  for  the  tin  works, 
in  Williams'  steel  works,  thought  many  of  the  workers  would  go  to 
America  if  this  demoralization  continued. 

A  shearer  who  went  in  at  13  years  of  age,  and  now  has  a  boy  14  years 
old  in  the  works,  said  he  would  make  the  age  14  by  law  when  boys  can 
commence  work.  (Law  is  now  13  years.)  But  thought  it  very  hard 
for  large  families  if  the  boys  could  not  work.  His  whole  family  are  in 
the  trade,  his  father  a  manager. 

His  estimates  were:  Girls — opening  plates,  13s.  per  week;  pickling, 
2s.  per  day;  rubbing,  2s.  6d.  per  day;  dusting,  2s.  per  day;  counting,  2s. 
M.  per  day.  Each  mill,  13  men,  2  boys,  2  girls.  In  one  set  in  coat- 
ing (putting  on  tin),  2  men,  1  boy,  3  girls. 

He  estimates  the  average  of  the  five  grades  of  workmen  as  below,  per 
day,  12s.  (by  piece). 

Time  to  learn :  KoUer,  3  years ;  shearer,  1  to  2  years ;  tinman,  3 
years;  washer,  3  years;  assorter,  1  to  2  years. 

He,  like  most  of  the  masters  and  workmen,  claims  that  the  best  and 
only  good  workmen  commence  when  boys  and  serve  a  long  time  in  each 
department ;  that  it  takes  many  years  for  the  heater  to  know  when  the 
bar  is  hot  enough,  the  rollers  to  know  how  to  do  the  w^ork  evenly,  and 
to  know  when  thin  enough,  the  boy  how  to  apply  the  £Tease  to  the 
bearings  and  wheels  so  as  not  to  cause  disaster,  the  shearer  to  know 
which  size  he  can  cut  a  bunch  of  sheets  into,  and  so  on  through  all  the 
processes. 

A  shearer  at  Morriston,  who  had  worked  fourteen  years  in  America, 
in  steel  works,  but  who  had  been  a  tin- worker  before  and  since,  and 
did  not  commence  until  he  was  21  years  old,  told  me  that  there  were 
plenty  of  tin-workers  in  America  now.  He  said  they  made  good  but 
costly  tin  in  America  fourteen  years  ago,  near  Pittsburg;  also  that  the 
II.  Ex.  37 49 


206    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

steel- workers  of  America  are  even  better  than  their  own ;  and  as  to  mak 
ing  the  steel  they  do  it  now  in  the  United  States  quite  well  enough 
That  many  of  the  black  tin  rollers  and  makers  in  the  IJnited  States  noT 
were  formerly  tin-workers  in  Wales ;  vthat  thousands  of  tin-workers  liav( 
gone  from  Wales  to  work  in  other  metals  in  IJnited  States,  and  tha 
they  would  soon  become  expert  again;  that  the  process  of  rolling  blacl  i 
tin  is  the  same  as  white  tin,  and  the  American  black- tin  workers  ar<  • 
equal  to  any  in  the  world,  and  that  these  black-tin  rollers  can  roll  th( 
plates  for  white  tin  as  well  as  anyone  after  a  little  experience  in  rolling 
thin.  He  also  said  as  to  shearing  (he  is  a  shearer),  tinning,  and  wash 
ing,  etc.,  that  good  metal-workers,  if  they  put  their  minds  on  the  mattei 
closely,  could  learn  the  business  in  one  to  two  years. 

He  said  tin  can  and  will  be  made  in  America;  that  they  mix  Austra 
lian  tin  (which  is  like  the  American  tin,  very  rich)  with  the  Cornwal 
tin;  also  that  he  and  many  of  the  men  had  shares  in  the  compan^Mj 
stock;  that  the  profits  are  enormous.     His  shares  had  paid  him  40  ^ffli 
cent  per  year.     He  thinks  the  masters  are  going  to  try  and  compete 
with  the  Americans  for  the  American  trade;  that  they  are  cuttiu<; 
down  the  steel- workers  first,  and  next  will  come  the  tin- workers.    He 
thought  that  two-thirds  of  all  their  tin  plates  go  to  the  United  States  •  ;i 
He  does  not  think  the  richness  of  the  American  tin  will  be  any  serioui;   ill 
trouble.    He  claimed  that  if  the  tin- workers  are  reduced  in  price  thej 
will  leave  if  they  can  be  assured  of  work.    He  thought  1,000  tin- work 
ers  had  been  advanced  in  the  last  year,  and  young  and  new  ones  com^M: 
in  to  take  places  of  those  advanced  (for  new  mills  in  old  works  smj^' 
new  works). 

He  thought  the  best  workmen  would  have  to  be  offered  from  $5  to  $'. 
per  day  to  have  any  inducement  to  leave  and  go  to  the  United  States 
He  makes  about  £2  10s.  per  week  as  shearer.  He  said  they  all  then  losi 
one  turn  (one  day)  per  week. 

Mr.  Price,  an  old  tin-Avorker  in  Swansea,  now  in  other  business,  hac 
invented  a  roll  for  reducing  the  weight  of  plates;  had  worked  at  CJata; 
sauQua,  Pa.,  as   an  iron- worker.     He  was  also  in  Kussia  teaching  Rus 
sian  workers  how  to  make  tin. 

He  taught  a  Eussian  boy  to  wash  tin  plates,  and  in  two  weeks  the  boj 
could  wash  20  boxes  of  the  standard  per  day.  (Standard  is  for  a  day'.' 
work  36  boxes,  112  plates  20  by  14  inches.) 

They  all  claim  that  washing  (brushing)  is  the  most  delicate  job,  yel 
it  is  to  do  this  that  now  they  have  machines,  and  they  all  admit  the 
machine  does  weU. 

(Brushing  is  removing  by  a  brush  all  irregularities,  specks,  and  thin' 
ning  the  tin.)  Some  machines  were  quietly  being  built  for  tin  works  Id' 
the  United  States.    The  workmen  oppose  them. 

He  claimed  that  the  rich  tin  from  Australia  really  took  less  tin  as  i1 
spread  thinner.  (Others  also  said  this.)  He  said  only  1  ton  of  Cornisli 
tin  to  20  tons  of  Australian  was  used.  He  also  thought  that  there  were 
plenty  of  tin- workers  in  America  to  run  the  mills ;  said  he  could  find 
300  of  them  in  Pennsylvania.  He  thought  there  would  be  no  trouble 
in  working  the  rich  tin  of  America. 

He  and  two  others  told  me  that  instead  of  the  bath  of  palm  oil  used 
just  before  dipping  in  the  tin,  that  now  many  had  been  using  a  flus 
(they  call  it)  called  by  the  workers  '^  chloride  of  zinc,"  instead  of  th€ 
pabn  oil,  but  they  know  it  causes  tlie  tin  to  rust.  (They  said,  '^  When  W€' 
hear  of  poisoned  meats,  fish,  etc.,  in  cans  in  the  United  States,  we  kno\v 
it  is  not  the  meat,  fish,  etc.,  but  the  chlorida  zinc  used  instead  of  the 
palm  oil  in  making  the  tin.") 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    207 

Possibly  now,  wlien  they  are  to  strain  every  nerve  to  compete  for  onr 

trade,  and  will  in  every- way  cheapen  the  manufactnre,  the  health  of 

our  people  may  be  looked  after  by  excluding  altogether  all  tin  made  of 

j  this  poisonous  stuff,  as  our  cattle  and  other  animals  have  been  excluded 

i  from  that  country. 

One  intelligent  worker  said  the  workmen  only  get  3s.  Qd.  out  of  13s. 

for  a  standard  box  of  tin.    The  rest  goes:  5s,  6d.  for  steel,  and  2s.  6d.  for 

tin,  3d.  for  x^alin  oil,  and  Is.  3d.  miscellaneous. 

j      One  large  works,  a  workman  told  me,  which  does  everything  relating 

!  to  making  steel,  employs  600  workmen,  is  full  of  continental  orders, 

works  right  on,  and  none  talk  of  stopi^ing  or  leaving. 

One  workman  told  me  the  machines  for  tinning  would  surely  be  used 
and  one  man  in  every  set  would  be  released,  and  this  one  released  man 
could  easily  be  induced  to  go  to  the  United  States. 

We  heard  that  Americans  had  been  there  to  hire  workmen  and  ap- 
l)lied  to  one  master,  who  refused  to  assist.   We  could  not  learn  any  names. 

Mr.  Edwards,  one  of  those  who  did  not  start  up  his  works  after  the 
month's  stoppage,  has  given  out  that  he  would  not  start  up  again  this 
year.  But  I  Avas  told  confidentially,  by  one  who  knew,  that  he  would 
start  up  in  six  weeks;  but  he  wanted  to  get  rid  of  some  of  his  men,  and 
as  the  union  had  rode  the  masters  twenty  years,  now  that  there  was  an 
opportunity  they,  the  masters,  would  ride  awhile.  They  admit  that  good 
tin  is  made  in  Kussia,  but  Mr.  Fox,  the  editor,  said  that  it  took  the 
mild  climate  of  Wales  to  make  tin  in ;  that  in  very  cold  days  there, 
even,  the  rolls  would  break  and  cause  much  damage;  but  I  suggested 
that  we  had  all  over  the  United  States  roller  mills  in  full  operation. 
The  above  claim  as  to  cold  weather  breakages  was  confirmed  by  others. 

My  own  conclusions  in  brief  are: 

First.  That  the  matter  of  commencing  as  boys  has  been  a  necessity 
of  very  large  families  to  have  the  boys  earning  something. 

Second.  That  in  the  natural  course  of  promotion  it  takes  about  five 
to  eight  years  to  get  the  man  ahead  out  of  the  way,  so  the  one  behind 
may  be  advanced. 

Third.  That  this  long  course  of  having  boys  go  in  and  do  light  work, 
and  the  length  of  time  it  takes  to  advance  one  in  the  natural  order  of 
things,  has  led  to  the  universal  belief  that  to  be  a  good  tin  workman 
one  nuist  commence  as  a  boy  and  work  up  through  all  grades.  That 
has  been  the  course  for  many  years.  They  think  it  must  continue. 
Doubtless  good  workmen  are  so  made. 

Fourth.  That  most  of  the  men  would  honestly  give  the  number  of 
years  given  above  as  necessary  for  making  a  skillfhl  workman  in  any 
department. 

Fiftli.  From  what  was  told  me  by  those  who  had  been  in  America,  I 
believe  that  heaters,  rollers,  shearers,  tinmen,  brushers,  and  assorters 
can  be  made  from  our  skilled  metal  workers  in  from  one  to  tAVO  years. 

Sixth.  I  believe  there  are  hundreds  of  old  tin-workers  now  in  the 
United  States  in  other  work. 

Seventh.  I  presume  these  are  somewhat  out  of  touch  with  those  who 
have  kept  right  on  in  Wales,  but  yet  I  found  tin-workers  who  had 
worked  fourteen  years  in  America,  who  had  returned  to  Wales  into  the 
tin  works. 

Eighth.  Doubtless  our  skilled  artisans  would  learn  quicker  to  have 
the  best  workmen  from  the  Avorks  in  Wales  fresh  as  teachers. 

Ninth.  Masters  will  do  everything  to  keej)  their  best  workmen,  and 
if  they  must,  then  x)art  with  the  poorest. 


208    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Tentli.  American  masters  must  be  cautious  in  selecting  their  men  toi* 
teach  others. 

Eleventh.  I  do  not  think  there  are  so  many  secret  processes  as  the^* 
would  try  to  convince  Americans.     ' 

Twelfth.  If  Americans  do  not  try  to  have  all  Welsh  workers  theyj 
will  i)robably  make  some  mistakes,  which  will  cause  them  to  iuvent^l 
new  processes  and  methods  to  overcome  obstacles,  which  will  in  the) 
end  make  them  independent  of  all  the  world  in  tin-plate  making.  j 

Thirteenth.  Every  obstacle  will  be  thrown  in  their  way  by  the  Welsh' 
masters  to  prevent  any  wholesale  emigration  of  tin-Avorkers  to  the- 
United  States. 

Fourteenth.  American  masters  must  be  shy  of  men  who  go  to  Amer 
ica  from  Wales.     The  masters  may  introduce  wooden  "horses  of  Tro; 
in  men  who  might  lead  the  masters  astray.     If  our  men  can  have  goi 
and  honest  teachers,  two  years  will  make  them  experts  in  the  most  i 
tricate  ijrocesses.     If  the  present  demoralization  continues  in  Wales,' 
thousands  of  Welsh  tin-workers  will  come  to  the  United  States  to  obtain 
emi)loyment. 

IRELAND.  * 

After  leaving  South  Wales  Commissioner  Powderly  and  myi 
crossed  over  to  Waterford,  in  south  Ireland,  \isiting  between  us, 
eluding  what  towns  we  had  prior  to  that  visited,  nearly  all  of  the  large 
towns  and  cities,  and  some  of  the  smaller  ones,  in  Ireland. 

On  this  trip  1  visited  Waterford,  Limerick,  Galway,  Mullingar,  Lon- 
donderry, Belfast,  and  Sligo.  In  several  different  towns  I  was  in-j 
formed  that  the  great  and  i)rincipal  stimulus  to  emigration  in  Irelandj 
was  the  constant  tlow  of  letters  and  money  coming  back  from  the  United 
States  to  the  relatives  and  friends  which  former  emigrants  had  left  in 
Ireland.  Nearly  all  agreed  that  the  great  mass  of  emigrants  from  Ire- 
land went  from  the  country  districts  and  villages,  and  that  usually  the- 
youngest  and  strongest  element  of  the  people  went. 

Mr.  J.  J.  Sullivan,  a  steamboat  agent  of  large  experience  in  Galway,; 
said  as  a  usual  thing  friends  in  America  send  over  for  friends  in  Ire-] 
land,  and  most  always  those  going  would  be  accompanied  by  one  or 
two  friends.  He  informed  me  that  for  many  years  he  had  sold  twenty 
tickets  to  coLintry  people  to  one  i)erson  from  the  city.  He  said,  as  a 
general  thing,  unmarried  people  go;  that  few  entire  families  went  fromj 
that  region  of  country. 

I  talked  with  many  country  people  in  Galway,  who  were  in  at  Satur 
day  market,  they  agreed  that  there  was  now  no  government  help  to  end 
grants  going  to  America.     In  several  different  ])arts  of  Ireland  I  wi 
informed  by  different  people  that  many  whom  the  Government  help 
were  not  paupers,  but  were  a  good  class  of  people  who  would  have  emi 
grated  anyway,  and  who  were  in  the  congested  districts;  and  as  it  was 
then  the  policy  of  the  Government  to  thin  out  by  emigration  the  con-; 
gested  districts,  these  people  were  assisted  to  go  to  Canada;  but  thatj 
the  Government  officers  found  that  they  usually  found  their  way  to  the^ 
United  States,  and  stopped  assisting  them.  I 

Mr.  Maloney,  a  steamboat  agent  at  Limerick,  of  about  forty  years'j 
standing,  told  me  that  nearly  50  jier  cent  of  the  tickets  of  the  Irish  peo-j 
pie  going  to  America  were  prepaid  by  American  friends.  The  fare  on 
good  steamboats  from  there  was  £4  25.,  and  that  mostly  young  people 
went.    He  knew  then  of  no  assisted  emigration,  and  that  nearly  all  ol 


; 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    209 

those  wlio  Trent  were  from  tlie  country.  He  told  me  tliat  he  formerly- 
sent  500  emigrants  per  week  by  sailing  vessels  to  Canada;  but  tie  said 
now  that  tliey  wonld  not  go  to  Canada,  and  if  they  did  they  only 
stopped  long  enough  to  earn  money  to  get  into  tlie  United  States. 

His  estimates  were  that  common  laborers  there  get  2s.  to  2s.  6d.  per 
day.  Xearly  all  classes  of  mechanics  about  os.  to  os.  (jcl.  per  day.  Farm 
laborers  1.9.  ChI.  to  2^.  House  girls  got  £7  to  £8  per  year  in  Lim- 
erick, and  about  £15  per  year  in  London.  A  contractor  told  me 
that  the  red  brick  he  used  for  the  front  of  houses  came  from  England 
and  Wales,  and  cost  £4  for  plain  and  £12  for  unfinished  brick.  He 
paid  his  best  masons  os.  Qcl.  per  day,  but  they  were  going  to  charge 
him  thereafter  5s.  i)d.  per  day.  Assistants  to  the  masons  received  2s, 
M.  per  day.  Stonecutters  5s.  6^7.  per  day.  One  of  the  laborers  on  the 
building  afterwards  gave  me  about  the  same  figures.  A  car-driver  in 
Limerick  told  me  that  a  great  many  common  laborers  went  over  to 
work  in  the  United  States  in  the  summer  and  returned  during  the 
winter. 

A  flour  and  meal  dealer  told  me  they  had  1,800  in  the  poorhouse, 
besides  several  hundred  who  were  helloed  outside.  He  informed  me 
also  that  the  National  party  as  a  party  would  not  consent  to  assist 
emigration,  but  individuals  would.  He  knew  of  none  being  sent  from 
the  poorhouse.  At  this  jdace  there  is  a  factory  employing  about  1,200 
women  to  make  army  clothes.  The  girls  make  about  9s.  per  week, 
sewing.  Men,  pressing,  get  from  £1  to  £1  5s.  There  is  a  general  com- 
plaint among  all  people  that  the  young  people  go  to  America. 

I  was  given  the  names  of  young  women  wlio  had  come  from  the  man- 
ufacturing districts  of  jSTew  England  to  Galway,  and  who  had  been  re- 
quested by  their  emi)loyers  in  the  factories  to  bring  over  with  them 
quietly  a  few  girls  to  work  in  the  fiictories.  Twice  while  I  was  in 
steamboat  offices,  once  at  Limerick  and  once  at  Galway,  girls  who 
were  working  in  the  factories  in  ^N'ew  England  came  into  the  office  to 
buy  tickets.  One  said  she  wished  three  tickets  for  young  ladies  who 
were  to  accompany  her  back,  and  the  other  bought  tickets  for  two 
others.  There  is  doubtless  a  constant  process  in  this  way  of  getting 
girls  for  factories  in  Xew  England  and  other  States,  by  girls  who  have 
already  Avorked  in  factories  and  have  returned  to  see  their  friends;  but 
I  could  not  learn  of  any  general  hiring  of  girls  and  men  to  go  to  the 
United  States  under  contract  to  labor. 

I  found  that  the  new  land  law  was  giving  pretty  general  satisfaction 
and  would  perhaps  in  the  end  considerably  decrease  the  emigration 
from  Ireland.  Throughout  the  greater  part  of  Ireland  there  seems  to 
be  no  development  of  new  industries  and  many  old  industries  have 
been  allowed  to  decay,  and  hence  for  all  the  younger  generation  there 
seems  to  be  little  for  them  to  do  except  to  emigrate  to  other  parts  of 
the  world,  and  the  United  States  of  course  gets  the  greater  share  of 
them.  I  could  not  learn  generally  in  Ireland  that  the  steamboat  com- 
panies were  making  extraordinary  eftbrts  to  get  passengers,  but  at 
Sligo  and  at  Belfast,  each,  a  man  informed  me  that  there  were  traveling 
steamboat  agents  in  Ireland  who  would  praise  up  the  United  States, 
saying  tlmt  all  Irishmen  who  went  there  did  well,  and  would  urge  the 
people  to  go  to  the  United  States. 

I  found  that  very  few,  except  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of  Ireland, 
go  to  tlie  United  States  for  a  season,  except  that  in  the  extreme  south 
of  Ireland  I  heard  of  laborers  going  over  to  the  United  States  in  the 
H.  Ex.  235 14 


210    ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


Spring  to  return  in  the  fall.  In  tlie  nortli  of  Ireland  I  was  informed  that 
mail}'  mechanics  go  the  United  States  in  the  spring  and  return  in  the 
fall,  as  is  the  case" from  Scotland.  And  I  learned  that  some,  not  a  great 
many,  went  from  southern  Ireland, to  the  United  States  to  work  as 
stokers  during  the  summer  to  return  in  the  fall.  These  are  generally- 
old  sailors. 

The  agent  of  the  Anclior  Line  at  Londonderry  informed  me  that  a 
few  years  ago,  when  the  Government  assisted  people  to  emigrate,  it  was 
not  from  the  poorhouses  but  from  the  congested  districts;  but  that 
the  help  was  arranged  through  the  union  (poor  house)  officers.  Hence 
a  wrong  impression  had  sprung  up  in  America  in  reference  to  this  kind 
of  lielj),  and  his  information  was  that  it  was  the  same  class  of  people 
from  the  congested  districts  who  otherwise  would  probably  have  beea 
assisted  by  their  friends  in  the  United  States. 

This  saine  agent  also  informed  me  that  he  had  sold  tickets  to  aboui 
40  liiien  shirt-makers  recently  to  go  to  the  United  States.    In  this  pari 
of  Ireland  mechanics  get  from  24.S-.  to  30s.  per  week;  common  laborers,  : 
8s.  to  14s.    On  farms,  laborers  get  Is.  6d.  per  day  and  house  free.    Young  . 
men  got  on  farms  from  £7  to  £8   each  half  year  and  found.     In  the  ' 
shirt  factories  in  Londonderry,  which  is  a  very  large  interest  there, 
girls  get  from  Ss.  to  12s.  per  week. 

The  agent  of  the  Cunard  Line  at  Belfast  informed  me  that  a  gTcat 
many  young  women  went  from  that  region  to  Lawrence,  Mass.,  and 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  as  spinnei's.    The  agent  of  the  Anchor  Line  and  America  : 
Line  at  I)elfast  informed  me  that  nearly  all  of  the  emigrants  from  tliat  . 
region  of  Ireland  were  young  people,  who  go  mostly  from  farms.     There 
Avas,  he  said,  a  large  number  of  mechanics  who  go  to  the  United  States  . 
ill  the  spring  and  return  in  the  fall.  ] 

Common  laborers  in  Belfast  receive  2s.  6r7.  per  day,  mechanics  from  i 
4s.  {)d.  to  OS.  ('»^7.  per  day,  and  spinning  girls  from  Ss.  to  9s.  per  week.  ^ 
IMen  employed  in  spinning  factories  get  from  £1  to  £3  per  week.  I 

I  was  asked  b\'  a  Government  official,  who  had  been  employed  by  the 
Government  in  various  enterprises  looking  to  the  betterment  of  the 
condition  of  the  people  in  Ireland,  and  who  was  the  Government  officer  t 
for  adjusting  land  rents,  whether  or  not  an  arrangement  could  be  made  i 
with  the  United  States  Government  to  receive  200,000  emigrants  from 
the  western  congested  districts  of  Ireland ;  the  congested  districts  being 
so  called  not  from  overpopulation  according  to  area  of  territory,  but 
from  a  population  greater  than  a  certain  ratio  to  the  rate  of  income  of 
the  district.  He  explained  to  me  that  the  policy  of  the  Government  > 
was  to  consolidate  the  farms  in  the  congested  districts  of  the  north- 
western portion  of  Ireland,  and  in  order  to  do  this  it  would  be  neces- 
sary to  emigrate  about  200,000  people.  He  also  informed  me  that  the 
Government  had  about  £47,000  a  year  to  assist  emigration  from  west 
Ireland,  and  that  they  would  like'  to  send  about  100,000  to  Canada. 
He  said  they  could  with  this  fund  send  them  to  the  United  States, 
but  tliey  much  preferred  to  send  them  to  Canada,  but  that  they  could 
not  get  the  people  to  go  to  Canada. 

I  could  not  learn  from  others  that  the  Government  was  now  actively  ! 
engaged  in  assisting  emigration,  nor  that  there  seemed  to  be  any  in- 
tended policy  of  the  same,  so  far  as  could  be  learned  by  inquiry  among 
the  people  everywhere.  Keither  could  I  learn  the  same  from  the  United  : 
States  consuls  whom  I  visited.  Certainly  the  claim  that  usually  the 
younger  people  go  to  the  United  States  is  proven  by  the  appearance 
of  the  people  themselves  who  are  left,  as  so  large  a  proportion  in  all  the 
towns  are  very  old  people. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    211 

To  my  mind  Ireland  did  not  seem  at  all  to  be  overpopiilated,  for  riding 
through  the  country  from  south  to  north  on  zigzag  lines  and  from  east 
to  west,  Ireland  to  me  has  the  appearance  of  being  sparsely  populated, 
for  one  sees  such  large  tracts  of  land  everywhere  with  so  few  houses. 
Yet  it  may  be  that  the  agricultural  laborers,  instead  of  li\4ng  in  cot- 
tages, live  thickly  together  in  crowded  farm  villages.  But  except  in 
the  north  of  Ireland  and  in  Dublin  and  a  few  other  places  there  seems 
,  to  be  no  development  of  the  various  industries  of  manufacturing,  such 
as  is  seen  in  many  other  countries  j  and  for  this  reason  the  IJnited 
States  may  expect  a  large  inflow  of  emigrants  every  year  from  Ireland 
as  well  as  from  any  other  country  which  provides  only  agricultural  labor 
for  its  people. 

SCOTLAND. 

From  Belfast  I  crossed  over  to  Glasgow.  At  Glasgow,  as  had  been 
arranged  at  Liverpool  with  the  other  members  of  the  Board,  I  called 
on  Messrs.  Henderson  Brothers,  owners  of  the  Anchor  Line.  They 
liave  a  line  from  Xaples  and  Palermo  to  the  United  States.  They  in- 
formed me  that  they  were  much  jileased  that  the  United  States  Gov- 
erument  had  taken  so  much  interest  in  the  very  difficult  subject,  for 
'  them,  as  to  send  representatives  to  Europe  to  observe  for  themselves 
the  causes  of  emigration  movements.  They  said  it  showed  that  the 
administration  is  treating  a  question  of  very  wide  scope  in  a  manner 
best  to  x)reserve  the  good  feeling  between  the  two  countries  in  carrying 
out  the  laws  of  the  United  States.  They  seemed  very  anxious  to  assist 
■  the  honorable  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  in  his  investigations  for  the 
purpose  of  adopting  rules  which  will  save  themselves  much  trouble 
and  exi)ense  and  the  poor  emigrant  much  hardship.  They  read  me  a 
letter  which  the  steamboat-owners  at  Liverpool,  at  the  request  of  our 
Board,  sent  to  our  chairman  at  Bremen,  which  Henderson  Brothers 
had  indorsed. 

Messrs.  Henderson  Brothers  informed  me  that  they  were  doing  all 
in  their  power  to  carry  out  the  laws  of  the  United  States;  and  they 
heartily  indorsed  the  jjlan  proposed  by  you  in  your  letter  of  instruc- 
tions to  us  and  indorsed  by  the  Liverpool  steamboat-owners,  especially 
for  Great  Britain,  but  preferred  that  we  should  examine  for  ourselves 
and  recommend  our  own  plan  for  Italy.  They  said  their  agents  every- 
where in  Great  Britain  and  Italy  had  the  strictest  instructions  to  sift 
all  applications  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  United  States;  but 
they  were  strongly  in  hopes  that  the  United  States  Government 
would  allow  the  steamboat  companies  to  try  one  of  the  plans  proposed 
by  the  honorable  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  that  of  requiring  the 
steamboat  companies  themselves  to  do  the  sifting  at  the  homes  of  the 
'■  people,  as  they  thought  that  consular  inspection  would  be  of  great 
'  detriment  to  the  carrying  trade.  They  think  that  the  subagents  in 
the  districts  where  reside  the  intending  emigrants  can  best  lind  out 
about  them,  and  that  the  twelve  months'  suspension  from  business  in 
,    case  an  agent  disobeys  their  rules,  which  rules  will  be  in  harmony 

■  with  the  laws  of  the   United  States,  will  be  sufficient  bond  to  keep 

■  them  well  disciplined.     This  company,  in  addition  to  taking  passen- 
'    gers  from  Naples  and  Palermo,  also  take  some  from  Trieste  and  now 

and  then  send  a  boat  directly  to  New  Orleans. 

I  also  called  on  Nathaniel  Donlop,  esq.,  one  of  the  owners  of  the 
Alle;3  lin(^of  steamers.    Mr.  Donlop  is  a  man  of  great  ability  and  expe- 


212    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


1 

th(      1 


rience  in  steamboat  matters.  He  said  to  me  tliat  it  afforded  him 
greatest  pleasure  and  satisfaction  to  see  a  representative  of  the  honor 
able  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury  there  on  the  subject.  H( 
had  not  seen  the  Liveri30ol  letter,  but  said  that  he  would  send  for  g 
copy,  and  would  give  his  views  on  tlie  subject.  But  he  asked:  ^^If  we 
do  that,  will  those  few  who  slip  through  our  fingers  be  allowed  tc 
land  ?"  My  answer  was,  "  The  honorable  Secretary  of  the  United  States 
Treasury  will  not,  of  course,  agree  to  let  any  prohibited  person  go 
ashore." 

Mr.  Donlop  also  expressed  himself  strongly  that  a  consular  inspection , 
would  be  cumbersome  and  would  very  much  hinder  the  movements  ol ! 
emigration.  He  said  that  he  hoped  some  arrangement  might  be  made, 
between  the  steamboat  companies  and  the  Government  of  the  United, 
States,  so  that  the  laws  of  the  United  States  should  be  carefully  re- 
spected and  carried  out  near  the  homes  of  the  people,  to  avoid  expense 
and  trouble  to  the  intending  emigrant,  as  well  as  to  the  steamboat 
lines.  He  said  that  his  line  did  a  very  large  business  with  the  United 
States,  and  he  hoped  for  the  greatest  amity  between  the  represent- 
atives of  the  United  States  Government  having  charge  of  emigration 
matters  and  his  company,  in  the  settlement  of  rules  which  shall  har- 
monize existing  difficulties  in  the  way  of  knowing  just  what  to  do  and 
how  to  do  in  regard  to  determining  to  whom  tickets  for  the  United 
States  should  be  sold. 

He  gave  me  a  circular  containing  the  United  States  law  on  the  sub- , 
ject  of  immigration,  issued  by  Allen  Bros.,  of  Glasgow.  i 

I  quote  from  a  letter  received  from  Mr.  Donlop  after  he  had  read  the , 
views  of  the  steamboat  owners  of  Liverpool,  sent  to  me,  which  is  dated 
August  27,  1891: 

As  we  explained  to  yon  there  wore  very  stron^j  reasons  against  the  proposition 
that  an  inspection  and  certification  by  consuhir  otticers  of  tliis  port  shonhl  be  under- 
taken, the  right  place  to  exercise  control  being  at  the  place  and  the  time  when  the 
emigrant   applies  for  passage.     Our  snbagents  throughout  the  country  are  under 
strict  control  in  an  organization  common  to  all  the  lines,  and  Ave  have  an  opportunity  ' 
of  visiting  such  agents  with  disciplinary  treatment  if  they  fail  to  observe  our  in-  f 
junction,  or  connive  at  their  disregard.     We  agree,  therefore,  with  the  Liverpool 
lines  which  have  been  in  communication  with  Col.  Weber,  that  the  matter  of  con- 
trolling the  choice  of  emigrants  should  rest  with  such  agents,  under  the  direction  pf 
the  company,  and  we  hope  that  it  may  be  permitted  to  rest  with  us;  and  we  will  be,, 
well  pleased  if  trial  could  be  made  of  this  method.     And  in  the  event  of  the  United  | 
States  Government  discovering  any  failure  on  the  part  of  agents  to  rightly  dis- 1 
charge  their  duty,  reporting  it  to  the  headquarters  of  the  line  in  default,  that  the"^ 
matter  may  be  investigated  and  dealt  with,  and  pending  such   investigation  we  l 
woiild  be  glad  that  penal  action  against  the  lines  who  may  have,  notwithstanding  j 
their  precaution,  failed  to  exclude  all  undesirable  emigrants,  may  not  be  taken. 

I  also  called  upon  Mr.  Moses  Buchanan,  one  of  the  best  informed ' 
general  agents  in  the  business  in  Great  Britain.     He  thought  that  he 
had  nearly  settled  Kansas  with  his  emigrants.     He  is  largely  inter- ; 
ested  in  emigration  to  South  America  from  both  Italy  and  the  Basque  , 
Provinces  in  Spain.     He  claimed  that  the  large  Italian  emigration  is  ' 
due  to  increased  education,  born  of  the  Garibaldi  revolutions,  just  now 
bearing  fruit.     As  the  people  now  read  for  themselves  and  learn  about , 
other  countries,  he  claims  that  the  emigrants  will  grow  better  and  bet- 
ter froni  Italy.     His  idea  of  inspection  is  one  similar  to  the  Queensland 
inspection,  where  all  emigrants  who  are  assisted  by  the  government  . 
must  be  nominated  by  friends  in  Queensland,  approved  by  the  Queens- 
land government,  and  then  certified  to  as  to  character,  fitness,  etc.,  by  , 
magistrates  and  other  persons  in  the  vicinity  of  where  they  live  in 
Great  Britain. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    213 

Mr.  Buclianan  thinks  that  every  emigrant  going  to  any  new  country 
slioulcl  have  the  certificate  of  a  magistrate  regarding  his  civil  charac- 
ter,  of  a  physician  as  to  his  health,  and  of  a  minister  as  to  his  morals. 
He  thought  all  this  should  be  reviewed  by  United  States  consuls  and 
•  by  them  confirmed,  but  in  an  easy  and  cheap  way  for  the  intending 
emigrant.  He  claimed  that  in  selling  tickets  he  was  very  particular  to 
keep  within  the  laws  of  the  United  States.  I  have  no  doubt  Mr.  Buch- 
!  anan  is  a  very  high-minded,  honorable  man,  and  desires  honestly  to 
carry  out  the  laws  of  the  United  States  on  this  subject. 

The  blanks  for  a  Queensland  application  may  be  found  in  vol.  ii.  I 
may  add  that  Mr.  Buchanan  said  that  his  experience  would  lead  him 
to  believe  that  a  combined  United  States  consular  and  European  steam- 
boat owners'  inspection  would  bring  the  best  results. 

Mr.  Buchanan  also  gave  me  some  railroad  circulars,  u^ion  which 
is  printed   as  follows:  ''The  Burlington  Eoute,"  "Free  Government 
Lands  in  Nebraska  and  Colorado,"  "Tbe  Florida  Railway  and  Navi- 
I  gation  Company,"  "The  Western  Trail,"  "Texas,"  "The  Chicago,  Mil- 
'  waukee  and  St.  Paul  Railway,"  "Texas;  its  Climate,  Agriculture,  and 
Products,"  and  "Something  about  Kansas;"  each  of  which  go  to  show 
I  that  in  some  quarters  of  Europe,  at  least,  the  flaming  literature  of  rail- 
way companies  and  of  local  or  State  officials  can  still  be  furnished  to 
intending  passengers. 

Also,  "The  Pacific  Coast  and  Steamship  Company,"  "The  Houston 
and  Texas  Central  Railway,"  "The  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad, 
European  edition,"  and  "The  Southern  Pacific  Coast  Division,"  which 
were  all  obtained  by  me  at  steamship  offices  in  London;  part  at  the 
White  Star  line  office  and  part  at  the  Cunard  line  office.  I  might  here 
also  say  that  at  Limerick,  Ireland,  I  obtained  from  a  steamsliip  agent 
the  circular  marked  "Burlington  Route."  Also  in  Londonderry  the 
'  folders  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio,  European  edition,  and  Southern 
Pacific  Company,  "  California  and  Texas." 

In  all  of  these  steamboat  offices  I  obtained  many  Atlantic  steamboat 
circulars,  but  in  none  of  them,  with  perhaps  a  single  exception  referred 
to  above,  could  I  find  that  tliey  were  in  their  o\vn  circulars,  aside  from 
railway  circulars,  unduly  advertising  the  advantages  of  any  localities 
in  the  United  States. 

In  the  Waterford  Chronicle  and  South  of  Ireland  Advertiser,  pub- 
lished at  Waterford,  Ireland,  Saturday,  August  15,  1891,  there  is  a 
broad  advertisement  of  an  emigration  office  where,  they  advertise,  as- 
sisted passages  to  Australia  and  America  are  granted  to  the  working 
classes.    Of  course  this  might  be  to  Canada  and  not  to  the  United  States. 
;  I  think  Commissioner  Powderly  tried  to  obtain  information  in  regard 
I  to  this  advertisement  whether  or  not  passengers  were  assisted  to  the 
\  United  States,  but  failed  to  elicit  any  information. 
I     There  are  posters  issued  by  the  Government  of  Great  Britain  and 
j  under  the  direction  of  the  Colonial  Office  and  put  up  by  direction  of 
;  the  Government  from  time  to  time  as  information  is  desired  to  be  given 
in  reference  to  free  passage  to  the  various  colonies  of  Great  Britain. 
They  contain  very  much  information  concerning  free  passages  and  as- 
sisted passages  to  Queensland,  West  Australia,  Natal,  Cape  Colony, 
witli  very  cheap  passages  to  Canada,  New  South  Wales,  Victoria, 
South  Australia,  Tasmania,  or  New  Zealand,  with  a  bonus  to  the  head 
,  of  a  family  going  to  Canada.     It  fairly  illustrates  the  competition 
i  there  is  in  Europe,  and  especially  Great  Britain,  for  emigrants  to  the 
British  colonies. 


214    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


THE   CONTINENT. 


On  tlie  29tli  of  August  I  left  Great  Britain  for  France,  where  at  Pj 
a  meeting  had  been  arranged  for  by  Commissioner  Schulties,  who 
been  making  investigations  in  Belgium  and  Germany,  and  Commissioi 
Powderly  and  myself.     I  made  diligent  inquiry  while  in  Paris  to 
cover  whether  or  not  there  were  any  convicts  or  ex-convicts  being  se 
out  of  France  to  the  United  States,,  either  by  the  Government,  mui 
ipn\,  or  society  officers;  and  I  could  not  learn  of  any  convicts  or 
convicts  being  assisted,  sent,  or  encouraged  to  go  from  France  to 
United  States. 

I  especially  made  investigations  and  inquiries  in  reference  to  pi 
oners'  aid  societies,  as  I  had  learned  that  the  machinery  of  sending  thj 
out  of  Great  Britain  to  the  United  States  was  through  the  Dischar^ 
Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  but  I  was  unable  to  learn  that  there  were 
societies  of  this  nature  in  France.    There  probably  are  many  bene^ 
lent  persons  in  France  who  in  a  general  way  belong  to  national 
international  societies  for  investigating  into  the  condition,  and  bett 
ing  the  condition  of  convicts  and  ex-convicts,  as  I  learned  from  a 
tinguished  authority  in  Berne,  Switzerland,  afterwards. 

After  the  retiu-n  of  Hon.  Whitelaw  Keid,  United  States  minisf 
to  France,  I  learned  from  him  that  he  had  not  long  before  made 
investigation  on  the  same  subject;  and  he  had  come  to  the  same  con^ 
elusion;  that  from  France  there  were  no  convicts  or  ex-convicts  sento; 
assisted  to  go  to  the  United  States.  Commissioners  Powderly  anc 
Schulties  were  with  me  at  the  time  of  my  interview  with  Ministe: 
Eeid. 

We  also  called  upon  the  vice-consul-general  of  the  United  States 
who  informed  us  that  he  had  recently  more  than  ever  before  notice( 
large  parties  of  verypoorltalianemigrantsbeiiigtaken  through  Paris  oi 
their  way  to  Boulogne,  France,  going  to  the  United  States.  He  though ' 
that  we  would  get  little  information  from  the  steamboat  companies,  am 
thought  we  would  have  to  get  our  information  by  picking  it  up  our^ 
selves  in  reference  to  this  movement  of  Italians  through  France  to 
northern  ports  on  their  way  to  the  United  States. 

At  Paris  it  was  decided  by  the  three  commissioners  then  there  tha' 
Commissioner  Powderly  should  go  to  Bordeaux,  Marseilles,  and  Genoa 
Commissioner  Schulties  to  Havre,  Boulogne,  and  Antwerp,  and  to  soin< 
of  the  Holland  and.German  ports,  which  he  wished  to  revisit,  and  certaii 
other  places  in  Germany;  and  that  I  should  visit  Belgium  and  Hollanc 
for  the  purpose  principally  of  ascertaining  whether  or  not  there  wen 
any  convict  prisoners  or  paupers  being  sent  out  of  Belgium  or  Hollam, 
to  the  United  States;  and  that  I  should  go  to  Switzerland  and  do  al 
the  work  of  the  commission  in  that  country;  and  that  we  should  mee 
at  Milan  and  make  the  investigations  in  Italy  together.  This  plan  wai 
carried  out,  as  the  chairman  of  the  commission  was  in  Russia. 

I  proceeded  to  Belgium.  At  Brussels  the  United  States  ministe. 
was  absent,  but  I  called  on  Hon.  George  W.  Roosevelt,  United  States 
consul,  and  formerly  United  States  consul  at  Bordeaux,  France.  H< 
informed  me  that  while  at  Bordeaux  he  often  saw  many  persons  camp* 
ing  outside  of  the  town,  who  had  come  through  from  Italy,  Greece,  am, 
even  Turkey,  overland,  to  take  steamer  at  Bordeaux  to  the  Unitec 
States.  On  their  way  they  usually  ]ncked  up  horses,  wagons,  an( 
many  other  things,  either  by  stealing  them  or  getting  hold  of  them  ii 


i 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    215 

ther  ways.  He  informed  me  that  tliese  parties  were  generally  a  motley 
»t,  and  that  tliey  would,  wlieii  tliey  had  arrived  there,  sell  their  horses, 
ears,  and  other  property  which  they  had  brought  along  with  them, 
,1  order  to  get  the  necessary  funds,  120  francs,to  go  to  the  United 
tates. 

Mr.  Eoosevelt  informed  me  that  in  Belgium  the  Government  em- 
loys  criminals  on  Government  work  and  makes  money  out  of  them, 
lid  that  there  is  no  object  in  sending  any  of  them  out  of  the  country  j 
Qd  he  had  never  known  of  any  convicts  or  ex-convicts  being  as- 
,sted  to  emigrate  to  any  place.  He  was  quite  sure  that  in  Belgium, 
it  least,  no  prisoners'  aid  societies  were  assisting  emigrants  to  leave 
le  country. 

Mr.  Eoosevelt  further  informed  me  that  in  talking  witli  tbe  Italians, 
ho  formerly  went  across  from  Italy  overland  to  Bordeaux  to  go  to  the 
^nited  States,  that  the  steamboat  agents  had  told  them  that  they  could 
et$1.50  per  day  working  on  railroads,  streets,  shipyards  and  farms 
1  the  United  States,  and  get  board  for  half  a  franc  per  day,  and  on 
^rms  found  freej  after  they  had  stayed  a  year  or  two  they  could  get 
oO  acres  of  land  free  by  squatting  there;  and  that  then  they  could  re- 
irn  to  Italy  with  a  good  deal  of  money.  While  lie  was  in  Bordeaux 
e  told  me  that  a  great  many  returned  every  fall.  He  said  that  a  great 
i^any  in  going  to  the  United  States  told  him  that  tliey  had  been 
)ld  by  the  railroad  agents  that  grapes  grew  wild  in  Texas  along  the 
lilroad  lines. 

There  is  comparatively  little  emigration  at  all  from  Belgium,  as  little 
cm  Belgium  as  there  is  from  France,  as  both  countries  are  full  of  in- 
AStrial  plants  encouraged  by  capitalists  and  the  Government;  and 
16  people  are  so  well  provided  with  emi^loyment  by  these  great  manu- 
^cturiug  interests  that  from  neither  France  nor  Belgium  is  there  any 
nigration  to  the  United  States  to  speak  of;  not  to  exceed  5,000  or 

000  per  year  on  an  average  from  France,  and  not  to  exceed  2,000 
cm  Belgium. 

1  could  not  learn  from  Consul  Roosevelt,  or  from  other  sources,  that 
,iy  paupers  were  sent  from  Belgium  to  the  United  States.  The  price 
j.' labor  in  Belgium  is  about  the  same  as  in  France;  which  is,  common 
borers,  3  francs;  mechanics,  3 J  to  4  francs;  masons,  4J  francs;  arti- 
ms,  2J  francs;  women,  IJ  francs;  boys,  1.7  francs;  girls,  1.1  francs; 
p  day.  The  manufacturing  cities  of  Belgium  are  crowded  with 
killed  laborers,  and  as  compared  with  the  United  States,  persons,  as 
30ve  shown,  are  poorly  i)aid.  It  is  quite  likely  that  many  xieoi)le  from 
elgium  do  find  their  way  to  the  United  States,  but  i^erhaps  not  so 
,any  as  from  other  countries.  The  agricultural  class  furnishes  the 
:rgest  number  of  emigrants  to  the  United  States.  The  farm  laborers 
3t  there  only  about  1.6  francs  per  day  with  board,  and  2.G  francs 
jithout  board.  Very  many  of  the  laboring  class  in  Belgium  own  their 
*vn  gardens  and  houses,  and  hence  are  held  to  their  own  country, 
lie  manufacturing  centers  in  Belgium  furnish  few  emigrants. 

,  Afterwards,  in  Italy  I  found  that  in  all  probability  the  fares  from 
kalian  ports,  and  from  the  northern  iiorts,  reached  by  means  of  rail- 
)ads,  had  been  made  so  cheap  that  there  was  no  necessity  for  Italians 
nger  to  go  overland  across  France  to  Bordeaux  to  get  a  cheap  passage 
•  the  United  States;  and  in  all  probability  this  custom  is  not  now  so 
uch  in  vogue  as  when  Mr.  Eoosevelt  was  in  Bordeaux.  I  ascertained  in 
,russels,  also,  the  total  emigration  from  Brussels  for  the  years  1871  to 
>79,  botii  inclusive,  six  years,  and  the  average  was  only  about  1,400 
if  year;  but  in  all  probability  this  does  not  give  the  correct  number 


216    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

of  emigrants  to  all  countries  jQ?om  Belgium,  because  I  learned  in  Be!: 
gium  that  many  people  in  Belgium  went  first  to  France  or  England  t} 
work  temi^orarily,  and  from  these  countries  probably  many  went  to  thii 
United  States.  '  ji 

At  Antwerp,  on  the  arrival  of  tlie  JSTordlcmd,  September  14,  of  thj] 
Red  Star  Steamer  Line,  from  New  York,  seeing  many  Italians  aboartjl 
as  slie  landed,  I  sent  my  interpreter  on  board  to  learn  liow  many  ItaJ: 
ians  there  were;  and  he  learned  that  there  were  135  Italians  out  of  18' I 
steerage  passengers.     When  they  came  out  I  sent  my  interpreter  amon, 
them  to  talk  with  them.    I  also  talked  with  several  who  could  speaJ 
English.    Those  we  talked  with  had  been  in  the  United  States  froi 
eleven  days  to  eleven  years.    One  fine-looking  fellow  said  he  could  fiiii 
nothing  to  do  in  New  York,  so  he  was  on  his  way  back  to  Italy 
remaining  in  New  York  only  eleven  days.    One  man,  who  had  beeB[; 
glass-worker  at  Pittsburg  at  $10  to  $12  per  week,  said  he  had  ""^ 
13lenty  to  spend  for  wine  and  cigars  Saturday  night,  had  boarded 
self,  and  had  saved  about  $2,000.    Another,  who  had  been  in  the  Unite 
States  six  years,  told  me  he  had  saved  $700.    Many  had  only  beenj 
the  United  States  a  year,  some  of  them  two  or  three  years. 

Most  of  those  whom  we  talked  with  we  found  were  only  going  b 
to  Italy  on  a  visit  to  their  families,  or  to  bring  out  friends.  Mos 
them  were  plainly  dressed ;  and  I  noticed  quite  a  number  who 
shovels,  and  three  or  four  of  them  had  two  shovels  apiece.  AU 
that  they  had  been  very  nicely  treated  by  the  Americans;  that  t: 
had  received  in  the  United  States  three  or  four  times  as  much  pay 
their  labor  as  they  could  get  in  Itnly.  They  also  said  that  Americ 
was  a  splendid  country  for  Italians.  They  paid  for  their  passag 
from  New  York  via  Antwerp  and  by  rail  across  Belgium,  German; 
Switzerland,  and  the  whole  length  of  Italy  to  Naples,  $30.  The 
saved  a  good  deal  of  time  on  their  passage,  although  the  fare  wa 
more  this  way  than  by  boat  from  New  York  direct  to  Naples,  whic' 
only  $27.  A  good  many  of  them  told  my  interpreter  that  they  w 
coming  back  to  ^asit  their  relatives  and  expected  to  bring  out  from  t 
to  six  men  each  to  the  United  States.  Some  of  them  said  that  the: 
friends  were  not  able  to  go;  that  they  should  pay  their  i^assage,  an 
that  their  friends  would  return  them  the  money  as  soon  as  they  coul 
earn  it  in  the  United  States.  Some  of  these  Italians  had  already  take 
their  families  to  the  United  States,  and  others  said  they  should  tat 
their  families  back  with  them. 

HOLLAND. 

At  the  Hague,  in  Holland,  I  visited  Hon.  Samuel  E.  Thayer,  tl 
United  States  minister  there,  and  he  informed  me  that  he  knew  of  i' 
discharged  prisoners'  aid  societies  in  Holland;  that  he  had  nevt 
learned  of  any  discharged  prisoners  or  any  ex-convicts  or  convicts  h 
ing  encouraged  to  leave  the  country  to  go  to  the  United  States  or  to  an 
other  place.  And  neither  had  he  learned  of  any  paupers  being  sent  (j 
assisted  to  go.  My  interpreter  at  the  Hague  told  me  that  in  1890  I 
had  procured  20  brick  masons  and  stonecutters  in  Eotterdam  to  go  f 
New  York  for  a  contractor,  who  paid  him  5  guilders  for  each  one  oV^ 
tained.  He  said  that  they  had  written  back  that  they  were  well  co]' 
tented  and  were  doing  well.  He  also  said  that  he  got  5  per  cent  cor' 
mission  on  the  passage  money  from  the  steamboat  companies  at  Bo 
terdam. 

This  man  also  told  me  that  the  steamboat  companies,  or  gener' 


i, 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    217 

agents  of  tlie  steamboat  companies  had  runners  out  tlirough  the  agri- 
cultural districts  to  drum  up  passengers.  He  said  that  these  runners 
praised  uj)  the  United  States  very  liighly,  and  told  of  the  good  oppor- 
itunities  there  were  for  getting  employment  and  generally  for  making 
money.  This  man  also  informed  me  that  not  many  months  before,  a 
person  fiom  New  York,  whose  name  he  did  not  get,  came  to  him  and 
iw^ished  him  to  employ  40  carpenters  and  masons,  or  as  he  put  it, 
f' house  mechanics,"  to  go  to  ]S'ew  York.  He  wished  him  to  get  them 
within  twT)  days,  and  he  told  him  that  he  could  not  get  them  under  two 
i«^eeks,  whereupon  the  man  said  he  would  go  to  Amsterdam  and  get 
fhem  there. 

?  I  did  not  learn  at  the  Hague  of  any  general  movement  in  Holland  of 
people  going  in  the  sirring  to  the  United  States  to  work  through  the 
^ummer  and  retnrn  in  the  fall ;  but  at  both  Antwerp  and  Amsterdam  I 
jearned  of  some  who  w^ent.  In  Amsterdam  a  business  man  told  me 
phat  he  knew  of  200  Kussian  Jews  who  were  in  boarding  houses  wait- 
ng  to  go  to  the  United  States  via  boat  from  Amsterdam.  I  sent  an 
nterpreter  to  talk  with  them,  and  he  reported  that  he  had  talked  with 
a  great  many,  and  that  they  said  they  were  driven  out  of  Russia,  many 
to  hastily  that  they  lost  all  they  had,  and  that  there  were  many  dis- 
tressing cases  among  them.  He  saw  Mr.  Dents,  who  was  a  member  of 
bhe  local  Amsterdam  committee  of  Jews  (tliere  are  about  50,000  Jews 
[n  Amsterdam),  which  committee  was  assisting  these  Jews  to  go  to  the 
iJnited  States.  The  chairman  of  this  committee  was  Mr.  Wertheim, 
j)f  Wertheim  &  Gomperts,  a  business  firm  of  Amsterdam. 

Mr.  Deuts  infoiined  my  interpreter  that  there  were  350  Jews  then  in 
jimsterdam  waiting  to  go  to  the  United  States  by  the  first  boat.  He 
|dso  informed  the  interpreter  that  the  committee  paid  one  guilder, 
iibout  40  cents,  for  lodging  and  breakfast  and  one-half  guilder  for  sup- 
per for  them.  He  said  that  they  paid  £3  lOs.  passage  money  for  the 
klults  from  Amsterdam  to  ISTew  York  or  Philadelphia,  and  that  the 
jBarou  Hirsh  fund  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  matter  j  that  the  money 
•vas  all  provided  by  the  local  committee. 

SWITZERLAND. 


^  From  Amsterdam  I  proceeded  to  Switzerland.  Although  I  was  in 
several  places  in  Switzerland,  I  could  nowhere  learn  that  there  was  any 
)resent  Government,  municipal,  or  society  aid  given  to  either  criminals 
)r  paupers  to  aid  them  in  going  to  the  United  States.  At  Berne  I  had 
several  interviews  Avith  the  learned  and  jDhilanthropic  Dr.  Guillaume, 
fhe  director  of  the  bureau  of  federal  statistics  of  Switzerland.  He 
fvas  very  courteous  and  gave  me  much  information.  Dr.  Guillaume  was 
formerly  director  of  the  prison  of  IiTeuchatel,  where  Mr.  Wines,  of 
Bpringfield,  111.,  spent  a  month  several  years  ago  studying  Dr.  Guil- 
♦aumc's  system  of  prison  discipline. 

J  Dr.  Guillaume  was  one  of  tiie  first,  if  not  the  first,  to  put  into  practi- 
pal  operation  the  prison  reforms  in  vogue  all  over  the  world  at  the 
present  time ;  and  he  has  been  one  of  the  leaders  inaugurating  the  new 
system  of  reporting  to  officers  by  ticket-of-leave,  and  keeps  himself  in 
lirect  touch  with  all  prison  reform  men  in  Europe  and  the  United 
States. 

Dr.  Guillaume  believes  that  criminals  can  be  reformed  thoroughly 
1  which  is  a  directly  opposite  theory  to  the  one  held  by  Chief  Inspector 
!^eame,  of  London,  who  is  at  the  head  of  the  British  system  of  surveil- 
auce  for  convicts  after  leaving  prison,  and  whom  I  talked  with  in  Lon- 


f 


218    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


don).  But  Dr.  Guillaume  thought  that  a  person  who  has  once  been 
convict  should  for  the  rest  of  his  life,  in  a  measure,  be  watched;  th 
is,  he  should  be  required  to  report  to  some  person  who  is  a  member  of 
society  for  assisting  ex-convicts,  and  to  report  to  him  for  the  purpo 
of  getting  advice.  That  is,  some  member  of  a  society  should  be  tl 
adviser  during  the  rest  of  his  life  to  an  ex-convict. 

Dr.  Guillaume  informed  me  that  there  was  an  international  socie 
in  Europe,  with  members  in  nearly  every  country,  and  so  arranged  th 
an  ex-convict  desiring  to  leave  one  country  and  go  to  another  could  1 
accredited  to  some  member  of  a  society  in  the  country  to  which  the  e 
convict  was  going,  and  to  whom  the  convict  would  report  as  to  an  a 
visor.    In  this  way  the  ex-convict  constantly  has  a  person  to  whom  ] 
can  go  for  friendly  advice.    At  the  same  time  the  person  is  semiol     i 
cially  a  government  officer  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  watch  upon  tl.    | 
movements  of  the  ex-convict.    And  the  society  in  its  difterent  brancht    : 
or  perhaps  I  should  say  membership,  in  the  various  countries  in  Europj 
is  under  Government  patronage  to  a  certain  extent. 

Dr.  Guillaume  informed  me  that  in  Switzerland  no  ticket-of-lea\^  I 
man  who  is  still  under  the  surveillance  of  the  member  of  the  socie!  r 
or  of  an  officer  would  be  allowed  to  leave  Switzerland ;  and  if  he  shou  ? 
leave  a  requisition  would  be  sent  for  him.    He  said  to  me : 

They  report  in  the  United  States  that  we  send  our  criminals  and  paupers  to  yc 
country,  but  this  not  a  fact.     Switzerland  is  the  friend  of  the  United  States.    Th(, 
may  be  some  who  go,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  years  ago  some  of  the  cantons  of  Switz 
land  may  have  helped  them  to  go  to  the  United  States,  but  only  a  few,  and  they 
not  do  it  now. 


4i 


Dr.  Guillaume  also  informed  me  that  all  the  members  of  their  in 
national  society  and  all  prison  philanthropists  throughout  Europe,  wi 
whom  he  is  in  constant  correspondence,  believe  that  their  system  oug 
to  be  extended  over  the  United  States;  so  that  if  an  ex-convict  leav 
Europe  from  any  country  the  members  of  the  international  society  \ 
the  United  States  could  be  apprised  of  his  presence,  and  in  the  Unit 
States  be  required  to  report  to  and  receive  advice  from  some  memt 
of  this  world's  i)hilanthropic  prisoners'  aid  society.  He  thinks  tla^^ 
such  an  arrangement  should  be  under  the  patronage  of  the  Govei, 
ment  of  the  United  States  or  of  the  States,  and  arranged  by  treaties. 

Dr.  Guillaume  emphasized  the  fact  that  convicts  were  strictly  h(  ^ 
in  Switzerland  until  the  full  term  of  the  sentence  and  of  their  term :' 
surveillance  had  expu^ed.  He  expressed  to  me  the  very  strong  ho; 
that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  States  woi  - 
give  such  encouragement  to  such  societies  that  all  its  convicts  l 
Christian  countries  would  be  under  the  advice  of  a  member  of  sucl  i 
society  constantly  (really  a  system  of  surveillance)  during  the  life  f 
the  ex- convict,  in  whatever  country  he  might  be.  ' 

It  is  but  fair  for  me  to  here  state  that  I  did  not  disclose  to  Dr.  Gi 
laume  my  official  character.  I  will  say  that  through  my  interpreter  > 
Luzerne  and  Geneva  I  learned  that  ten  or  fifteen  years  ago  it  was  i- 
derstood  that  persons  were  sometimes  assisted  by  the  local  authoritiJ  ^k 
of  the  Cantons,  or  possibly  by  ratepayers,  where  they  were  not  want* , 
to  leave,  and  generally  for  the  United  States.  But  Dr.  Guillau:' 
informed  me  that  the  matter  of  the  emigration  to  the  United  Sta ' 
was  sometimes  a  serious  one  for  certain  localities  of  Switzerland;  tl  J 
a  few  persons  from  a  commune  in  the  mountains  would  go  to  the  Unit! 
States,  and  would  do  so  well  and  send  such  reliable  reports  back ) 
their  friends  and  neighbors  that  often  a  whole  commune  would  sell  ( J^ 
their  property  and  go  to  the  United  States  with  their  famihes,  th ' 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    219 

teacliers,  and  their  ministers;  and  that  tliis  had  sometimes  become  so 
grave  a  matter  tliat  the  Federal  Government  had  through  him  as  the 
director  of  the  federal  statistics,  caused  an  inquiry  to  be  made  con- 
"cerniiig  the  amount  of  wealth  which  each  emigrant  going  from  Switzer- 
land took  with  him.  • 

Dr.  Guillaume  said  that  their  investigations  have  been  long  and  thor- 
ough, and  that  they  had  now  arrived  at  a  pretty  accurate  estimate  of 
the  average  amount  of  funds  which  was  taken  out  of  Switzerland  to 
the  United  States  by  emigrants,  through  bank  drafts,  postal  orders, 
and  other  ways  of  conveying  funds  not  actually  in  cash  itself.  But  he 
said  tliat  the  average  amount  of  money  which  each  emigrant  carried 
with  him  when  leaving  was  still  a  matter  of  only  conjecture;  that  they 
had  not  yet  devised  any  plan  wliich  could  be  put  into  figures,  so  im- 
portant as  would  the  estimates  to  be  given  in  the  federal  statistics  of 
Switzerland. 

I  may  here  add  tliat  Dr.  Guillaume  has  furnished  me  with  the  statis- 
tics of  the  earnings  of  every  possible  member  of  a  household  of  every 
possible  department  of  life  in  Switzerland;  also  the  expenses  of  every 
member  of  a  household  in  all  departments  of  life,  together  with  many 
other  very  interesting  statistics.  I  expected  to  receive  from  Dr. 
Guillaume  the  statistics  which  the  Federal  Government  of  Switzerland 
have  collated,  through  Dr.  Guillaume's  efforts,  on  the  subject  of  the 
amount  of  funds  taken  by  the  emigrants  of  Switzerland  to  the  United 
States,  but  up  to  the  i)resent  time  I  have  not  received  the  same.  Should 
I  hereafter  receive  them,  I  will  send  the  same  to  you.  I  shall  also  de- 
posit with  you  these  statistics  received. 

I  desire  here  to  acknowledge  the  receipt,  through  Dr.  Guillaume,  of  all 
Df  the  reports  on  all  of  the  subjects  discussed  at  the  last  International 
Prison  Conference,  held  at  St.  Petersburg,  which  together  with  his 
w^orks  on  the  same  subject,  I  shall  deposit  with  you.  Of  course,  in  talking 
With  Dr.  Guillaume,  as  I  did  not  disclose  my  official  capacity,  I  did  not 
baU  his  attention  to  the  fact  that  no  ex-convicts  could  be  received  into 
the  United  States  at  all. 

I  From  the  rei)ort  above  referred  to,  transmitted  to  the  honorable  the 
Secretary  of  State,  by  the  Hon.  Geo.  Gifford,  United  States  Consul  at 
Basle,  Switzerland,  it  will  be  seen  that  from  the  report  of  agents  alone, 
Bach  emigTant  carries  about  100  francs  to  the  United  States  exclusive 
of  cash,  bank  drafts,  postal  orders,  personal  effects,  and  legacies.  This 
report  also  confirms  the  information  of  Dr.  Guillaume  that  now  crimi- 
bsds  and  paupers  are  not  sent  to  the  United  States. 

ITALY. 

On  the  26th  of  September,  1  arrived  in  Turin,  on  my  way  to  meet 
pommissioners  Powderly  and  Schulties  at  Milan,  as  had  been  agreed 
apon. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  Commissioners  Powderly,  Schulties,  and 
nyself,  met  at  Milan  by  previous  arrangement.  I  had  stopped  at  Turin 
m  route;  and  on  the  same  day  Commissioners  Powderly  and  Schulties 
>tarted  for  Naples,  where  I  followed  them  the  next  day.  We  proceeded 
mmediately  to  Naples  for  the  reason  that  we  had  learned  that  the 
OaUforniaj  of  the  Anchor  line,  was  due  to  sail  from  Naples  on  Sep- 
tember 29.  But  for  some  reason  she  did  not  sail  for  about  four  days 
ater. 

At  Naples  I  visited  all  the  steamship  companies'  general  agents  and 


Ha 

'■ej  J 

•01' 


220    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

had  conversations  with  tlieni  in  reference  to  the  object  of  my  missioi 
In  several  interviews  with  Mr.  Holme,  the  general  agent  of  the  Anch 
Line  in  Italy,  he  informed  me  that  they  were  not  carrying  as  many  e 
grants  at  that  time  as  they  had  during  a  corresponding  period  in  181 
Mr.  Holmes  gave  me  the  numbers  carried  from  Naples  to  the  Unite 
States  ports  from  July  1,  1890,  to  July  1,  1891,  by  the  three  princip: 
lines  (pooled  lines),  the  Anchor  Line,  the  Faber  Line,  and  the  Navigatioi 
General  Italienne,  as  42,227^  on  the  basis  of  adults,  2  children  beiii 
reckoned  as  one  adult;  of  which  33,104^  on  adult  basis  were  passag<| 
paid  with  cash  in  Italy,  and  8,023|  were  j^repaid  from  the  United  Stater 
and  my  interpreter  informed  me  that  many  of  the  emigrants  whom  1 
met  at  the  depot,  and  talked  with,  he  found  had  the  money  sent  the 
direct  from  the  United  States  to  purchase  their  tickets  with.  j 

These  figures  do  not  include  the  IS'ational  Line  (French  line).  I  havenc  I 
yet  received  the  numbers  carried  by  the  National  Line,  although  I  ha^  \ 
sent  to  United  States  Consul  Twells  for  them.  Mr.  Holme  informe 
me  that  hitherto  the  Italian  Government  had  discouraged  in  man 
ways  and  by  x^nblic  methods  the  emigration  to  South  America,  for  tl 
reason  that  the  Italian  people  had  not  been  well  treated  there. 

Mr.  Holme  also  informed  me  that  the  Queensland  Government  ha 
given  such  assurances  to  the  Italian  Government  that  now  contracts  wej 
permitted  for  people  to  sign  to  go  to  QueensJand  as  emigrants,  und( 
such  terms  that  their  passage  was  ])aid,  the  family  working  two  ye 
for  the  owner  of  the  land  to  repay  the  passage  money,  which  is  aboi 
$83  for  each  adult  person;  and  alter  the  two  years  then  the  land  cor 
panics  for  whom  they  worked  are  to  sell  them  a  tract  of  land,  to  L 
paid  for  in  ten  years,  one-tenth  to  be  paid  each  year.  Mr.  Holir 
showed  me  the  contract  to  be  signed  by  the  emigrants,  which  is  printe 
both  in  Italian  and  English.  The  fair  from  Naples  to  Brazil  is  |;:| 
and  to  the  United  States  $25. 

Mr.  Holme  also  said  to  me  that  it  was  well  understood  in  steamboi 
circles,  though  he  had  no  official  confirmation  of  the  same,  that  t' 
Brazilian  Government  had  also  given  such  assurances  to  the  Italian  Go' 
ernment  ot  protection  to  Italian  emigrants  going  to  that  country  and  a^ 
assurance  of  fair  pay  for  two  years  for  their  work,  that  the  Italian  Gor; 
ernment  had  sanctioned  a  contract  made  by  the  Brazilian  Governmei 
with  the  steamship  comi)any  owned  and  operated  from  Genoa,  Italy,  t 
Eio  de  Janerio,  and  that  the  passage  of  these  Brazilian  emigrants  ws^ 
paid  from  their  homes  to  the  x>lace  in  Brazil  where  they  were  furnishe 
work.  He  thought  this  probably  for  a  few  years  would  greatly  dimu 
ish  the  number  of  Italian  emigrants  going  to  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Holme  remarked :  "A  stream  of  emigration  once  started  nev(' 
stops."  And  he  said  that  this  stream  had  begun  to  run  to  the  Unite 
States ;  and  that  the  letters  which  came  backfrom  the  Italian  emigrant 
in  the  United  States,  together  with  the  constant  flow  of  money  backt 
their  friends,  was  a  powerful  incentive  to  emigration,  and  that  th 
large  stream  of  emigration  from  Italy  to  the  United  States  would  coi 
tinue  in  large  numbers,  notwithstanding  the  free  emigration  to  Queenf 
land  and  to  Brazil.  His  company  sends  a  steamer  from  Naples  to  tb 
United  States  and  one  from  the  United  States  to  Naples  about  ever 
two  weeks.  They  have  an  average  return  movement  of  about  two  hm 
dred  on  every  steamer  at  that  time  of  year.  This  company  acts  a 
bankers,  as  do  all  of  the  steamship  companies,  nearly,  at  Naples  and  i 
Italy;  and  they  are  constantly  advised  of  the  amounts  of  money  whic 
are  being  sent  back  fi^om  the  United  States  to  Italy. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    221 

Mr.  Holme  invited  United  States  Consul  Twells  and  the  commission- 
I  llrs  to  be  present  at  the  time  of  the  Government  inspection  of  the  steam- 
^Ihip  California,  on  Friday,  October  2d,  the  day  of  the  sailing  of  the 
Ucssel,  at  11  o'clock  a.  m.  At  11  o'clock  that  day,  Consul  Twells  and 
"^  iiyself  went  to  Mr.  Holme's  office,  and  Commissioners  Powderly  and 
-Mchulties  went  directly  to  the  steamboat.  At  Mr.  Holme's  office  we 
;  icre  informed  that  Mr.  Holme  was  not  present,  and  that  he  had  left 
'  iord  that  2  o'clock  would  be  a  better  hour  for  us  to  go.  Mr.  Twells 
md  myself  then  returned  to  Mr.  Holme's  office  at  1.45  p.  m.,  and  at  2 
.  i'clock,  with  Mr.  Holme,  we  went  to  the  steamer  California,  where  I 
i  bund  commissioners  Powderly  and  Schulties  had  been  since  11  o'clock 

-  Bmong  the  emigrants.     Commissioner  Schulties  immediately  joined  Mr. 
'■4  (wells  and  myself  to  view  the  inspection  which  was  then  going  on. 

\  At  that  time  a  physician  stood  at  a  table  vaccinating  the  passengers 
)'i  ind  a  police  officer  was  inspecting  their  passports  and  asking  various 
^  fuestions.     As  I  now  remember  they  said  the  medical  inspection  had 

-  kken  place  before  we  arrived.  In  my  presence  the  officer  sat  out  two 
hen  whom  he  said,  as  Avas  explained  to  me,  were  under  false  passports, 
Jnd  I  Avas  told  that  one  of  tiiem  admitted  that  the  passport  was  not 
is  own.    Tliere  was  a  good  deal  of  discussion  and  conversation  at  the 

^  iiloscof  the  inspection  in  reference  to  the  other  man  set  out  and  put  in 

fjharg(^.  of   a   seargeant  by  the  police  off.cer,  but  one,  Chamoni,  who 

teemed   to  have  charge  of  the  whole  nmtter,  and  was,   I  was  told,  a 

J  ijery  wealthy  man  who  had  a  sort  of  a  brokerage  business  in  clearing 

'essels  at  the  port,  urged  very  strongly  that  the  man  be  permitted  to 

0.     Mr.  Schulties,  who  was  at  my  side,  informed  me  that  he  under- 

tood  the  officer,  and  that  the  officer  claimed  that  one  of  the  men  was 

\inted  by  the  police;  that  he  had  been  thirteen  years  out  of  fourteen 

ehind  the  bars,  and  the  officer  said,  putting  the  papers  into  his  pocket, 

this  man  is  in  chargeof  my  sergeant;  I  shall  keep  him;  he  is  wanted 

y  the  i)olice;"  but  after  a  few  minutes'  conversation  witli  Mr.  Chimino 

i)  (oth  of  these  men  were  permitted  to  remain  aboard  the  ship  and  took 

I  beir  places  among  the  passengers. 

I  I  1  did  not  see  Commissioner  Powderly  while  I  was  aboard  the  shij), 

)  iut  Commissioner  Schulties  informed  me  that  Commissioner  Powderly 

i^as  then"  aboard  the  ship,  and  had  been  since  11  o'clock,  observing 

•  l^hat  was  going  on.     Afterwards  Commissioner  Powderly  informed  me 

hat  he  had  seen  everything  that  was  going  on.     To  a  question  which 

i  j  asked  Mr.  Holme,  in  the  presence  of  United  States  Consul-  Twells 

i  pd  Commissioner  Schulties  as  to  his  opinion  as  to  the  practicability  of 

■J  JDnsular  inspection,  he  replied  that  he  thought  it  would  be  very  detri- 

|iental  to  the  interests  of  the  carrying  trade,  as  it  would  greatly  im- 

jede  emigration  and  would  not  result  in  getting  any  better  class  than 

pw  went  from  Italy. 

Mr.  Holme  informed  me  that  his  instructions  from  the  headquarters 

'   ff  his  conipany  at  Glasgow,  from  Messrs.  Henderson  Bros.,  was  in  every 

i   fay  to  observe  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  to  sell  no  tickets  to 

lie  prohibited  classes.     He  informed  me  that  they  i)referred  to  have 

he  police  authorities  make  the  examination  on  board  the  vessels,  be- 

ause  if  one  of  the  jiivohibited  class  was  found  aboard  the  vessels  the 

dice  would  have  a  right  to  take  him  oft' and  prevent  his  going,  whereas 

le  steamboat  company  itself  could  not  do  this  if  they  had  a  ticket  un- 

'ss  the  emigrant  w^as  objectionable  under  the  sanitary  laws  of  Italy. 

Mr.  Holme  informed  me  that  their  agents  were  paid  10  per  cent  on 

lie  passage  money  of  passengers  procured  by  them. 

II.  Ex.  37 50 


f 


222    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


i  also  liad  an  iiiter\iew  Tvitli  Mr.  L.  Balsamo,  agent  of  tlic  National 
Line,  wliicli  is  not  in  the  pool  and  is  a  Frencli  line.     He  opposed  con-' 
sular  inspection,  as  did  all  the  steaniboat  agents  at  Naples. 

I  also  bad  an  interview  with  Messrs.  W.T.  Luca  &  Bros.,  the  ageuts,' 
of  the  Faber  line  of  stearaers  going  to  New  York.  Mr.  Wickersham, ' 
United  States  vice-consul  at  Naples,  was  present  at  my  first  interview.5 
I  first  had  an  interview  with  the  younger  brother  and  afterwards  witlij 
the  elder  brother.  They  said  that  they  tried  to  be  very  strict;  thati 
they  printed  the  United  States  laws  regarding  emigration  and  sent] 
them  broadcast  OA^er  their  territory,  which  is  the  whole  of  Italy.  They 
informed  me  that  under  the  laws  of  Italy,  which  is  below  explained,, 
they  put  up  in  the  hands  of  the  Governiuent  100,000  francs  in  Go^'crn 
ment  bonds  of  Italj',  60,000  francs  in  Government  bonds  being  the  low 
est  amount  required  of  any  agent  under  the  laws  of  Italy  as  securi 
for  the  good  treatment  of  the  emigrants  and  for  the  observance  of  t] 
laws  of  Italy  in  regard  to  emigration. 

Messrs.  Luca  informed  me  tljat  they  refused  all  improper  perso: 
when  they  were  discovered,  and  that  they  held  their  subordinati 
responsible;  that  they  thought  the  contracts  of  the  Genoa  com])any  to 
take  150,000  Italians  to  Brazil  free  Avonld  take  a  better  class  of  people 
to  the  United  States,  and  they,  with  all  their  agents  there,  agreed  that 
the  emigrants  mostly  go  from  the  country.  They  inibrmed  me  tliat 
their  next  boat  from  New  York  would  contain  about  290  passengers 
coming  back  from  New  York  to  Italy;  that  they  acted  as  bankers,  and 
that  there  was  a  continual  stream  of  money  retiu'ning  I'rom  the  United 
States  to  Italy  through  the  Italiam  emigrants.  They  said  tlicy  thonglit 
emigration  was  a  good  thing  for  Italy,  as  it  brought  so  much  money  to 
the  country,  as  thousands  returned  every  year  and  spent  the  winter  in 
Italy,  returning  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  to  work  during  the 
spring,  summer,  and  fall. 

These  gentlemen  also  informed  me  that  emigrants  often  sent  for  theii 
families,  and  many  emigrants  returned  to  Italy  to  live  after  making 
some  money.  They  said  that  through  their  banking  departments  the 
Italians  of  the  United  States  often  sent  money  to  pay  off  mortgages  ou 
their  property.     This  firm  have  subagents  all  over  Italy. 

The  elder  of  these  brothers  had  recentl^^  been  to  England  in  confer 
ence  with  the  three  pool  lines  that  sail  boats  from  Naples.  He  m 
formed  me  that  the  pool  pays  the  expenses  of  litigation  in  the  Unit-|<3 
States  under  the  laws  of  the  United  States  in  regard  to  emigrants, 
He  also  informed  me  that  when  he  was  in  Liverpool  it  was  iheii 
thought  that  the  North  German  Lloyd  Company,  in  a  new  line  oi 
steamers  placed  by  it  on  the  line  between  Italy  and  the  United  Statee 
while  I  was  in  Italy,  would  not  carry  steerage  passengers;  but  that  it 
was  then  found  that  the  company's  steamers  had  been  fitted  up  tf 
carry  about  1,100  steerage  passengers  each,  and  that  this  line  would 
now  compete  w^th  any  other  four  lines  running  from  Italy  to  the  United 
States. 

This  gentleman  thought  that  the  Brazil  contract  would  greatly  lesser 
emigration  to  the  United  States,  as  thousands  more  now  went  tc 
Brazil  than  to  the  United  States,  and  the  Italian  Government  sane 
tioned  it  and  it  did  not  sanction  it  last  year. 

These  gentlemen  both  opposed  consular  inspection,  as  it  would  be  ? 
bar  to  a  great  many  going  who  would  otherwise  go.  They  showed  ni( 
the  names  of  seven  men  from  Sicily  whom  they  had  refased  to  tak( 
aboard  their  steamers  because  the  evidence  from  their  tickets  wa^ 
plain  to  them  that  they  had  arranged  to  go  out  as  contract  laborers 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    223 

They  informed  me  that  they  were  doing  everything  they  could,  and 
should  continue  to  do  everything  they  could,  to  keep  themselves  iu 
harmony  with  the  laws  of  the  United  States. 

I  sent  my  interxireter  to  the  railway  station  to  interview  the  emigrants 
as  they  came  in.  He  reported  to  me  that  four  tailors  were  going  by  the 
California  to  Baltimore;  that  their  friends  sent  the  money  for  them  to 
go.  Three  street  sweepers  were  going  to  Kew  York;  that  a  street- 
{  sweeper  in  New  York,  who  was  a  friend  of  the  men,  sent  them  the  money 
to  go,  and  told  them  that  they  could  get  a  great  deal  more  by  going 
(liiect  to  him  to  sweep  the  streets,  than  they  could  make  by  hiring  out 
at  tlie  agencies  near  the  wharf.  In  the  letter  they  were  cautioned  not 
to  go  to  tlie  agencies  to  get  work,  as  they  would  only  get  there  $1.75 
to  $2  a  day,  while  in  sweeping  the  streets  they  would  make  several  dol- 
lars per  day  more.  The  interpreter  gave  me  the  number  that  was  given 
tliem  where  they  were  to  go  in  New  York.  These  men,  the  interpreter 
said,  were  large,  strong  men. 

Four  or  five  stone  masons,  he  reported,  from  Naples  were  going  to  a 

certain  agency  in  New  Yoik,  where  they  were  to  be  furnished  work. 

He  also  reported  that  there  were  some  carpenters  and  i^ainters,  who 

were  going  to  Boston  from  near  Rome  to  work;  and  that  they  had 

been  promised  a  large  price  i)er  day.     Several  gardeners  were  going 

to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  they,  too,  had  been  i)romised  a  large  price  per 

j  day.    These  men  refused  to  give  their  names  to  the  interpreter,  and  also 

refused  to  give  the  names  of  the  persons  for  whom  they  were  to  work. 

The  interpreter  also  reported  to  me  that  the  steamboat  agency  who 

,  had  sold  them  their  tickets  had  given  them  these  figures,  and  in  all  of 

\  these  cases  the  figures  were  very  much  higher  than  I  knew  they  could 

I  possibly  get  in  any  of  those  kinds  of  business  in  the  United  States. 

Some  shoemakers  were  going  to  Philadelphia.     These  were  in  families 

and  were  going  to  friends  tliere,  wlio  write  they  were  doing  w^ell.     They 

J  got  the  money  to  go  from  their  friends. 

I     Mr.  Robert  O'Neil   Wickersham,  the  United  States  vice-consul  at 
;  Naples,  who  was  formerly  from  Philadelphia  and  is  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  Naples,  is  thoroughly  posted  in  reference  to  Italian  matters. 
He  gave  me  the  following  estimates  of  the  pay  which  laborers  got  in 
Southern  Italy,  to  wit: 

Farm  laborers,  1  to  2  francs  per  day  and  find  themselves;  women, 
1  to  2  francs;  common  laborers,  2  fr-ancs;  good  stonecutters,  4  to  8 
francs;  common  stonecutters,  rather  less;  carpenters,  4  to  5  francs; 
masons,  3  to  4  francs;  hod  carriers,  2  to  3  francs;  women  and  boys, 
common  work,  one-half  to  1^  francs;  aU  day  work.  Laborers  pay  for 
rent  from  18  to  30  francs  a  month. 

The  pe()i)le  of  Southern  Italy  are  industrious,  saving,  and  sober. 
Both  Mr.  Wickersham  and  United  States  Consul  Twells  said  that  they 
seldom  ever  saw  drunken  people.  All  the  steamboat  agents  in  Italy 
are  compelled  by  the  Government  to  place  in  the  hands  of  the  Govern- 
ment from  60,000  to  100,000  francs,  according  to  the  amount  of  terri- 
tory that  they  desire  to  have  subagents  in,  as  a  guarantee  of  good 
treatment  to  the  emigiants.  This,  it  will  be  observed,  creates  a  monop- 
oly at  least,  and  for  this  reason  these  general  agents  have  great  con- 
trol over  their  subagents;  and  if  the  general  agents  are  watchful  and 
strict,  they  can  enforce  the  lu'ovisions  provided  for  in  the  United  States 
laws  against  the  emigration  into  the  United  States  of  the  prohibited 
classes. 
All  Italians  leaving  Italy  by  any  seaport  are  compelled  to  have  a 
i  passport;  but  this  is  not  strictly  required  when  leaving  Italy  by  rail- 


224    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

way;  and  a  great  many  of  the  Italian  people  when  leaving  Italy  to  gjoj 
into  an  adjoining  country  to  work  temporarilyj  take  temporary  pass-j 
ports  for  one  year.  The  Italian  people  are  very  fond  of  their  childreii, 
and  those  Avho  go  from  Italy  to  the  United  States  in  the  spring  to  re-l 
turn  in  the  fall,  though,  i)erhaps,  a  great  many  more  stay  a  year  or  two) 
and  then  return,  meantime  send  their  families  nearly  all  of  their  earninga.! 
Among  all  of  the  lower  classes  nearly  all  of  the  women  and  childreaj 
work  to  help  snpx)ort  the  families. 

I  found  in  Naples  that  great  numbers  of  people  were  going  to  Soi 
America,  as  many,  if  not  more  than  were  going  to  the  United  Stal 
I  was  informed  that  the  ItaUan  Government  would  not  grant  X)assporte| 
to  Italians  to  leave  the  country  who  could  not  work  and  earn  their  liv- 
ing in  foreign  countries  (hut  the  laws  or  orders  as  below  given  dispute! 
this),  because  there  had  been  so  much  trouble  through  applications  of' 
Italians  who  could  not  work  to  be  sent  back  to  their  own  country  from 
foreign  lands.     A  passport  in  Italy  costs  $3.50. 

I  sent  my  interpreter  among  the  passengers  who  were  about  to  saili 
on  the  Bolivia  to  South  America  from  Naples.    Tie  found  that  it  was  tni^| 
that  the  Brazilian  Government  was  paying  all  the  expenses  of  the  ei 
grants  from  their  homes  in  Italy  to  their  places  of  work  in  Brazil,  wil 
assurances  of  better  pay  than  in  tlie  United  States  (the  emigrants 
the  term  North  and  South  America).     This  plan  had  been  started 
fore  tlie  change  of  Government  in  Brazil,  but  fear  of  trouble  in  Bn 
had  deflected  great  numbers  to  the  United  States  in  1890  and  up  to  tl 
present  time. 

My  interpreter  reported  to  me  that  the  emigrants  told  him  that  th^| 
would  go  to  the  iilaces  which  were  '^tlie  easiest  to  get  there"  (on  tl 
Une  of  least  resistance,  political  scientists  would  say).  At  all  event 
at  the  time  when  I  was  in  Naples  about  equal  numbers  went  on  tl 
Bolivia  to  Brazil  and  on  the  California  to  New  York.  The  fare  to  Bm 
zil  was  $33,  the  fare  to  New  York  $25.  Each  boat  took  about  700  pa 
sengers. 

I  was  informed  by  Mr. ,  the  clerk  in  the  United  States  consul 

office  at  Naples,  that  Formicola,  in  the  south  of  Italy,  was,  a  few  years 
ago,  a  village  of  GOO  people;  that  now  there  were  only  about  300 
people,  which  are  nearly  all  women  and  children,  there  being  only  about 
a  dozen  or  tiftcen  men  left  in  the  village,  Avhile  the  rest  of  the  men  have 
gone  to  the  United  States  where  they  earn  money  to  send  back  to  their 
families. 

The  Bolivia,  fi'om  New  Y^ork  to  Naples,  landed,  September  24,  1891, 
218  steerage  passengers  from  New  York  returning  to  Italy.  There  are 
now  about  90  steamboat  sailings  from  Naples  to  the  United  States 
each  year,  carrying  emigrants  to  the  amount  of  about  50,000.  The  re- 
turn movement,  singularly  enough,  in  Italy  I  found  to  be  entirely  un- 
like that  to  Scotland  and  other  portions  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, 
as  the  Italians  commenced  to  come  back  from  the  United  States  in 
August,  and  this  back  movement  continues  pretty  strongly  until  Novem- 
ber, when  it  commences  to  go  the  other  way,  fr-om  Italy  to  the  United 
States. 

About  3,000  per  year  go  from  Palermo,  in  Sicily,  to  New  Orleans,  of 
whom  95  per  cent  are  agriculturalists,  so  estimated  by  the  steamboat 
officers.  As  Naples  was  the  center  of  emigration  activities  in  Italy, 
and  as  we  had  the  best  opportunities  at  Naples  to  study  the  question, 
it  was  thought  that  it  would  be  needless  expense  for  all  three  of  the 
commissioners  to  goto  Sicily,  and  it  was  therefore  determined  between 
us  that  Commissioners  Powderly  and  Schulties  should  go  to  Sicily,  while 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    225 

I  went  to  Eonie  to  iiiake  investigatious  in  reference  to  the  possibility 
of  Italian  convicts  being  sent  to,  or  assisted  to  go  to  tbe  United  States, 
Avliich  I  did. 

I  afterwards  visited  Florence,  Venice,  and  Milan,  for  the  pmpose 
especially  of  finding  out  whether  or  not  ex-convicts  were  in  any  organ- 
ized way  sent  to  the  United  States.  But,  while  I  made  thorough  inves- 
tigations in  all  these  cities  to  find  out  whether  or  not  there  were  pris- 
oners' aid  societies  for  this  or  any  purpose,  I  neither  could  learn  that 
sucli  was  the  fact,  nor  had  any  of  the  United  States  consuls,  nor  the 
actiiig  minister  of  the  Uidted  States  in  Italy  ever  heard  of  any  con- 
victs or  paupers  being  sent  systematically  to  the  United  States  by  any 
organized  effort,  either  through  the  Government  or  through  municipal 
officers  or  societies. 

Undoubtedly  a  great  many  very  poor  people  •  manage  to  get  from 
Italy  to  the  United  States,  but  it  is  done  in  a  way  which  I  shall  refer 
to  hereafter,  and  concerning  which  Commissioners  Powderly  and  Schul- 
ties  obtained  valuable  information.  I  could  not  anywhere  in  Italy  learn 
of  any  prisoners'  aid  societies  and  I  became  satisfied  that  none  existed 
as  such.  Still  it  is  probably  true  that  many  philanthropic  people  in 
Italy  are  in  touch  and  sympathy  with  the  movement  explained  to  me 
by  Dr.  Guillaume,  of  Berne,  in  reference  to  giving  advice  and  assistance 
to  ex-convicts;  as  is  probably  true  in  France,  Germany,  and  all  other 
European  countries. 

The  basis  of  the  great  emigration  from  Italy  to  both  North  and  South 
America  is,  of  course,  overpopulation,  without  sufficient  labor  and  em- 
ployment, and  general  poverty.  This  is  especially  true  of  Southern 
Italy.  There  is  no  divorce  in  Italy.  People  marry  young  and  have 
large  families,  as  a  rule,  among  the  common  people,  and  especially 
among  the  (tommon  countiy  people,  of  whom  nine-tenths  of  our  Italian 
emigrants  consist.  Nearly  all  the  labor  in  the  country  districts  is  farm 
labor.  It  long  ago  reached  its  limit  in  supplying  means  of  support  to 
tlie  pe()i)le.  In  the  northern  cities,  such  as  Turin,  Milan,  and  Venice, 
manufacturing  has  been  greatly  stimulated  during  the  new  regime,  and 
this  is  giving  employment  to  the  very  industrious  and  economical  peo- 
l)le  of  the  north.  Silk  manufacturing  is  taking  an  imi^ortant  rank  there. 
There  are  5,000  women  in  Venice  alone  employed  in  making  lace,  and 
their  glass  and  other  factories  have  long  been  famous. 

Tliere  is  a  large  emigration  from  north  Italy,  but  from  Naples  alone 
there  went  to  the  United  States  by  ocean,  sailing  directly  from  Naples, 
about  50,000  people  from  June,  1890,  to  June,  1891. 

In  southern  Italy  there  is  but  little  manufacturing,  and  no  spirit  of 
developing  such  industries.  In  northern  Italy  and  in  the  mountain  dis- 
trctis,  many  people  own  their  little  plats  of  land.  It  is  not  so  much  so 
in  southern  Italy.  The  rich  plain  lands  of  northern  Italy,  as  well  as 
the  valleys  and  plain  lands  of  southern  Italy,  must  necessarily  have 
extensive  systems  of  irrigation,  and  owing  to  this,  the  land  gets  into 
the  hands  of  large  owners,  and  the  farmers  can  seldom  own  the  land 
they  work.  Irrigation  often,  and  in  fact  nearly  always,  requires  the 
combination  of  capital  and  the  union  of  large  estates  to  provide  the 
necessary  water  for  irrigating  jmrposes,  and  keep  up  repairs  of  irrigat- 
ing systems;  (consequently  the  great  mass  of  the  farm  workers,  whence 
come  almost  all  of  our  immigrants,  are  poor,  with  i)oor  ancestors,  with 
no  real  interest  in  the  soil,  with  only  an  interest  in  the  climate,  the 
legeiuls,  the  patriotic  songs,  the  flags,  the  religion,  and  the  history  of 
the  country. 

In  southern  Italy,  in  times  past,  and  in  fact  during  very  recent  years, 
H.  Ex.  235 15 


226    ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

the  people  liave  not  looked  upon  brigandage  and  acts  of  robbery  as 
have  always  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  'and  the  noithern  races  generally. 
Hence  the  Mafia  Society  in  Sicily,  the  Camorra  Society  in  Naples,  and 
the  Society  of  the  Evil  Eye  in  the  Adriatic  provinces  of  southern  Italy.  J 
have  had  easy  s^yay.     It  is  a  remnant  of  old  piratical  times,  and  man^j 
of  the  people  look  on  such  systems  as  one  way  of  getting  a  living,  asj 
did  the  wreckers  on  some  parts  of  our  own  Atlantic  coast  in  formei  I 
years.  j 

With  great  illiteracy  (from  65  per  cent  to  85  per  cent  of  the  people  | 
can  not  read  or  write) — now  being  rapidly  reduced  under  the  new  r^-l 
gime — general  poverty,  no  emx^loyment  for  the  increasing  millions,  em-^ 
igration  agents  have  little  to  do  except  to  show  the  people  where  to  go.i 
how  to  go,  and  how  to  manage  the  finances  of  the  passage. 

I  do  not  think  that  .service  in  the  army  has  much,  if  any,  influence  ODl 
the  emigration  movement  in  Italy,  except  the  enormous  taxes  it  entaikj 
on  the  people.  The  army  seems  to  be  very  popular  with  the  soldiergj 
generally.  The  poor  man's  sons  have  an  opportunity  to  associate  witbj 
the  sons  of  those  better  to  do.  They  have  two  hours  each  day  schooling,  j 
and  often  get  the  only  education  they  have  in  the  army.  I  was  told] 
the  youths  of  Italy  look  forward  with  great  interest  to  the  period  oil 
service  in  the  army. 

Taxes  are  very  burdensome,  as  it  is  laid  in  so  many  ways.  Nearl;y 
all  the  cities  have  a  tarifi'  on  all  produce  which  enters  tliei'e,  the  sanu 
as  at  Paris  (where  the  inner  walls  are  kept  now  not  for  defense,  but  a^ 
an  easy  method  of  collecting  the  city  tariff  at  the  gates,  where  even 
X)ossible  product  of  farm,  mine,  quarry,  forest,  brickyard,  vineyard, 
brewery,  distillery,  orchard,  garden,  etc.,  paj^s  a  tariff' to  the  cityj  an(] 
every  i^crson  entering  by  rail,  boat,  tram,  or  afoot,  must  declare  what 
he  has  in  bundle,  gri]),  basket,  vehicle,  etc.). 

In  Kaples,  as  one  illustration,  I  was  told  that  it  costs  about  $8  cit} 
tariff  to  get  an  ox  from  the  country  into  the  city  to  be  slaughtered. 

All  that  the  agent  has  to  do  is  to  show  the  men  where  they  can  make 
more  than  25  or  30  cents  per  day  (their  usual  pay  in  Italy)  and  how  tc 
get  there.  As  Mr.  Holme  well  put  it:  "When  once  the  stream  of  emi- 
gration commences,  it  never  stops;"  which  is  true,  at  least  until  the 
equilibrium  is  establislied.  It  has  commenced  to  run  from  Italy  to  oui 
shores  as  well  as  to  South  America,  and  long  may  the  day  be  distant 
before  the  equilibrium  shall  be  'established  so  far  as  the  conditions  oj 
pay  and  the  opportunities  of  the  laboring  class  are  concerned,  between 
that  class  in  Italy  and  the  same  class  in  the  United  States. 

Probably  until  quite  recently,  nearly  every  man  who  left  Italy  for  tli( 
United  States  was  contracted  for,  as  they  greatly  preferred  an  assure(; 
place,  even  at  small  wages,  in  a  foreign  country.  The  great  majority  gO| 
ing  to  the  United  States  do  well — quite  well  for  Italy.  There  is  an  endless 
stream  of  letters  going  from  the  United  States  to  their  friends  in  Italy 
— those  who  can  not  write  get  friends  to  wiite  for  them — and  these  let  j 
ters  nearly  always  tell  of  the  welldoing  of  the  emigrants.  There  is  fi 
continual  stream  of  men  coming  back  through  every  port  of  Italy  and 
through  every  mountain  tunnel  into  Italy  from  the  northern  ports  oJJ 
Europe,  in  the  fall  time,  who  all  incite  others  to  also  go  to  the  United! 
States. 

The  peox)le  in  Italy  say  they  notice  a  great  change  in  the  men  win 
have  been  in  the  United  States.  Those  who  return  are  independeni 
and  self-reliant.  They  are  constantly  bestirring  others  to  go.  Eacl 
Italian  in  the  United  States  can  easily  secure  a  place  for  a  friend,  an(i 
the  process  is  ever  being  repeated.    Every  ship  returning  in  the  fal 


ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    227 

brings  back  from  200  to  300.  Tliese  men  who  return  in  the  fall  assist 
in  putting  in  certain  crops  and  doing  certain  work  before  they  return 
again  to  the  United  States.  Well  may  the  steamboat  agents  above 
referred  to  have  urged  upon  the  Italian  Government  that  it  was  a 
great  error  to  oppose  the  Italian  emigration,  as  it  brought  so  large  a 
stream  of  money  back  into  Italy. 

Of  course  very  many  finally  take  out  their  families  and  remain  per- 
manently in  the  United  States.  These  southern  Italians  are  sober^ 
industrious,  and  economical,  and  fond  of  their  children,  and  send  to 
their  families  the  money  which  they  earn.  They  are  hot-blooded;  hence 
so  many  murders  in  Italy  (about  5,000  yearly),  and  a  great  majority  of 
tliem  in  southern  Italy.  All  of  the  steamboat  agents  acting  as  bank- 
ers are  doubtless  in  some  way  connected  Avith  the  great  numbers  of 
Italian  banks  in  ISew  York,  Brooklyn,  and  Jersey  City,  which  I  am 
credibly  informed  is  more  than  80  in  New  York  alone. 

These  New  York  banks  in  some  way  provide  the  Italians  in  the  United 
States  with  tickets  with  which  to  bring  their  friends  over  from  Italy* 
and  in  all  probability,  more  or  less,  this  is  true  of  the  banks  in  Italy;  as 
we  were  informed  tliat  they  charge  very  large  profits  for  the  amount  of 
money  sufiicient  to  i>ay  the  passage  over,  from  100  to  200  per  cent. 

Italy  with  its  thirty  million  of  i)rolific  people  can  send  to  the  United 
States  several  millions  of  people.  With  the  five  large  steamship  lines 
sailing  from  the  Italian  ports;  with  all  the  steamshii)  lines  from 
Havre,  Boulogne,  Antwerp,  Eotterdam,  Amsterdam,  Bremen,  and 
Hamburg,  all  with  railway  facilities  and  connections  into  and  through 
Italy,  and  with  the  competition  of  the  southern  steamboat  lines  and 
of  the  northern  steaml)oat  lines  for  the  carrying  trade;  with  millions  of 
people  with  little  employment,  it  is  only  needed  that  there  shall  be 
the  machinery  of  banking  and  brokerage  connections  that  shall  furnish 
the  money  for  the  passage  ticket  either  from  America  or  in  Italy,  with 
connections  in  America  to  collecit  the  money  from  the  emigrants,  so 
soon  as  earned;  for  the  steamship  companies  do  an  enormous  business 
in  carrying  emigrants  from  Italy  to  the  United  States  and  from  the 
United  States  back  to  Italj^  again  in  large  numbers. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  iDassengersfrom  Italy  each  year  who 
are  willing  to  go  in  "  freight  space,"  is  a  great  incentive  to  the  various 
steamship  companies  and  railway  companies  to  compete  for  the  busi- 
ness. So  it  is  that  Italy  is  a  net  work  of  emigrant  agencies  and  influ- 
ences. Wherever  the  people  are  poor,  prolific,  landless,  and  factoryless, 
there  is  the  haymaking  of  the  steamslup  companies  and  the  emigrant 
agents,  to  carry  them  to  the  ''  land  of  high  wages." 

Italy  has  millions  of  poor  landless  workers,  who  are  willing  and 
eager  to  w^ork  in  any  part  of  the  world.  Neither  the  capitalists  nor  the 
Government  provides  them  with  labor,  as  is  provided  in  France,  Bel- 
gium, England,  and  some  other  countries  by  manufacturing  industries. 
There  is  little  prospect  for  them  and  their  large  families  in  Italy.  To 
them  the  United  States  is  painted  as  a  land  inviting  all  comers,  rich  in 
material  wealth,  rich  in  money,  and  rich  in  the  facilities  afforded  to 
laborers  to  work.  They  are  told  that  there  are  plenty  of  factories,  rail- 
ways, faxms,  mines,  quarries,  and  buildings  for  them  to  work  on  or  in. 
They  can  easily  get  their  friends  in  America  to  become  security  to  the 
Italian  so-called  banks  in  New  York  or  other  places  for  the  mere  pit- 
tance of  their  passage  money  over;  and  once  in  the  United  States  they 
manage  to  make  money  enough  to  go  and  come  at  will.  In  every  com- 
munity there  is  some  subagent  to  tell  them  the  story,  to  tell  them  where 
to  go,  how  to  manage  to  get  the  money  to  go,  and  where  to  embark. 


228    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

The  question  of  whether  or  not  scores  of  thousands  will  still  continiii 
to  go  froin  Italy  to  the  United  States  yearly,  is  the  question  of  whether 
or  not  men  will  sell  their  labor  in  the  highest  market.  While  I  did  not 
have  proof  that  those  who  Avere  going  at  the  time  I  was  in  Italy  were  going ' 
under  contract  to  labor,  at  the  same  time  the  facilities  for  having  labor 
assnred  them  when  they  got  there  is  so  great  that  I  believe  that  most 
of  them  have  an  assnrance  of  labor  being  inovided.  That  is,  they  are 
told  to  go  to  certain  places  when  they  arrive  in  Kew  York,  and  that 
there  labor  will  be  j)rovided  for  them.  They  are  the  emi)loyment  agencies 
connected  with  so-called  banks  in  Is^ew  York. 

The  Government  of  Italy,  so  far  as  I  could  learn  and  was  informed, 
neither  enconrages  nor  discourages  emigration.     Indeed,  the  Govern- 
ment in  its  orders  emj)hasizes  the  fact  that  it  is  free  except  as  to  sol- ' 
diers  owing  service.     From  the  fact  that  the  North  German  Lloyd* 
Company  have  recently  titted  up  their  steamers  to  carry  1,100  steerage- 
passengers  from  Italy,  shows  that  the  steamboat  companies  count- 
largely  upon  the  return  movement  from  the  United  States  to  Italy  to 
round  up  the  balance  of  their  profits.  ' 

I  believe  that  the  movement  from  Italy  to  the  United  States  will  not 
only  continue,  but  be  greatly  accelerated  in  the  future.     These  great'  ll 
mono])oly  agencies  in  Italy  are  doubtless  making  large  fortunes,  the;  |"* 
material  is  there  to  work  ui)on,  and  it  would  not  be  human  nature  for 
either  the  agency  or  the  steamboat  companies  to  lose  the  profits  in 
carrying  the  millions  of  workers  in  Italy  longing  for  work;  and  as  long"  ||i 
as  those  who  go  from  Italy  to  the  United  States  manage  in  some  way; 
to  find  work  in  the  United  States  at  good  wages,  so  long  will  this  move- 
ment continue.  ' 

Every  man  in  Italy  has  a  perfect  record  kept  of  him  at  the  i^lace  oi\ 
his  birth.  When  he  gets  his  passport  it  is  examined.  He  has  to  send^ 
it  withhis  application  for  a  passport.  His  police  record  is  also  examined.^ 
Certificates  from  these  records  are  in  all  matters  required  in  the  large' 
cities  of  persons  whom  employers  are  about  to  employ  as  house  servants. 
United  States  Consul-General  Boiu^ne,  at  Eome,  was  of  the  opinion* 
that  if  the  United  States  Government  required  the  police  record  alone" 
of  each  emigrant  that  that  would  shut  the  gates  against  the  ex-convicts. 

In  all  probability  neither  the  Italian  Government  nor  any  govern-' 
ment  will  take  any  measures  to  stop  their  ex-convicts,  their  paupers,  \ 
their  insane  i)eople,  or  their  idiots  or  any  other  objectionable  classes,' 
from  leaving  their  country  to  go  to  other  countries,  when  so  many  of* 
their  healthy,  strong,  and  most  desirable  people  are  continually  leaving 
their  countrj^  for  foreign  shores.  j 

The  statistics  of  Italy  show  that  there  is  a  greater  proportion  of  crime^^ 
to  the  number  of  its  people  than  in  any  other  country  in  Europe,^ 
although  the  statistics  also  show  that  this  proportion  is  being  cut  down'; 
year  by  year,  showing  that  the  struggle  of  the  Government  with  thei 
worst  classes  is  being  more  and  more  successful  each  year.    But  thei 
statistics  also  show  that  there  must  be  many  ex-convicts  mixed  up  with 
the  population,  especially  in  southern  Italy  and  Sicily,  and  it  must  be 
true  that  many  of  these  undoubtedly  go  with  other  emigrants  to  the 
United  States.     With  the  perfect  record  kept  in  Italy  of  every  person 
born  and  brought  up  there,  if  any  law  should  be  passed  requiring  con- 
sular or  other  inspection  of  individual  emigrants  near  the  homes  of  the 
intending  emigrants,  it  would  probably  be  as  easily  enforced  in  Italy 
as  in  any  other  country. 

In  my  observations  into  the  causes  of  the  large  emigration  from  Italy 
to  the  United  States,  I  was  peculiarly  struck  with  the  fact  that  in  those 


ENFORCKMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    229 

l<)calities  Avhere  tliei  e  were  necessarily  large  annual  expenditures  for 
systems  of  irrigation  that  there  were  very  little  separate  holdings 
by  the  country  people  and  farmers,  and  that  emigratioji  was  very  free 
from  those  districts;  and  that  as  the  United  States  and  the  several 
States  are  about  making  large  appropriations  in  the  arid  districts  of 
the  United  States  for  irrigation  purposes,  that  now  is  the  time  to  dis- 
cuss the  subject  of  the  future  protection  of  the  small  holders  in  all  this 
region  of  country;  that  where  Congress  makes  appropriations  for  irri- 
gation, or  where  the  States  or  Territories  make  the  same  appropria- 
tions, that  the  prices  and  distribution  of  water  and  the  repairs  of  irri- 
gating ditches  should  be  placed  under  State  or  municipal  control  for 
the  future  protection  of  the  owners  of  small  plats  of  land.  Otherwise 
all  tracts  of  land  within  irrigated  districts  must  sooner  or  later  fall  to 
either  wealthy  families  or  wealthy  corporations,  as  the  land  will  be  en- 
tirely controlled  by  the  x)rice  or  the  distribution  of  water  or  the  neces- 
sary repairs  upon  the  ditches  and  streams  furnishing  the  same.  In  my 
studies  in  Italy  on  this  emigration  subject  this  became  one  of  the  com- 
monest side  issues  presented  to  my  mind. 

As  an  ilJustration  of  how  the  territory  is  covered  from  the  northern 
seaports  of  France,  Belgium,  Holland,  and  Germany,  by  the  various 
steamboat  lines  from  Havre,  Bologne,  Antwerp,  Eotterdam,  Amster- 
dam, Bremen,  and  Hamburg,  I  forward  Schedule  C,  in  the  German 
language,  whicli  is  a  book  issued  ostensibly  by  the  Red  Star  Steam- 
boat Line,  showing  that  the  easiest,  cheapest,  and  best  way  to  reach  the 
United  States  from  Germany,  Austria,  Italy,  Switzerland,  Holland, 
r>elgium,  and  France  is  by  the  Red  Star  Line  from  Antwerp  to  New 
York,  and  the  map  in  the  fore  part  of  the  book  gives  the  railway  con- 
nections over  all  this  territory  down  as  far  as  Reggio  in  the  extreme 
soutli  of  Italy;  and  with  the  office  of  the  steamboats  and  the  steam- 
boat agents  of  all  the  lines  running  from  all  these  northern  ports  to 
Kew  York  also  covering  the  same  field,  as  well  as  all  of  the  five  steam- 
boat lines,  which  I  have  above  referred  to,  covering  the  fields  from  the 
Mediterranean  ports,  you  can  gain  a  very  accurate  idea  of  what  the 
competition  is  for  passengers  among  all  the  steamboat  lines  all  over 
the  countries  visited  by  me.  This  book  also  contains  very  interesting 
uiformatiou  on  the  subject  of  the  United  States  as  a  place  to  which  to 
emigrate.  Tliis  book  was  handed  to  me  by  a  clerk  in  the  steamboat 
oflice  of  Louis  Klein,  in  Berne,  Switzerland.  I  also  transmit  the  laws, 
regulations,  and  rules  relating  to  emigration  in  Italy,  which  were  pro- 
cured for  me  from  the  minister  of  the  interior  at  Rome,  by  the  courtesy 
of  tlie  acting  United  States  minister,  Hon.  H.  Remsen  Whitehouse. 
These  laws  state  definitely  that  emigration  shall  be  free  to  all  subjects 
of  Italy,  with  the  exception  of  soldiers  owing  service,  who  can  not  leave 
without  permission  of  the  Government.  Passports  are  required  from 
all  emigrants  from  Italy,  who  leave  by  sea.  All  agents  and  subagents 
must  be  licensed  by  the  Government,  and  the  agents  must  deposit  from 
00,000  to  100,000  francs  in  Government  bonds  for  security  of  the  proper 
treatment  of  emigrants  to  the  place  of  tlieir  destination. 

These  rules  and  regulations  are  very  strict  in  the  interest  of  the  emi- 
grants, and  hold  the  agents  to  a  strict  responsibility  to  the  Government 
in  every  respect.  It  Avill  be  observed  that  the  agent  must  inquire  of 
the  emigrant  if  he  has  sufficient  means  to  take  him  to  the  place  of  des- 
tination, but  can  not  inquire  further  of  the  emigrant;  and  the  agent 
can  not  (iharge  any  fee  for  obtaining  the  passport  nor  for  making  con- 
tracts of  passage,  and  can  only  charge  the  exact  amount  that  may  be 


230    ENFOECEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


^ 


paid  out.    Tlie  officers  of  tlie  law  are  cliarged  to  be  alert  and  on  the 
watch  to  see  that  emigrants  are  protected  in  every  respect. 

It  is  a  notable  fact  that  the  Italian  Government,  while  declaring  that 
the  emigration  of  its  subjects  is  free  from  Italy,  with  the  exception  ol 
the  soldiers  and  those,  of  course,  in  prison,  yet  requires  everyone  of  the; 
150,000  or  more  who  emigrate  from  Italy  every  year,  especially  those 
who  go  by  sea,  to  procure  their  civil  record  and  their  criminal  record  i 
and  send  the  same  to  the  proper  officers  to  obtain  a  passport;  and  thati  H^ 
the  proper  officers  are  required  to  exauiine  the  same,  together  with  then 
contracts  of  passage  and  tickets,  at  the  port  of  shipping  and  after  they 
are  aboard  the  steam shii). 

All  this  is  required  of  every  individual  who  leaves  Italy  as  an  emi- 
grant; but  the  United  States,  receiving  them  either  as  denizens  or  as 
future  citizens,  requires  them  to  produce  neither  their  civil  nor  theiij 
criminal  record.  ! 

The  following  extracts  show  what  the  Government  of  Italy  has  toj 
contend  with  iu  its  present  struggle  to  keep  down  the  tendency  of  the' 
people  in  the  south  of  Italy  to  be  lawless,  and  to  carry  out  in  then 
own  way  their  ideas  that  the  rich  should  support  the  poor,  through 
force,  theft,  robbery,  and  murder  if  need  be,  I  call  your  attention  to 
two  articles  appearing  in  Italian  papers  during  the  year  1891,  of  whicli! 
I  procured  translations  while  in  Italy.  One  is  from  the  Illustrated: 
Italian,  published  at  Milan,  May  17,  1891.  This  article  was  called  out; 
by  the  trial  of  the  members  of  the  Mala  Vita  Society  of  Bari,  Italy. 
The  article  starts  out  as  follows: 

The  Camorra  of  Naples  and  the  Mafia  of  Sicily  exist  in  Apulia  (Adriatic  provinces 
of  Soutliern  Italy)  nuder  the  name  of  Mala  Vita,  or  "Evil  Life."  It  is  au  ori^anized 
association  with  iron  rules.  Its  object  is  theft,  robbery,  blackmailing,  highway  rob-; 
bery,  and  assassination. 

Then  follows  a  full  description  of  its  objects,  its  initiation  ceremonies.' 
and  the  duties  and  requirements  of  its  officers  and  members,  and  gives 
names  and  incidents  concerning  the  society.  , 

The  other  article  is  from  II  Massagero,  published  at  Eome,  in  August 
1891.     This  document  states  as  follows: 

THE  STATUTE  OF  THE  INFAME  LEGGE. — INTERESTING  REVELATIONS  CONCERNING, 

THE  RITES  OF  THE  ORDER. 

•   i 

There  has  been  written  from  Andria  to  the  newly  published  newspaper  II  Meridi-      ^ 
onale,  at  Bari,  the  following  facts:  \    ^  " 

*'  The  readers  will  recollect  the  arresting  here  of  many  members  of  the  association, ;    ijl 
whose  object  was  crime,  known  nnder  the  name   of  Infame  Legge  (infamous  law).'      i 
The  searcbiugs  and  investigations  made  bj^  Marshal  Margiotta^  of  the  Royal  Cara-i 
biniers,  after  working  long  and  making  a  fruitless  investigation  in  the  valley  of  St. 
Margaret,  suspected  as  being  one  of  the  reunion  places  of  the  delinquents.     There 
came  to  this  city  Captain  Pietro  Scaglione,  and  in  accord  with  Marshal  Margiotta, 
there  was  operated  such  an  accurate  investigation  in  a  barn  used  as  a  depository  foi      ij. 
old  barrels  that  had  been  used  for  refuse  water,  under  the  direction  of  Cyaltina  Am-      ;•: 
brogio,  head  of  the  Infame  Legge,  now  under  arrest,  that  after  five  hours  of  work      i' 
and  search  there  was  discovered  in  au  old  barrel  the  statute  and  two  lists  of  the      ;f 
members.'' 

Then  follows  the  statute  of  the  society  of  the  law  between  blackmailers]  •  ( 
(Oammanoti)  and  novices  (Piciotti).  i    , 

All  of  which  shows  the  infamy  of  these  societies  and  of  the  difficulty 
under  which  the  Government  labors  in  breaking  them  up,  on  account 
of  their  secrecy  and  of  the  terrible  punishment  inflicted  upon  any  per-,|  jj^ 
son  giving  information  regarding  them. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


231 


I  desire  also  to  call  your  attention  to  the  efforts  of  ^ronsignor  Gio. 
Batt.  Scalabriui,  Bishop  of  Piacenza,  in  establishing-  societies  in  Italy 
and  the  United  States  and  in  South  America  for  the  protection  of 
Italian  emigrants  to  other  countries,  in  which,  in  the  table  on  page  12, 
taken  from  the  statistics  of  the  ^linister  of  Agriculture,  Industry,  and 
(Jominerce  of  Italy,  regarding  Italian  emigration,  is  given  both  the  per- 
manent and  the  temporary  emigrants  for  each  year  from  187G  to  188G, 
inclusive.  One  singular  feature  of  Italian  emigration  is  brought  out. 
The  table  is  as  follows: 


^S" 

Tempo- 
rary. 

Total. 

Year. 

nent.    .    rary.       ^otaL 

1876                19  756 

89, 015 
78. 12G 
77, 733 
79,  007 
81, 967 
94, 225 

108,  771 
99.  213 
96,268 
119,  831 
119,  901 
135,832 

1882     

65  748       95  814     16''  562 

1877     •- 2I.C87 

1883 

68. 416     100. 685     169  101 

1878 1  18,  5:i5 

1884 

58.  049       88.  968      147, 017 

1879             40  824 

j  1885  

77,029       80,164     157,193 
84,352       83,053     167,377 

1 
1 

188) 37,934 

,  1886 

1881 :  41,807 

1 

1 

Emigrants  for  the  years  1876  to  1S86. 


1876 19,610 

J  1877 21.069 

\   1878 18,043 

1879 37,075 

1S80 33,080 


1881 40,871 

1882 59,665 

188:3 63,388 

1884, 55,467 

1885 72, 490 


This  table  shows  that  on  an  average  far  more  than  one-half  of  the 
emigrants  from  Italy  during  the  years  named  were  temj^orary  emi- 
grants. These  possibly  may  include  those  who  took  out  passports  for 
one  year  only,  which  is  the  custom  of  very  many  who  go  from  ]S"orth 
Italy  to  the  adjoining  states  to  seek  work;  but  as  it  is  a  habit  of  the 
people,  it  may  be  taken  for  certain  that  the  same  habit  extends  to  those 
who  come  from  Italy  to  the  United  States,  althougb  i^robably  the  tend- 
ency after  a  few  years'  residence  in  the  United  States  will  be  for  the 
temporary  emigrants,  who  are  mostly  men,  to  finally  send  for  their  fam- 
iUes. 

On  page  15  of  the  same  number  is  given  the  number  of  emigrants 
who  went  to  the  United  States  from  Italy  from  1876  to  1885,  both  in- 
clusive. Tliis  table  shows  that  in  1876  emigration  commenced  with 
about  20.000  to  the  United  States,  and  in  1885  it  had  grown  to  over 
72,000 ;  and  if  the  Italian  Government  has  kept  a  record  of  the  intention 
of  the  emigrants  as  to  whether  they  were  going  permanently  or  only 
temporarily,  and  has  kept  them  separate  as  to  the  emigrants  going  to 
the  United  States,  then  those  records  would  be  tbe  only  recorcls  evi- 
dence of  the  proportions  of  the  Italian  emigrants  to  the  United  States 
who  come  here  for  the  purpose  only  of  earning  money  and  taking  them- 
selves and  their  money  back  to  Italy,  or  whether  they  come  here  with 
the  pur])Ose  of  becoming  permanent  citizens,  although  they  do  not  at 
iiirst  bring  their  families  with  them. 

I  transmit  a  document  concerning  the  Society  of  San  Eaffaele, 
which  is  a  society  with  headquarters  in  Xew  York  for  the  purpose,  as 
it  states,  of  keeping  the  Italian  emigrants  from  falling  into  the  hands 
of  dishonest  people  in  Xew  York,  to  secure  employment  or  work  for 
them  as  long  as  possible,  to  minister  to  their  spiritual  wants,  and  to 
procure  houses  for  the  lodgment  of  poor  emigrants,  and  particularly  of 
boys  and  girls  under  age.  This  society  is  in  close  relation  with  an 
analogous  Italian  society  for  the  protection  of  Italian  emigrants,  which 


1 1.  - 


232    ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

was  biought  about  by  the  labors  of  Morisiguor  Gio.  Batt.  Scalabriui 
above  mentioned,  wLicli  society  in  Italy,  in  its  notice  of  its  objects,  state, 
as  follows: 

AVithin  the  last  few  mouths  Italy  has  furnished  to  the  Uuited  States  a  number  o 
emigrants  considerably  greater  than  any  other  single  European  country.     Peopl 
believe  that  the  United  States  is  a  promised  land,  and  that  nothing  more  than  goiuj 
thitlier  is  necessary  in  order  to  become  not  only  well-to-do  but  even  rich.    It  is  there 
f(u-e  deemed  advisable  to  call   attention  to   the  fact   that  the  nnniber  of  those  wh- 
sncceed  in  acquiring  wealth  is  exceedingly  small  in  comparison  Avith  the  number  o 
those  who  are  doomed  to  disappointment.     It  may  be  to  the  advantage  of  some  t 
settle  in  America;  for  others,  the  better  course  is  to  patiently  bear  the  burdens 
poverty  in  their  own  country  rather  than  run  the  almost  certain  chance  of  a  grea 
misery  in  the  United  States.     For  those,  however,  who  decide  to  emigrate  to  No 
America,  the  tbllowing  points  of  advice  are  published: 

(1)  At  present  the  United  States  insists  upon  a  more  strict  enforcement  of 
provisions  of  law  which  prohibit  the  landing  of  emigrants  who,  by  reason  of  an 
physical  or  moral  disability,  are  not  (or  may  soon  cease  to  be)  able  to  earn  a  liveli 
hood.     Therefore,  the  aged,  the  maimed,  the  blind,  the  deaf-mute,  and  all  person 
attected  with  contagious  diseases,  insanity,  or  other  iutirmity,  are  excluded. 

(2)  Likewise,  emigrants  having  undergone  penal  imprisonment,  or  having  thei 
passage  paid  bj^  others,  or  even  having  incurred  an  indebtedness  subject  to  repay 
nient  by  means  of  a  determined  labor,  or  under  ohlujations  to  work  for  a  given  time,  ax 
sent  back. 

(5)  An  emigrant  intending  to  go  beyond  New  York  will  be  enabled  to  procure  hi' 
railroad  ticket,  to  exchange  his  money,  to  write  his  letters,  send  off  telegrams,  i)ui 
ehase  provisions  and  other  necessaries,  without  going  out  of  the  establishment  callei 
''The  Barge  Office."  It  is  therefore  strongly  recommended  that  the  emigrant  shoult, 
resist  the  temptation  of  curiosity  and  not  enter  the  city  without  safe  direction,  h 
case  an  emigrant  has  business  Avith  any  bank  in  the  city,  a  representative  of  th 

Society  of  San  Raffeele  will  accompany  him  to  such  bank. 

******* 

(9)  An  emigrant  needing  information  or  advice  should  apply  to  a  person  in  tli 
Barge  Ofitice  wearing  on  his  coat  a  silver  cross.  This  will  be  a  missionary  of  Mon 
signor  Scalabrini,  having  authority  to  be  present  at  the  landing  and  in  the  offic 
for  immigrants,  for  iimnedisite  assistance  to  Italians  on  their  arrival  in  America.       ' 

(10)  In  order  to  guard  the  emigrants  from  any  necessity  of  running  around  thj 
city  of  New  York  and  exposing  himself  to  serious  danger,  the  above-named  societj 
has  established  a  bureau  of  labor.  Let  the  emigrant  apply  to  that  bureau  and  h<! 
will  be  certain  to  obtain  gratuitously  the  best  information  and  advice  and  alwayij 
employment.  ■ 

(11)  An  emigrant  desiring  to  remain  a  good  Christian  should  obtain  from  the  mis' 
sionary  at  the  Barge  Office  the  address  of  the  Catholic  Italian  priest  at  the  place  c 
destination.  < 

It  will  be  observed  that  among  these  objects  is  to  keep  the  intending 
emigTants  out  of  the  hands  of  designing  emigrant  agents  in  Italy,  wh^ 
coax  them  away  for  gain  to  go  to  places  which  the  emigrant  agents  kuoV; 
nothing  abont,  and  also  to  give  intending  emigrants  correct  informal 
tion  i^i  regard  to  countries  to  which  they  desire  to  go.  And  an  appeaj 
by  Monsignor  Scalabrina  really  to  the  Government  of  Italy,  complaineci 
that  emigrant  agents  often  coax  3,000,  5,000,  or  10,000  poor  emigrant | 
to  go  to  countries  Avhere  they  will  go  to  their  death ;  the  agent  not  bein^j 
obliged  to  know  anything  about  the  country  to  which  they  go,  whethe 
it  is  unhealthy  or  not,  while  in  Switzerland  the  agents  must  inforD; 
themselves  as  to  the  prospects  and  climatic  influences  of  the  districti 
where  an  intending  emigrant  desires  to  go.  He  quotes  from  the  testij 
mony  before  the  American  Congressional  Committee  on  Emigratioi 
Avhere  Cavalier  Monaco,  vice-consul  of  Italy  at  New  York,  claimed  t< 
the  Congressional  committee  that  his  countrymen  were  subject  to  th'j 
shameless  speculation  of  tlie  agents,  both  in  Italy  as  well  as  the  Unitet  | 
States,  on  their  arrival. 

Third.  That  it  was  shown  before  this  American  Congressional  comj 
mittee  that  Italian  immigration  was  greatly  stimulated  by  the  efibrtj 


i 


ENFOBCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    233 

of  agents  who  advauced  the  passage  money  at  great  i)rofit;  and  that  it 
jis  for  their  interest  to  turn  their  capital  and  accrne  profits  as  often  as 
.|)0ssible. 

Fonrth.  He  q notes  from  the  testimony  of  Italians  before  this  com- 
mittee tliat  agents  had  often  charged  them  250  francs  for  a  passage 
from  Naples  to  New  York,  where  the  steamboat  companies  only 
icharged  the  agents  115  francs. 

'  Fifth.  He  also  qnotes  from  the  report  of  the  committee  and  confirmed 
the  same  from  his  own  knowledge,  that  in  all  parts  of  Enrope,  bnt  es- 
pecially in  Germany,  Hungary,  and  Italy  there  are  located  subagents 
who  inveigle  the  villagers  and  common  people  by  means  of  false  i^rom- 
ises  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States;  and  that  the  emigrants  have  not 
found  on  arrival  that  there  was  either  work  or  prospect  of  work  for 
them. 

vSixth.  He  speaks  of  a  notice  in  the  Piacenza  Courier  of  August  5,  of 
an  anonymous  company  composed  of  foreigners  and  Italians  which  was 
^eing  formed  to  manii)ulate  a  colossal  emigration  to  Brazil,  against 
jwhich  the  papers  warned  the  people,  as  the  emigrants  would  be  com- 
•|)elk'd  in  Brazil  to  take  the  places  left  by  emancipated  slaves. 

But  if  foreign  and  Italian  capitalists  would  organize  such  a  scheme 
jfor  Brazil  or  any  other  South  or  Central  American  countries,  they 
jwould  as  readily  organize  snch  companies  to  send  emigrants  to  the 
jUnited  States  for  the  profit  that  would  accrue  to  them  in  manipulating 
The  machinery  which  would  control  the  expense  of  the  passage  to  and 
fro. 

In  conclusion,  Monsignor  Scalabrini  appeals  to  the  wisdom  of  legisla- 
tive experience  of  nations  which  have  had  greater  experience  than 
ttaly,  wliich  surrounds  the  works  of  the  emigrant  agents  with  greater 
Weguards  than  does  Italy.  He  then  quotes  from  the  laws  of  the  va- 
irious  countries  to  show  that  most  countries  provide  for  the  protection 
bf  emigrants  and  from  the  influence  of  designing  agents  to  induce 
mem  to  leave  their  own  countries  for  foreign  lands.     He  says: 

First.  That  in  England  the  permission  to  enroll  emigrants  is  given 
for  one  year  only,  besides  security  of  £1,000  with  two  good  securities. 
Second.  France,  that  the  license  of  emigration  agents  can  be  can- 
celed in  the  discretion  of  the  ministry. 

Tliird.  That  i';  Spain,  the  authority  to  be  granted  at  the  time  limits 
the  number  of  enroUers  and  places  of  enrollment,  and  requires  for 
each  individual  contract  the  proof  of  competent  authority. 

P'ifth.  In  Switzerland  the  Federal  Council  has  the  power  to  stop  col- 
jiiiziug  enterprises  which  seem  to  be  dangerous  to  the  emigrant,  and 
to  cancel  the  licenses  of  emigration  agents  in  unadvisable  emigration 
schemes. 

Sixth.  In  Prussia,  government  has  the  power  to  prevent  the  depar- 
ure  of  emigrants  already  enrolled  without  giving  any  reason. 

Seventh.  In  Austro-Hungary  they  punish  by  fine  and  imprisonment 
he  acts  of  agents  in  inducing  emigrants,  even  if  the  act  be  nothing 
nit  the  distribution  of  advertisements  praising  the  countries  to  which 
liey  seek  to  have  emigrants  go. 

Monsignor  Scalabrini  then  referred  to  the  remarks  of  Hon.  D.  E. 
'^erbi,  on  the  liberality  of  Italian  laws  regarding  emigration,  which  he 
idmits,  but  says  the  function  of  law  is  not  so  much  to  be  liberal  as  to 
)e  good;  the  good  law  is  not  the  least  liberal,  but  that  which  is  based 
'n  justice  and  provides  best  for  what  it  is  designed  to  meet.  The  pro- 
)Osed  law  granting  to  agents  the  right  to  enroll  emigrants  will  be  lib- 


1 


234    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

era!  but  improvident,  he  claims.  He  then  goes  on  to  assail  freedom  of 
emigration.  He  then  pleads  for  a  good  Italian  law  to  reduce  the  power 
of  emigration  agents  for  harm;  and  he  then  claims  that  no  law  regu- 
latiDg  emigration  could  go  far  enough;  and  that  therefore  he  is  organ- 
izing the  society  throughout  Italy  above  referred  to. 

I  "may  add  that  doubtless  since  the  appeal  made  by  Monsiguor! 
Scalabriui  to  the  Italian  authorities  that  many  laws  and  rules  Lave 
been  adopted  (that  is,  since  1888)  for  the  protection  of  emigrants;  but 
from  the  great  number  of  emigration  agents  in  the  United  States  and' 
in  Italy  connected  with  so  many  so-called  Italian  banks  of  New  York, 
it  must  be  plain  that  many  of  the  evils  in  regard  to  Italian  emigration 
to  the  United  States  still  exist  both  in  Italy  and  in  the  United  States. 

GREAT  BRITAIN. 

At  your  request,  for  the  purpose  of  assisting  United  States  Attorney 
Jolly,  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  to  get  the  testimony  iu  important  Govern-^ 
ment  cases  pending  at  Louisville,  regarding  contract  labor,  I  returued^ 
to  Great  Britain  and  proceeded  to  Glasgow  to  get  this  testimony.     On^i 
my  way  I  made  further  investigations  in  several  of  the  cities  of  Greatjj 
Britain  and  obtained  more  information  regarding  the  exportation  oh 
convicts  under  surveillance  from  Great  Britain  to  the  United  States,^ 
and  while  in   Glasgow  I  received  much  confirmatory  information  re- 
garding the  movements  of  great  numbers  of  Jewish  emigrants  from; 
Eussia,  who  come  across  to  Leith  in  Scotland,  thence  to  Glasgow,  andj 
thence  to  the  United  States,  through  United  States  Consul  L.  W. 
Brown,   who  had  himself  made   many  investigations  throughout  th€ 
boarding  houses  in  Scotland  during  the  past  spring  and  summer  ir 
reference  to  this  class  of  emigrants. 

Mr.  Brown  informed  me  that  on  his  recent  return  from  the  United 
States  in   the  City  of  Borne  that  there  were  very  many  workmen. 
mas(ms  and  others,  who  were  returning  from  a  seascm's  work  in  the 
United  States.     He  informed  me  that  many  of  them  landed  at  London 
derry  and  a  great  many  others  at  Glasgow.     He  also  informed  me  o: 
what  I  had  not  learned  anywhere  else  in  Great  Britain,  and  that  was^ 
that  in  1890,  on  his  return  from  a  leave  of  absence  to  the  United  States.) 
there  were  returning  on  the  same  boat  on  which  he  crossed  the  Atlanl 
tic  late  in  the  fall  a  great  many  sailors  who  had  gone  from  the  seaportel 
of  Great  Britain  to  the  Great  Lakes  in  the  United  States  and  had  beer 
engaged  as  sailors  on  sailing  craft  on  the  lakes  during  the  sailing  sea' 
son  of  1890.     So  that  while  it  is  common  for  the  people  of  the  United 
States  to  claim  that  we  have  merchant  mariners  on  the  Great  Lakei 
Avhich  would  be  available  on  the  ocean  in  case  of  war,  yet  we  find  oi| 
the  information  of  Consul  Brown  that  even  the  sailors  of  a  forei^ 
country  find  it  profitable  to  come  to  this  country  to  take  the  place 
American  seamen  on  the  Great  Lakes  during  the  season  of  navigati< 
thereon. 

I  desire  here  to  state  that  on  my  way  to  Glasgow  from  the  continen]    £ 
that  I  visited  the  offices  of  many  benovolent  societies  in  London  fo;     m 
the  purpose  of  getting  their  reports.    At  one,  a  society  lor  the  assist]    St- 
ance of  indigent  foreigners  at  ]S'o.  — ,  Broad  street  avenue,  Londoni    - 
E.  C,  I  applied  to  the  secretary  for  his  last  report.     He  informed  m«' 
quite  positively  that  their  reports  ic ere  for  tliciv  x)atrons  only;  but  pro 
cured  for  me  a  few  little  leaflets,  which  only  gave  general  informatioD!|    - 
One  gives  the  numbers  assisted  by  payment  of  passages.  . 


1$ 


L. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    235 

I  may  say  that  Commissioner  Schulteis  had  told  me  in  July  that  he 
had  procured,  under  the  disguise  of  a  pauper,  a  recommendation  from 
one  of  the  agents  of  this  company  for  assistance  to  be  sent  to  the 
United  States;  and  when  I  informed  him  they  had  refused  me  their 
report,  he  immediately  told  me  that  he  should  go  before  the  board, 
which  met  within  a  few  days,  as  a  pauj^er,  and  attempt  to  get  aid  to  be 
seut  to  the  United  States.  And  it  is  but  fair  to  Commissioner  Schulteis 
to  say  that  in  July  he  pointed  out  the  office  of  this  society  to  me,  as 
,  being  the  society  to  the  board  of  which  he  had  the  letter  of  recom- 
j  mendation  above  referred  to,  and  then  desired  me  to  apply  for  their 
report  which  I  did  as  above  related  on  my  return  from  the  continent 
ill  October. 

I  was  informed  by  Dr.  J.  F.  Ryder,  of  Glasgow,  the  United  States 
veterinary  inspector  under  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry,  Dei)art- 
ment  of  Agriculture  of  the  United  States,  that  the  steamer  Siberian 
\  brought  from  the  United  States  to  Glasgow  594  head  of  cattle,  and  imme- 
diately titled  up  the  space  used  for  cattle,  to  carry  emigrants  back  to 
the  United  States  on  October  30;  that  the  steamer  i7iie>'?u'rt»,  about 
I  the  same  time,  bronght  in  41)0  head  of  cattle,  and  immediately  fitted  up 
;  to  carry  passengers  back  to  the  United  States  in  the  place  where  the 
i  cattle  had  been  brought,  and  sailed  for  the  United  States  on  October 
'29;  and  that  the  steamer  Scandinavian  brought  to  Glasgow  from  the 
United  States  490  head  of  cattle,  and  immediately  fitted  up  the  space 
J  occupied  by  the  cattle  for  emigrants,  and  returned  to  the  United  States 
jwith  large  numbers  of  sieerage  passengers.     Dr.  Ryder  said  that  he 
I  could  not  say  that  it  would  be  unhealthy  to  the  emigrants  to  carry 
jtheminthe  ships  in  the  same  space  in  which  the  cattle  had  been 
hronght  from  the  United  States  to  Great  Britain.     I  only  mentioned  it 
here,  as  one  feature  of  the  profits  accruing  to  the  traffic  lines  between 
(ircat  Britain  and  the  United  States. 

RESUME. 

Asa  resume  of  the  above  facts  and  as  conclusions,  as  requested  by 
you  in  your  letter  of  instrm.'tions  : 

First.  CoiH'erning  your  in(iuiry  "as  to  the  principal  causes  which 
operate  in  the  several  countries  of  Europe  to  incite  emigration  to  the 
United  States"— 

,  Under  this  instruction  my  investigations  lead  me  to  the  conclusion 
that  in  the  countries  visited  by  me  that  generally  emigrants  from  Eu- 
Tope  to  the  United  States  are  drawn  very  largely,  at  least  nine- tenths 
«)f  them,  from  country  districts  where  labor  is  scarce,  where  labor  is 
jpoorly  paid,  and  where  laborers  are  generally  poor  and  have  not  and 
call  not  expect  to  acquire  at  or  near  their  old  homes  real  estate  for 
tlieniselves  or  their  children. 

My  observations  have  shown  me  conclusively  that  the  great  mass  of 
our  (Mnigiants  from  the  countries  visited  by  me  and  in  other  countries, 
^0  far  as  I  could  learn  by  inquiry,  came  from  those  regions  of  country 
^vhere  manufacturing  industries  are  at  a  very  low  ebb,  and  are  neither 
<'!icour;iged,  built  ux),  nor  developed  by  either  government  encourage- 
iiUMit  or  th(i  wisdom  of  capitalists,  or  by  the  enterprise  and  push  of  the 
lH3oplc  themselves. 

A  good  illustration  is  afforded  by  Great  Britain  and  Ireland.  Great 
''ritnin,  with  35,000,000  of  people,  teeming  with  thousands  of  manu- 
facturing plants  and  hundreds  of  manufacturing  cities  and  towns, 
-iffording  millions  of  its  people  employment  either  through  manu- 


236    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

c 

factures  or  commerce,  sends  but  30,000  emigrants  to  the  United  States 
per  year,  wliile  Ireland,  with  less  than  4,000,000  of  people,  with  few  \ 
manufacturing  industries,  except  in  Belfast  and  Londonderry,  sends 
out  with  very  little  general  foreign  shipping  compared  to  that  of 
Great  Britain,  to  the  United  States  an  average  of  35,000  emigrants 
each  year. 

France,  with  about  35,000,000  of  population,  and  Belgium  with ; 
about  6,000,000  of  population,  together  with  more  than  40,000,000  of 
])opulation,  both  filled  with  manufacturing  industries  encouraged  by 
their  respective  governments,  theu'  capitalists,  and  their  enterprising 
and  industrious  people,  send  to  the  United  States  annually  less  than 
8,000  emigrants. 

Italy,  with  about  30,000,000  of  people,  with  no  general  spirit  of  man- 
ufacturing industries,  except  in  the  north  of  Italy,  where  silk  man- 
ufactories, lace  manufactories,  glass  manufactories,  and  some  other  in- 
dustries flourish,  sends  to  the  United  States  annually  70,000  emigrants; 
and  as  between  north  Italy,  where  manufacturing  industries  are  to 
some  extent  promoted,  and  south  Italy,  where  there  is  very  little  man- 
ufacturing energy,  south  Italy  and  Sicily  sends  to  the  United  States 
about  50,000  emigrants  by  sea  alone,  besides  some  thousands  by  railroad 
and  sea  througli  northern  i)orts;  and  north  and  central  Italy  about 
20,000.  This  same  relation  will  be  found  to  hold  true  in  all  probability 
thrcmgliout  all  Europe  which  I  visited. 

Tiierelore,  with  overpopulation,  with  the  regions  of  country  where 
the   prii'.cipal    i)rodnctions    are    agricultural   products   (which  under 
ordinary  circumstances  will  only  furnish  a  certain  amount  of  labor, ' 
which  long  ago  has  reached  its  limit),  with  the  proverbially  large  fam- 1 
ilies  in  all  agricultural  districts  throughout  Europe,  and  the  scarcity  of ! 
employment  for  the  peoi^le,  emigration  becomes  a  necessity. 

With  this  state  of  aftairs,  with  millions  of  people  in  the  United  States ' 
who  have  already  gone  from  every  household  and  hamlet  in  Europe; 
with  the  letters  and  the  general  spread  of  information  in  regard  to  the; 
well-doing  of  the  emigrants  who  have  preceded;  with  the  streams  of 
money  wliich  return  to  the  old  country  from  the  dutiful  sons  and  daugh- 1 
ters  of  toil  who  have  left  Europe  for  the  expanding  cities  and  towns, 
and  farms  and  factories  of  the  United  States.     With  all  these  iuflu-j 
ences,  Avhich  have  been  constantly  at  work  for  the  past  fifty  years,  can 
it  be  wondered  that  there  is  continually  in  every  country  in  Europe, 
where  manufacturing  industries  do  not  provide  labor  for  the  surplus" 
population  from  the  country  districts,  a  field  ripe  for  emigation  agentsj 
and  emigration  influences. 

It  is  but  natural  that  the  capitalists  of  Europe,  or  far-seeing,  shrewd" 
men  of  business,  calculating  on  these  ever-fascinating  influences  in  or 
from  America,  and  these  ever-increasing  populations  of  Europe,  con-j 
Stan tly  reading  about,  studying  concerning,  and  discussing  the  subject i 
of  going  to  the  United  States,  should  organize  the  wonderfully  com- ' 
plete  and  competitive  methods  now  offered  to  the  emigrants  from  every 
portion  of  Europe  named  above,  to  so  easily  and  cheaply  reach  the,  toj 
them,  rich  fields  of  labor  in  the  United  States. 

Second.  The  extent  to  which  the  movement  is  promoted  or  stimulated! 
by  steamship  or  other  carrying  companies  or  their  agents,  for  the  re -! 
suiting  passenger  business?  ! 

While  I  believe  the  people  in  all  the  countries  of  Europe  have  beer 
prepared  principally  by  reports  from  friends  who  have  gone  before, 
and  the  general  knowledge  throughout  Europe  of  the  well-doing  of  th€, 
laboring  classes  in  the  United  States,  yet  there  is  no  doubt  that  the' 


ENFORCEIVIENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS.  237 

organization  of  the  steamboat  agencies  throughout  Europe,  which  I 
visited,  greatly  facilitate  and  make  easy  emigration  to  the  United 
States:  And  ^yhile  I  can  not  say  that  the  steamboat  companies  use 
unfair  or  undue  iuHuences,  yet  there  is  no  doubt  to  my  mind  that  to 
some  extent  in  all  countries  visited  by  me,  and  to  a  very  large  extent 
'in  Italy,  is  emigration  incited  to  the  United  States  by  tlie  competitive 
efforts  of  steamboat  agents,  who  are  everywhere  and  at  all  times  ex- 
ceedingly active. 

In  stating  this,  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  the  general  agents  through- 
out Eiuope,  for  the  last  few  months,  have  not  had  an  honest  desire  to 
harmonize  their  business  and  discipline  their  agents  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  bring  themselves  and  all  their  agents  within  the  rules  contained 
in  the  Unired  States  laws  in  reference  to  selling  tickets  to  objectionable 
(■migrants  to  the  United  States.  So  far  as  I  had  the  assurances  from 
the  steiimboat  owners  and  the  general  agents  of  the  same,  their  assur- 
ances were  i)ositive  that  they  not  only  desired  to,  but  were  honestly 
endeavoring  to  conduct  their  business  in  a  manner  harmonious  with 
the  laws  of  the  United  States,  which,  they  argue,  is  also  very  greatly  to 
their  own  interests.  But  their  business  energy  and  competition  greatly 
stimulates  unobjectionable  classes  and  classes  not  precluded  by  law.  I 
know  that  in  the  ^Northwestern  States  of  the  United  States,  tickets  from 
England  and  Korway  to  those  States  are  sold  on  six  months'  to  one 
year's  time,  to  friends  of  intending  emigrants. 

Third.  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  encouraged  openly 
or  covertly  for  exportation  to  the  United  States  through  agencies,  and 
for  what  classes  of  employment? 

I  have  in  my  report  above  detailed  instances  of  individual  efforts  at 
securing  laborers  by  employers  in  the  United  States.  I  can  not  say  that 
in  my  investigations  I  was  successful  in  finding  very  many  cases,  nor 
cases  where  large  numbers  were  openly  employed;  yet  I  believe  that 
tliere  is  going  on  all  the  time  individual  cases  of  emi^loyers  in  the  United 
States  encouraging  people  returning  to  Europe  to  bring  out  operatives 
or  laborers,  and  of  those  operatives  or  laborers  already  in  the  United 
States  securing  places  for  their  friends  in  Europe  before  they  emigrate. 
And  I  am  constrained  to  believe  that  through  the  many  Italian  emi)loy- 
inent  agencies  and  so-called  banks  in  IS'ew  York  City  and  other  places, 
that  many  thousands  of  the  Italians  who  come  to  this  country  yearly 
are  well  assured  that  on  their  arrival  at  ^ew  York  employment  Avill  be 
found  for  them. 

Fourth.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and 
other  defectives,  paupers,  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge, 
and  persons  affected  with  loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious  diseases, 
are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  in  violation 
of  our  laws;  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement  is  furnished  sys- 
tematically or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  commit- 
tees, or  Government  authorities? 

I  did  not  anywhere  learn  that  insane  persons,  idiots,  or  other  defect- 
ives were  assisted  to  go  or  sent  to  the  United  States,  either  by  rela- 
tives, societies,  committees,  or  Government  authorities.  It  is  possible 
that  it  may  be  done,  but  I  nowhere  found  evidences  of  it. 

There  is  no  doubt,  so  far  as  paupers  are  concerned,  that  the  laws  of 
both  England  and  Ireland,  as  above  shown,  permit  the  guardians  of  the 
poor  to  raise  money  through  the  rates  or  taxes,  to  emigrate  poor  people, 
who  might  become"  a  charge  upon  the  community  in  which  they  live. 
The  excerpts  from  the  reports  above  given  show  that  to  some  extent,  at 
least,  this  system  is  carried  onj  ^o  far  as  at  least  paying  the  passage  of 
II,  ^x,  'd7 51 


t 

Mil 

dill 


238  ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN    (CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  j 

poor  people  to  the  place  of  embarkation  is  concerned,  but  it  would  be| 
greaxiy  to  tlie  advantage  of  any  community  for  the  rate  payers  to  raise 
a  fund,  by  subscription,  to  pay  the  passage  of  poor  i)eople  from  their 
communities,  from  the  place  of  embarkation  to  the  place  of  debarkation 
in  the  United  States;  and  that  this  is  done  to  some  extent,  at  least . 
throughout  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,  I  have  no  doubt.     I  must  admit, 
hoAvever,  that  i  was  unable  to  obtain  evidence  of  individual  cases,  and 
I  must  also  admit  that  all  people,  in  both  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, , 
whom  I  questioned  on  this  subject,  while  admitting  that  this  had  been , 
done  to  a  large  extent  a  few  years  ago,  denied  that  it  was  done  at 
present. 

I  do  not  think  that  from  France,  Belgium,  or  Holland,  there  is  anyj 
organized  effort  by  societies,  communities,  or  governments,  to  send  ' 
poor  people  to  the  United  States.     It  is  possible  that  poor  people  are 
assisted  by  ratepayers  in  communities  in  these  countries  to  go  to  the 
United  States.     I  could  not  find  any  evidence  of  the  same,  neither  coa  " 
I  learn  through  the  United  States  ministers  or  consuls  of  any  suclil 
movement.  ; 

In  regard  to  the  sending  of  criminals  from  Great  Britain  I  have  as-f 
snrances  from  officers  and  other  persons,  based  ui)on  official  records* 
Avhich  were  shown  to  me,  and  wliich,  to  my  miiul,  furnish  positive 
proof  that  from  England,  Ireland,  and  Scotland,  during  the  last  eleven 
years  at  least,  there  has  been   a  systematic,  widespread,  and  tlior- ; 
oughly  organized  movement  known,  encouraged,  and  patronized  by 
the  Government  of  Great  Britain,  carried  out  by  the  officers  of  the  ■ 
eighty  or  one  hundred  prisoners'  aid  societies  in  Great  Britain  and  Ire- 
land, who  are  semiofficially  connected  witli  the  Government  for  this 
purpose  of  sending  convicts  and  ex  convicts  to  the  United  States;  t 
passage  and  money  to  keep  them  while  seeking  employment  is  fi 
nished  directly  by  the  Government  of  Great  Britain,  but  expended 
the  semiofficial  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Societies. 

This  sysljematic  landing  on  our  shores  of  the  convicts  of  Great  Brit- 
ain is  carried  on  under  the  cover  of  benevolence,  and  of  tlie  compara- 
tively new  system  of  nhort  sentences  of  penal  servitude  or  imprisonment 
and  lonfj  sentences  of  strict  surveillance  over  the  convict  after  being  dis- 
charged from  prison. 

Every  convict  in  Great  Britain  before  the  day  of  his  discharge  from 
impris(mment,  and  at  the  beginning  of  the  period  of  his  surveillance  by  K 
special  officers  of  the  Government,  to  whom  he  must  report  once  ai  f 
month  and  keep  them  thoroughly  informed  of  his  movements  if  lie  re-i  i 
mains  in  Great  Britain,  is  granted  the  privilege,  if  he  is  a  felon,  of  i 
having  his  passage  paid  from  the  prison  generally  to  the  nearest  port;  , 
in  the  United  States,  and  usually  Boston  has  heretofore  been  selected,'J  |* 
though  to  a  large  extent  New  York  also  and  some  other  ports.  |  E 

A  few  days  before  the  convict  is  discharged  an  officer  from  one  of  the    y 
Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Societies  visits  him  in  prison  and  arranges.  (|.^ 
Avith  him  to  go  to  the  United  States.    If  he  accepts  the  offer,  the  Govern- ;  •  ,J 
ment  pays  to  the  society  taking  him  in  charge  the  sum  of  £6,  which '   j 
pays  his  passage  to   the  United  States  ($17.50),   which  leaves  him 
about  ^12.50  when  he  arrives  in  the  United  States.     In  many  instances, ! 
and  perhaps  a  majority  of  them,  if  the  convict  needs  money  after  he 
arrives  in  the  United  States  the  society  sends  it  to  him.    the  officer     ! 
accompanies  him  to  the  port,  buys  his  ticket,  furnishes  him  with  ueces-     < 
sary  clothes,  bedding  etc.,  sees  him  aboard  the  steamer,  and  when  the 
steamer  is  about  to  depart  hands  him  the  balance  of  his  money  after 
deducting  the  price  of  his  ticket. 


:nis 
t^^ 


f 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    239 

If  the  couvict  refuses  to  be  expatriated  in  this  manner  lie  is  only 
allo>ved  £2  by  the  Governmentj  and  is  compelled  thereafter  to  report 
to  the  special  officer  of  the  Government  all  his  movements.  Usually  in 
the  United  States  the  convict  changes  his  name,  and  often  the  convict 
reports  from  the  United  States  to  the  society.  A  strict  record  is  kept 
of  every  criminal  at  the  Eegistry  in  Scotland  Yard,  which  Eegistry  is 
furnished  to  every  court  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  through  the 
officer  to  whom  the  convict  is  compelled  to  report,  if  such  convict  is 
ever  again  brought  before  a  court;  and  if  a  convict  ever  returns  from 
the  United  States  to  Great  Britain,  that  fact  is  recorded  at  the  Eegistry 
in  Scotland  Yard,  and  he  is  again  under  surveillance. 

Tills  system  is  provided  for  by  the  "Act  for  the  more  effectual  pre- 
vention of  crime"  (August  21st,  1871)  and  the  amendments  thereto. 
The  prison  residents  (probably  including  those  who  would  be  under 
surveillance  provided  they  remained  in  Great  Britain)  has  been  reduced 
by  this  system  from  20,000  in  1870  to  less  than  12,000  in  1891.  I  have 
excellent  authority  for  the  estimate  that  about  half  of  all  the  felons 
(liscliaiged  in  this  way  from  the  xirisons  of  Scotland  are  sent  directly  to 
the  Ignited  States.  And  it  is  but  fair  to  infer,  from  all  of  my  informa- 
tion on  this  subject,  that  at  least  a  like  iiroportiou  of  those  from  Eng- 
land, Wales,  and  Ireland  also  are  sent  to  the  United  States. 

I  can  not  see  how,  with  these  acts  of  patronage  of  the  Government 
of  (iieat  Britain  in  thus  sending  to  the  United  States  the  criminals  of 
(xieat  Britain  and  Ireland,  any  law  of  the  United  States  will  effectually 
euie  the  evil.  The  only  way  to  reach  the  evil  will  be  through  a  direct 
ap])Ji(atioii  to  the  sense  of  justice  of  the  English  Government  itself. 

So  I'ar  as  France  is  concerned,  I  could  not  learn  that  any  system  of 
any  kind  was  in  vogue  of  sending  convicts  or  ex-convicts  to  this  country, 
and  after  my  investigations  the  Hon.  Whitelaw  Eeid,  United  States 
minister  to  France,  informed  me  that  he  had  investigated  the  same 
object  and  had  not  been  able  to  learn  that  there  was  any  systematic 
sending,  either  by  Government,  municipal  authorities,  or  societies,  of 
convicts  to  the  United  States. 

Is  either  could  I  learn  in  Belgium  or  Holland  that  there  Avas  any  sys- 
tem by  any  authority  whatever  of  encouraging  convicts  to  leave  those 
countries  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States. 

So  far  as  Switzerland  is  concerned,  as  I  stated  in  the  body  of  my 
report,  I  had  the  assurance  of  the  distinguished  Dr.  Guillaume,  the 
federal  statistician  of  that  country,  perhaps  the  father  of  the  system 
now  so  much  in  vogue  in  all  countries  of  the  ticket-of-leave  and  surveil- 
lance for  a  term  after  the  convict's  discharge,  that  no  convicts  from 
Switzerland  were  now  sent  or  aided  to  go  to  the  United  States. 

Hon.  Hugo  M.  Starklof,  United  States  consul  at  Bremen,  says 
(vol.  II) : 

Criminals  and  paupers  have  been  shipped  to  the  United  States  to  my  knowledge 
by  benevolent  associations,  whose  leader,  in  one  case,  has  been  aGovermueut  officer. 
To  Avhat  extent  this  is  done  I  am  unable  to  tell. 

Of  course  it  is  possible  that  in  any  of  these  countries  convicts  may  be 
helped  over  by  friends,  on  account  of  family  pride  and  honor,  and  pos 
sibiy  some  communities  may  in  some  instances  assist  them. 

Ill  regard  to  Italy,  while  it  is  inevitable  that  with  about  5,000  mur- 
ders coaimitted  yearly  and  a  great  majority  of  them  coniniittedin  South 
Italy  ai'd  Sicily,  and  other  serious  crimes  in  i)roportion  I  believe 
that  the  Italian  Government  is  strict  in  keeping  the  convicts  the  full 
length  of  their  term ;  except  what  remission  is  earned  by  good  conduct; 


240    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

and  that  so  far  as  I  could  learn  there  are  no  prisoners'  aid  societies' 
assistance,  nor  any  Government  nor  municipal  assistance,  as  a  system. 
Yet  with  50,000  people  coming  from  the  south  of  Italy  and  from  Sicily 
to  the  United  States  yearly,  necessarily  there  must  be  as  la,rge  a  ratio 
of  ex-convicts,  perhaps  larger,  who  go  to  the  United  States  than  come  to 
us  from  other  countries. 

It  is  a  question  whether  convicts  and  ex-convicts  ought  not  to  be 
returned  or  deported  at  any  time  when  discovered,  and  all  rights  of 
enfranchisement  and  citizenshii>  revoked  and  canceled. 

Fifth.  The  extent  to  which  and  the  manner  in  which,  if  at  all,  the  steam- 
ship or  other  transportation  companies  or  their  agents  inquire  into  the 
character  or  condition  of  interiding  emigiants,  with  a  view  to  rejecting 
those  who  come  within  the  classes  excluded  by  the  laws  of  the  United 
States;  and  generally  what  checks,  if  any,  are  ap])lied  in  Europe  to  the 
emigration  to  this  country  of  persons  of  prohibited  classes? 

In  regard  to  this  subject  I  may  say  that  it  would  not  be  natural  for 
any  of  the  government  authorities  in  Europe  to  place  any  checks  upon 
the  emigration  to  this  country  of  any  of  the  prohibited  classes  or  ob- 
jectionable classes  of  any  kind,  when  it  is  almost  the  universal  com- 
plaint throughout  nearly  all  the  comnumities  which  I  visited,  except  in 
Italy,  that  it  was  comparatively  the  youngest  and  the  best  of  the  labor- 
ing classes  from  the  agricultural  districts  who  emigrate  to  the  United 
States.  And  I  do  not  think,  so  far  as  the  governments  are  concerned, 
there  are  any  checks  whatever  placed  in  the  way  of  these  classes  pro- 
hibited by  our  laws  emigrating  to  the  United  States,  unless  these 
classes  are  of  the  men  who  owe  service  to  the  armies  of  the  respective 
countries. 

So  far  as  the  steamboat  owners  and  their  general  agents  are  con- 
cerned, I  think  there  is  a  very  general  desire  to  do  what  they  can  to 
keep  themselves  in  harmony  with  the  laws  of  the  United  States,  and  to 
abstain  from  selling  tickets  to  or  encouraging  the  emigration  of  the 
classes  prohibited  by  our  laws.  In  my  interviews  with  them  they  sidd 
that  they  could  clearly  see  Ihat  it  was  for  their  interest  to  assist  the 
Government  of  the  United  States  in  carrying  out  its  laws,  so  far  as  was 
in  their  i)ower  ;  and  most  of  them  have  given  their  written  assurance 
in  their  communications  to  the  board  that  they  will  do  everything  in 
their  power  to  c^arry  out  the  rules  and  regulations  established  by  your 
Department  under  the  laws  of  Congress. 

I  believe  that  they  see  clearly  that  their  interests  and  the  future  , 
profits  of  their  business  compel  them  to  do  what  in  their  power  lies  to 
discourage  the  selling  of  tickets  to  and  of  bringing  to  this  side  the  pro- 
hibited classes. 

Sixth.  The  extent  to  which  such  preliminary  inquiry  by  transporta- , 
tion  companies,  or  their  agents  in  Europe,  can  be  made  effective  through 
the  voluntary  cooperation  of  the  companies,  and  the  best  methods  of 
carrying  it  out.     In  this  connection  it  is  suggested  that  you  confer,  as  ^ 
far  as  is  convenient,  with  owners  and  agents  of  steamship  lines  in  the  j 
principal  ports  of  Europe.  \ 

On  this  subject  I  may  state  that  the  owners  and  general  agents  of 
the  steamship  companies  bringing  emigrants  from  Europe  to  the  United 
States  can  adopt  a  system  of  preliminary  inquiry  through  their  sub- 
agents  in  regard  to  the  character,  life,  and  disqualifications,  if  any,, 
which  might  be  made  effective  if  honestly  administered,  and  a  thorough 
discipline  of  their  subagentsis  adopted  and  honestly  carried  out,  which 
will  greatly  aid  the  Department  in  administering  the  laws  u|)on  thia 


ENFORCEMENT  OB^  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    241 

subject,  and  of  excluding  the  prohibited  classes  from  emigrating  to  this 
coiuitry. 

Indeed,  I  believe  that  the  steamship  owners  and  their  general  agents 
have  entirely  tlie  best  facilities -at  the  very  homes  of  the  intending 
emigrants  to  inquire  into,  ascertain  about,  and  decide  concerning  who 
are  and  who  are  not  eligible  as  emigrants  to  this  country  j  and  I  believe 
that  in  connection  with  a  rigid  insijection,  overvsight,  and  supervision 
of  emigration  methods,  means,  and  agents  at  the  principal  European 
ports  and  districts  from  which  come  the  great  mass  of  our  inmiigrants, 
by  special  commissioners  and  inspectors,  to  be  appointed  by  the  United 
States  Goverument  as  below  stated,  that  the  steamboat  owners,  general 
agents,  and  subagents  may  become  the  most  effective  assistance  to 
your  Department  in  enforcing  the  laws  of  Congress  on  this  subject. 

Seventh.  Whether  it  will  be  prudent  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective 
system  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls 
in  foreign  countries,  or  officers  under  their  direction,  together  with  the 
probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system,  if  adopted"? 

On  this  subject  I  may  say  that  while  in  Europe  I  was  impressed  that 
some  system  of  inspection,  or  system  of  consular  certification  as  to  the 
character  and  fitness  of  intending  emigrants  by  United  States  agents 
or  otherwise,  was  practicable.  But  on  a  full  consideration  of  the  diffi- 
culties, expense,  and  probable  failure  of  the  same  as  to  excluding  unde- 
sirable classes,  I  now  am  of  the  opinion  that  your  suggestion  that  the 
steamboat  owners,  agents,  and  subagents  might  be  made  themselves  to 
do  the  greater  part  of  the  work,  and  bear  the  greater  part  of  the  ex- 
pense of  thus  inquiring  into  the  character  and  fitness  of  the  intending 
emigrants,  and  whether  or  not  those  who  apply  for  passage  to  the 
United  States  over  their  lines,  come  within  the  prohibited  classes  or 
not,  is  practicable,  and  might  with  wisdom  be  at  least  tried. 

Under  any  system  which  may  be  adopted  there  will  doubtless  be 
many  who  will  elude  their  best  efforts  even  when  honest,  and  many 
dishonest  agents  will  scheme  to  evade  our  laws;  but  on  the  whole  I 
agree  with  Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster  as  to  the  great  diffi- 
culties in  the  way  of  consular  inspection  and  a  certificate  as  to  each 
individual  case.  At  all  events  I  believe  that  a  system  should  be  adopted 
whicli  will  at  least  for  a  year  or  two  try  the  experiment  of  compelling 
the  steamboat  owners,  agents,  and  subagents  to  do  the  work  of  sifting 
out  the  emigrants  at  their  homes,  before  they  incur  the  expense  of 
going  to  the  place  of  embarkation  before  a  system  of  inspection  is 
applied.  If  the  system  which  below  is  indicated  shall  fail  of  bringing 
desirable  results  then  the  more  cumbersome  and  expensive  system 
(either  to  the  Government  br  to  the  emigrants),  perhaps  a  thorough 
inspection  by  Government  officers  appointed  for  that  purpose  to  reside 
in  all  the  districts  near  the  homes  of  the  intending  emigrants,  can  be 
devised  and  inaugurated. 

In  connection  with  requiring  steamboat  authorities  to  put  into  opera- 
tion a  system  of  inspection,  under  rules  to  be  suggested  for  the  guid- 
ance of  the  subagents  by  your  Department,  I  would  favor : 

First,  commissioners  and  inspectors  of  emigration  to  be  appointed  by 
authority  of  Congress  to  reside  at  or  near  all  the  great  seaport  centers 
of  emigration  activities  of  Europe,  whence  come  to  our  shores  very 
large  numbers  of  emigrants.  The  commissioners  to  have  certain  dis- 
tricts over  which  they  shall  have  supervision,  the  inspectors  to  work 
under  the  commissioners,  their  duties  not  being  an  inspection  of  each 
H.  Ex.  235 IG 


242    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

individual  emigrant,  but  a  thorougli  inspection  of,  inquiry  into,  and  the 
ferreting  out  of  the  means  adopted  by  tlie  subagents  to  get  passengers 
or  to  sell  tickets  to  tliem,  and  their  methods  of  work  and  operating  for 
tliat  object;  to  keep  thoroughly  posted  on  the  laws  of  Congress,  the 
rules  and  decisions  of  your  Department  in  regard  to  emigration  matters; 
and  to  be  ready  and  capable  of  giving  advice  to  the  steamship  owner, 
agent,  and  subagent  in  regard  to  all  emigration  matters,  and  the  de- 
cision of  any  particular  cases  which  the  steamboat  authorities  may 
desire  to  bring  before  them;  the  gaining  of  knowledge  and  information 
in  regard  to  the  causes  of  emigration  from  particular  districts  at  par- 
ticuhir  times  to  be  immediately  conveyed  to  your  Department;  the  I 
watchful  care  and  if  necessary  a  surveillance  over  the  workings  and 
doings  of  subagents  through  their  districts  by  means  of  special  agents 
to  be  employed  by  them  frorn  time  to  time  as  may  be  necessary  under 
your  si)ecial  authority  and  instructions. 

My  observation  in  Europe  and  of  the  districts  whence  come  the  great 
mass  of  immigrants,  and  of  the  location  of  the  various  ports  whence  they 
sail  to  the  United  States,  leads  me  to  suggest  that  with  modifications, 
as  a  study  of  the  subject  will  necessarily  bring  about,  commissioners  and 
inspectors  should  be  stationed  as  follows : 

A  commissioner  of  emigration  for  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  with 
headquarters  at  Liverpool,  with  one  inspector  for  Ireland  and  its  sea- 
ports, one  inspector  for  Scotland  and  the  north  of  England  and  its  sea- 
ports, and  one  inspector  for  the  south  of  England  and  its  seaports.   : 
One  commissioner  for  Holland,  Belgium,  Switzerland,  and  France  with 
headquarters  at  or  near  Antwerp,  with  one  inspector  for  Holland  and 
its  seai)orts,  Kotterdam  and  Amsterdam;  one  insi)ector  for  the  north  of 
France  and  Switzerland  and  the  seaports  of  Havre  and  Boulogne,  and 
one  inspector  for  the  south  of  France  and  the  sea])orts  of  Bordeaux  and  . 
Marseilles.     One  commissioner  for  Italy  with  headquarters  at  Naples, 
with  one  inspector  for  Sicily  and  one  inspector  for  north  and  central 
Italy.     One  commissioner  with  headquarters  at  Bremen  or  Hamburg,   :  L 
with  one  inspector  in  Germany,  and  one  inspector  for  Austria  Hungary,      ii 
and  one  for  Russia.     One  commissioner  for  the  Scandinavian  countries      |i 
witli  headquarters  at  Stockholm,  and  one  inspector  for  Norway  and      I; 
Denmark.     That  is,  seventeen  agents  in  all. 

Of  course  the  expense  of  this  force  would  depend  upon  the  salaries 
wiiicli  Congress  might  allow  them;  but  it  could  not  in  any  event  be  for 
the  salaries  of  the  commissioners  and  inspectors  and  other  necessary 
expenses  to  exceed  $75,000  or  $100,000  per  year.  This  would  cost  in 
the  neighborhood  of  12  to  15  cents  for  each  immigrant  entering  theUnited 
States.  '  ^ 

Of  course  in  addition  to  the  above  plan  of  a  stringent  inspection  in 
Europe   near  the  homes  of  the  people  by  subagents  selling  tickets, 
and  of  a  strict  supervision  of  the  inspecting  subagents,  there  should 
be  also  a  rigid  inspection  at  all  the  ports  of  entry  in  this  country;  and 
to  fully  carry  this  out  it  may  become  necessary  to  have  inspectors 
stationed  at  all  places  where  railways  from  Canada  enter  the  United  > 
States   and  bring  immigrants  from  Canadian   ports  into  the  United  i 
States.     Possibly  by  the  courtesy  of  the  Canadian  government  for  the 
purpose  of  retaining  this  kind  of  traffic  for  its  railroads  this  inspec- 
tion might  be  permitted  under  proper  rules  to  be  agreed  upon  by  the 
Canadian  and  United  States  authorities  to  board  the  trains  in  Canada      ^ 
long  enough  before  they  cross  the  border  to  complete  the  inspection 
befoie  they  arrive  at  the  border,  in  order  that  there  may  be  no  unnec-  M! 
essary  delay  at  the  border,  of  the  railway  trains  carrying*  such  imini-  i  t 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    243 

grants.  It  is  plain  to  be  seen  that  a  rigid  insi^ection  at  our  own  ports, 
without  guarding  by  inspection  the  places  of  entry  of  the  immigrants, 
through  Canada,  at  least  for  the  great  mass,  any  system  of  inspection 
would  fail. 

By  this  plan  suba  gents  would  be  compelled  to  be  constantly  on  the 
watch,  for  poor  emigrants  would  be  returned  from  ports  of  the  United 
States,  and  their  methods  would  become  known  to  the  commissioners 
through  the  insi^ectors,  who  wouhl  mal^  complaint  to  the  general  agents 

'■  of  the  steamboat  companies,  or  to  the  owners.  Suba  gents  would  be  on 
guard  not  to  have  too  many  such  complaints  made,  for  fear  of  losing 
their  appointments.     Whereas  under  a  system  of  individual  inspection 

1  at  ports  of  embarkation,  or  by  consular  certificates,  subagents  would  use 
every  effort  to  get  as  many  as  possible  past  the  ordeal,  as  there  would 
be  nothing  beyond  to  deter  him. 

Eighth.  Wliether  there  is  any  considerable  migration  from  European 
countries  of  adult  males  unaccompanied  by  families,  with  a  purpose  of 
returning  to  Europe  after  a  limited  period,  and  whether  there  is  any 

I  considerable  return  movement  of  Europeans  who  have  once  settled  in 

t  the  United  States,  with  the  cause  for  such  movement? 

On  this  subject  I  have  reported  in  full  what  I  found  in  this  regard, 
and  what  strongly  impressed  me  while  in  Europe.    There  is  doubt- 

■  less  a  very  large  movement  of  stone  and  brick  masons,  plasterers, 
and  stonecutters  from  all  parts  of  Scotland;  of  masons  and  painters 

r  especially  from  Glasgow;  of  masons  and  other  mechanics  from  various 
^cities  and  seaports  of  England;  mechanics  from  the  north  of  Ire- 
J  land,  and  laborers  to  some  extent  from  the  south  and  west  of  Ire- 
laud;  and  of  sailors  from  Scotland  and  probably  some  from  England 
to  the  Great  Lakes  in  the  United  States,  all  of  whom  go  across  the 
J  ocean  in  the  early  spring  by  steerage  passage  at  a  cost  of  about  $17.50 
i  one  way,  and  cheaper  still  by  buying  return  tickets,  to  work  in  the 

■  principal  seaport  cities  of  the  United  States  during  the  spring,  summer, 
!  and  fall,  and  return  to  their  homes  and  families  during  the  winter.  This 
j  process  is  repeated  year  after  year  by  many.    I  could  not  learn  that 

workmen  generally  did  this  from  France.  I  learned  that  to  some  ex- 
tent from  Belgium,  Holland,  and  Switzerland  this  migratory  move- 
ment of  i)assage  to  and  fro  of  mechanics  and  laboring  men  was  carried 
on.  From  Italy  this  movement  is  very  large  indeed,  if  my  information 
was  correct.  Probably  the  laboring  men  who  go  from  Italy  to  the 
United  States  to  work  temporarily  stay  longer,  and  not  so  many  of 
I  them  return  every  fall  as  from  the  districts  of  Great  Britain  which  I 
have  named,  but  the  movement  of  men  from  Italy  to  the  United  States 
who  go  to  work  in  the  United  States,  who  leave  their  families  in  Italy, 
i  who  send  to  them  all  their  earnings,  nearly,  and  who  are  in  the  United 
States  only  temiiorarily  for  the  purpose  of  making  money  with  the  ulti- 
mate design  of  returning  to  Italy,  is  very  great. 

The  movement  of  the  Italians  back  from  the  United  States  commences 

in  August,  and  is  the  largest  in  August,  September,  October,  and  No- 

j  vember,  while  from  the  other  countries  named  it  does  not  commence  from 

I  the  United  States  until  later  in  the  fall.     This  is  a  movement  well  known 

I  in  the  United  States  and  it  must  sadly  i^iterfere  with  the  laborers  of  the 

seaboard  cities  of  our  country.     All  these  men  who  come  to  the  United 

States  to  work  live  very  cheaply  while  here  and  buy  scarcely  any  of 

their  clothing  in  the  United  States;  in  fact,  it  maybe  considered  as 

an  unnatural  ('onii)ctiti()n  with  our  mechanics,  artisans,  and  laborers 

by  those  who  have  no  interest  in  our  country,  who  spend  none  of  their 

earnings  here  to  speak  of,  which  greatly  interferes  with  the  labor  mar- 


244    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

ket  riglitfuUy  belonging  to  the  men  wlio  have  their  homes,  their  inter- 
ests, and  their  families  in  our  midst. 

This  state  of  affairs  is  brought  about  by  the  very  cheap  fares  from 
Europe  to  the  United  States,  and  the  fact  that  all  of  the  mechanics  who 
come  from  these  countries  to  the  United  States  receive  from  four  to  five 
times  as  much  pay  for  their  labor  in  the  United  States  as  at  their  owl 
homes.  'They  are  enabled  to  pay  their  railroad  and  steamboat  fares  both 
ways,  to  have  the  trip  to  and  fro,  and  to  spend  four  months  with  tbeir 
families  doing  nothing  or  attending  to  their  own  affairs,  and  yet  earn  in 
the  season  which  they  spend  in  the  United  States  more  than  double 
what  they  would  during  the  whole  year  if  they  remained  at  home  and 
should  work  all  the  year. 

It  is  true  that  clothing  and  rents  are  cheaper  in  Europe  than  in 
the  United  States,  while  the  same  class  of  provisions  for  the  families 
of  mechanics  is  much  cheaper  in  the  United  States  than  in  Europe,  pro- 
vided they  have  the  same  kinds  of  food  there  that  mechanics  usually 
have  in  the  United  States. 

BESUMl^:  OF    SPECIAL    REPORT    ON    THE    POSSIBLE    LARGE    EMIGRA- 
TION OF  THE  WORKERS  FROM  SOUTH  WALES. 

I  here  simply  repeat  the  r6sum6  which  I  made  with  my  special  report 
to  you  as  to  probable  emigration  of  tin  workers  from  Wales,  and  which, 
together  w  ith  the  report,  will  be  found  above. 

First.  That  the  matter  of  conunencing  as  boys  has  been  a  necessity 
in  very  large  families  to  have  the  boys  earning  something. 

Second.  That  in  the  natural  course  of  promotion  it  takes  about  five 
to  eight  years  to  get  the  man  ahead  out  of  the  way  so  that  the  one  be- 
hind may  be  advanced. 

Third.  That  this  long  course  of  having  boys  do  light  work,  and 
the  length  of  time  it  takes  to  advance  one  in  the  natural  order  of 
things,  has  led  to  the  universal  belief  that  to  be  a  good  tin  workman 
one  must  commence  as  a  boy  and  work  up  through  all  grades.  That 
has  heen  the  course  for  many  years.  They  think  it  must  continue. 
Doubtless  good  workmen  are  so  made. 

Fourth.  That  most  of  the  men  would  honestly  give  the  number  of 
years  necessary  for  making  a  skilled  workman  in  any  department. 

Fifth.  From  what  was  told  by  those  who  had  been  in  America  I  be- 
lieve that  heaters,  rollers,  shearers,  tinmen,  brushers,  and  assorters 
can  be  educated  from  our  skilled  metal  workers  in  from  one  to  two 
years. 

Sixth.  I  believe  there  are  hundreds  of  old  tin  workers  in  the  United 
States  in  other  w^ork. 

Seventh.  I  presume  these  are  somewhat  out  of  touch  with  those 
who  have  kept  right  on  in  Wales,  but  yet  I  found  tin  workers  Avho  had 
worked  fourteen  years  in  America  at  other  work  who  had  returned  to 
Wales  into  the  tin  works. 

Eighth.  Doubtless  our  skilled  artisans  would  learn  quicker,  to  have 
the  best  workmen  from  the  works  in  Wales  as  teachers. 

Ninth.  The  masters  will  do  everything  to  keep  their  best  workmen, 
and  if  they  must  part  with  any  then  part  with  the  poorest. 

Tenth.  American  masters  must  be  cautious  in  selecting  their  men  to 
teach  others. 

Eleventh.  I  do  not  think  there  are  as  many  secret  processes  as  thejj 
try  to  convince  Americans. 


ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    245 

Twelfth.  If  the  Americans  do  not  try  to  have  all  Welsh  workers,  they 
will  probably  make  some  mistakes  which  will  cause  them  to  invent  new 
processes  and  methods  to  overcome  obstacles  which  in  the  end  will 
make  them  independent  of  all  the  world  in  tin-plate  making. 
'  Thirteenth.  Every  obstacle  will  be  thrown  in  their  way  by  the 
Welsh  masters  to  prevent  any  wholesale  emigration  of  tin  workers  to 
the  United  States. 

'  Fourteenth.  American  masters  must  be  shy  of  men  who  go  to  Amer- 
ica from  Wales.  The  masters  may  introduce  "  wooden  horses  of  Troy  " 
in  men  who  might  lead  the  masters  astray.  If  our  men  can  have  good 
and  honest  teachers,  two  years  ^yill  make  them  experts  in  the  most  in- 
tricate processes.  If  the  present  demoralization  continues  in  Wales,- 
thousands  of  Welsh  tin  workers  will  come  to  the  United  States  to  seek 
employment. 

JuDSON  K  Cross, 

Member  of  Commission, 

Hon.  Charles  Foster, 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  Washington,  D,  C. 


1 


REPORT  OF  COMMISSIONER  JOSEPH  POWDERLY. 


Sir:  In  accordance  with  your  instructions,  I  herewith  submit  a  re 
port  of  my  findings  while  investigating' the  causes  which  lead  to  enii 
gration  from  Europe  to  the  United  States.     I  deem  it  proper  to  makt ' 
my  report  under  the  various  headings  presented  in  your  letter  of  in  i 
structions  to  me  of  July  1,  1891,  the  first  of  which  is:  | 

The  principal  causes  which  operate  in  the  several  countries  of  Europe 
to  incite  emigration  to  the  United  States. 

In  order  to  answer  this  question  correctly  it  will  be  necessary  tci 
divide  it  into  two  parts :  First,  the  causes  which  oblige  the  people  tC 
emigrate,  for  if  they  were  satisfied  and  contented  with  their  surround' 
ings  they  would  not  wish  to  leave  their  native  laud;  second,  why  thc-< 
stream  of  emigration  is  directed  to  the  United  States. 

In  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  the  chief  cause  of  emigration  . 
is  the  land  question,  the  great  landed  estates  ot  the  landlords,  abseiitei 
and  resident,  and    nobility,  which  some  statisicians  estimate  to  be 
twenty-two  millions  of  acres  of  productive  land  lying  idle. 

In  Ireland  thousands  of  acres  of  productive  land  in  the  richer  portion 
of  the  island  are  idle  or  used  only  for  grazing  purposes,  while  th€'| 
population  is  crowded  on  the  poorer  lands  of  the  northwest  and  south- 
west, from  which  the  greater  number  of  emigrants  come.  The  landlords 
refuse  to  rent  any  more  of  their  land,  and  on  this  account  the  people 
find  it  impossible  to  obtain  land  enoughfor  the  support  of  their  families. 

The  lack  of  manufacturing  and  other  industrial  works  and  the  em- 
ployment at  such  very  low  wages  of  those  engaged  in  agiicultural  i)ur-j 
suits  as  to  hardly  keep  alive  the  spark  of  life  in  the  bodies  ot  the  poor 
creatures  so  employed,  is  another  cause.  In  addition  to  this  it  appears 
to  be  the  settled  policy  of  the  ruling  powers  to  reduce  the  population 
in  the  congested  districts. 

In  support  of  my  statement  as  to  their  policy  of  reducing  the  popu- 
lation I  herewith  submit  an  extract  from  the  speech  of  Lord  Derby  onj 
the  subject,  in  which  he  says:  | 

With  a  population  already  congested  and  growing  at  the  rate  of  1,500,000  a  year, ' 
how  is  it  possible  to  find  employment,  food,  and  clothing  for  them  allf  We  are,  we 
must  be,  an  emigrating  country.  With  our  small  area  and  with  our  growing  popu-^ 
lation  we  have  no  choice  in  the  matter,  and  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  to  dispose! 
of  the  growing  swarms  of  the  poorer  classes  is  not  a  matter  of  humanity  only,  but] 
one  also  of  public  safety. 

The  causes  above  alluded  to  in  regard  to  Ireland  may  be  said  to  be, 
also  true  of  Italy,  only  in  a  still  more  aggravated  form.  In  a  report  oni 
the  condition  of  labor  in  Italy  made  by  Sir  D.  E.  Oolnaghi,  in  which  lie^ 
quotes  liberally  from  statements  rendered  by  the  eminent  Italian  statis-' 
tician,  Luigi  Bodio,  I  find  the  following  given  as  causes  of  emigration:, 

The  changed  condition  of  things  within  the  last  thirty-one  years,  since  which  time  a, 
large  standing  army  and  navy  had  to  be  maintained,  public  works  to  be  carried  on,  a^ 
system  of  national  instruction  to  be  promoted,  and  an  immense  administration  to  be' 
maintained  regardless  of  cost.  To  support  these  burdens,  heavy  taxes  have  been  im- 
posed, which,  with  commercial,  industrial,  and  agricultural  crises,  have  pressed  heav- ' 
246 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    247 

ilyon  the  country,  iintil,  at  the  present  day,  financial  difi&culties have  arrived  at  such 
a  state  that  only  by  severe  and  thorough  economy  in  the  pnhlic  expenditure  can  any 
relief  be  expected.  With  the  increase  of  the  pojinlation  added  to  the  depression  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  the  day  laborer  obtaining  a  liv- 
ing are  Jill  the  increase.  In  many  districts  they  can  not  earn  by  regular  woik  more 
than  20u  or  300  lire  i>cr  annum.  This  is  equal  to  about  from  $40  to  $60.  I  found  the 
average  \v:iges  for  an  adult  male  to  be  2  lire  (40  cents)  in  summer  and  one  lire  in 
winter.  An  account  must  be  taken  of  the  season  in  which  he  can  obtain  no  employ- 
ment, for  taking  the  Avhole  year  round  he  will  average  less  than  20  cents  a  day.  In 
the  province  of  Basilicata,  one  of  the  largest  in  Italy,  where  large  estates  uncler  the 
control  of  absentee  landlords  al)ound,  want  of  employment  has  caused  a  large  emi- 
grntion  of  laborers.  Notwithstanding  the  immense  emigration,  the  increase  of  pop- 
ulation since  1861  has  been  over  5,000,000. 

All  these  (pauses  have  reduced  the  population  to  such  a  condition  of 
poveity  that  women  are  forced  to  compete  with  men  in  the  field  of 
manual  labor.  They  are  engaged  as  section  hands  on  the  railroads,  as 
laborers  in  quarries,  and  as  helpers  to  stone  masons.  At  Frosinone, 
Ceprano,  and  Roccasecoa,  and  along  the  railroads  between  Kaples  and 
Bonie,  1  saw  women  engaged  in  the  occupations  enumerated.  With 
8uch  a  state  of  things  prevailing  it  need  not  be  wondered  at  that  the 
steamship  agent  finds  eager  listeners  to  his  alluring  tales  of  prosperity 
and  plenty  in  the  United  States.  These  agents,  subagents,  and  sub- 
agents'  subs  will  be  referred  to  under  the  proper  heading. 

The  answer  to  the  second  part  of  the  question  is  summed  up  in  the 
fo]l<  wing: 

The  letters  received  from  friends  and  relatives  who  have  emigrated 
to  the  United  States,  the  money  sent  home  to  parents  by  children  who 
are  employed  in  the  United  States,  and  an  occasional  visit  of  one  of  the 
exiles  to  his  former  home  displaying  as  a  result  of  his  labor  in  America 
a  few  hundred  dollars,  or  francs,  which  to  poor  people  not  blessed  with 
a  shilling  appear  as  fortunes  of  mag-nificentproi^ortions.  Another  stim- 
ulus to  emigration  is  ibund  in  the  low  rates  of  passage  now  prevailing 
(from  $16  to  $20),  also  the  short  time  consumed  in  the  journey  as  com- 
pared with  former  years. 

In  Italy  the  causes  above  enumerated  together  with  the  ])ersistency 
of  the  ubiquitous  agents  and  subagents  all  combine  to  direct  the  stream 
of  emigration  to  the  United  States. 

Another,  and  perhaps  as  great  a  cause  as  any,  can  be  found  in  the 
Dunierons  emigration  aid  societies  which  are  scattered  all  over  England 
and  Ireland.  As  an  illustration  of  the  manner  in  which  they  direct 
the  stream  to  us,  and  to  show  that  theEnghsh  people  are  keenly  alive 
to  the  necessity  for  action  on  this  question,  I  quote  from  the  report  of 
the  select  committee  appointed  by  Parliament  to  inquire  into  the  sub- 
ject ot  emigration  and  immigration  of  foreigners,  and  into  the  laws 
existing  in  the  United  States  and  elsewhere  on  the  subject.  That  com- 
mittee was  appointed  and  made  its  report  in  1888.  In  the  examination 
of  Mr.  Lionel  L.  Alexander,  honorable  secretary  of  the  Jewish  board 
of  guardians,  by  Mr.  Montague,  a  member  ot  the  committee,  will  be 
found  the  following: 

Q.  At  page  166  in  your  evidence  you  refer,  I  fancy,  to  a  mission  which  Dr.  Asher 
and  I  undertook  for  the  Mansion  House  committee  to  Gallicia,  to  consult  the  emi- 
gration committee  in  Limberg  and  Brodie? — A.  I  referred  to  that  and  to  another 
mission  which  another  gentleman  kindly  undertook  for  us, 

Q.  Can  you  state  that  through  the  action  of  that  committee  in  Gallicia,  and  their 
correspoiuling  committees  in  London  and  Liverpool,  a  large  number  of  emigrants 
were  sent  away  to  America,  who  might  otherwise  have  located  themselves  in  Lon- 
don?—A.  Distinctly  so;  they  might  have  wandered  sooner  or  later  to  London;  a 
very  large  number  of  them,  I  feel  sure,  would  have  done  so. 

Q.  Are  you  aware  that  the  large  sums  suj)plied  to  the  Mansion  House  fund  have 
been  employed  in  sending  Russian  refugees  directly  to  America? — A.  Very  large. 


248  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

Further  ou,  in  his  testimony  before  the  same  commission,  he  state: 

Were  such  arraDgenients  promulgated  as  exist  iii  the  United  States,  I  feel  sure  th; 
scarcely  auv  of  the  people  complained  of ^  would  be  kept  out.  It  is  notorious  th; 
with  all  the  stringency  of  the  American  regulations  few  are  ever  prohibited  to  ente 

The  Mansion  House  fund  still  exists;  contributions  are  solicited  an 
received.  The  contributions  received  for  the  years  1889  and  189 
amounted  to  £151,0()(),  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  million  dollars.  Wit 
such  an  immense  fund  to  draw  from,  and  there  is  no  doubt  but  that 
is  being  used  to  pay  the  passages  of  refugees  to  this  country,  we  nee 
not  be  surprised  when  we  meet  with  hucksters  and  peddlers  in  all  ( 
our  industrial  centers  whose  knowledge  of  our  language  and  custom 
is  so  limited  that  tLey  do  not  know  how  to  make  change  in  selling  thei 
wares.  For  proof  of  tbis  one  has  only  to  walk  a  block  on  any  street  i 
New  York.  ' 

I  also  quote  from  a  pamphlet  issued  by  the  Self  Help  Emigratio 
Society,  of  London,  patronized  by  the  Earl  of  Aberdeen  and  a  host  ( 
lords,  reverend  gentlemen,  and  members  of  Parliament : 

In  a  country  containing  121,000  square  miles,  while  the  population  numbers  aboi 
36,000,000,  it  is  obvious  that  with  a  population  increasing  at  the  rate  of  two  millio" 
a  year  competition  must  become  more  keen  every  succeeding  year,  therefore  makin 
remunerative  work  more  difficult  to  obtain.  Emigration,  tlierefore,  from  the  ore: 
crowded  couutry  to  these  colonies  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  remedies  ( 
the  poverty  and  overcrowding  now  existing.  The  United  States  also  affords  abm 
dant  opportunities  for  the  workmen. 

From  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Alexander  and  the  extracts  from  one  ( 
the  numerous  aid  societies  which  abound  in  Great  Britain,  it  can  jdainl 
be  seen  that  the  English  people  are  sensible  of  the  importance  of  tlii 
subject,  aiul  that  through  their  efforts  a  large  proportion  of  the  em 
grants  are  diverted  and  directed  to  our  shores. 

Second.  The  extent  to  which  the  movement  is  promoted  or  stimulate 
by  steamship  or  other  carryiug  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  k, 
suiting  passenger  business.  , 

In  every  town  visited  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  the  principr 
ofticers  are  liberally  supplied  with  emigration  literature  of  most  allnrin . 
character.  The  folders  of  the  great  railroads  of  the  United  States  ar 
temptingly  displayed,  and  accompanying  each  one  will  be  found 
number  o"f  pamphlets  setting  forth  the  resources  of  new  towns  an-, 
home  sites  along  these  railroads.  The  swamps  of  Florida,  the  moui. 
tainous  regions,  and  alkali  beds  of  the  West  and  Northwest,  look  as  we) 
on  pai)er  as  if  made  up  of  the  most  fertile  lauds,  and  when  the  exceec' 
ingly  low  price  of  these  lands,  or  alleged  lands,  is  advertised,  it  need  do 
be  wondered  at  that  the  tide  of  emigration  to  the  United  States  become 
more  rapid  and  swollen.  On  reaching  the  United  States  ar.d  discoveriD 
the  real  nature  of  the  swindle,  there  is  but  one  thing  left  to  the  emigraii 
to  do — turn  to  the  already  crowded  manufacturing  center  to  look  for  eir, 
ployment.  I  procured  and  took  with  me  a  number  of  these  folders  am 
"  boom  town  "  circulars.  < 

I  wish  to  call  particular  attention  to  one  of  them,  a  pamphlet  or  d(| 
scriptive  list  of  lands  for  sale  in  all  parts  of  the  State  of  North  Oarc 
lina,  by  the  North  Carolina  Land  and  Emigration  Bureau,  22  Dey  street 
New  York.  On  the  last  page  of  said  pamphlet  will  be  found  a  volmi. 
tary  testimonial  from  British  settlers  in  North  Carolina,  giving  reason, 
why  they  are  glad  they  came  to  North  Carolina.  The  last  of  thes 
reasons  is  given  verbatim : 

Uuder  the  laws  of  North  Carolina  and  the  United  States  aliens  may  acquire  an 
hold  property  in  the  former  and  still  remain  citizens  of  their  native  lands.     They  pa 


I 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    249 

the  same  taxes  as  their  neighbors,  and  are  equally  protected  in  all  their  personal 
and  property  rights,  but  they  are  exempted  from  military,  jury,  and  other  duties 
that  American  citizens  are  compelled  to  perform. 

The  circulars  and  advertisements  of  this  company  are  to  be  found  in 
the  steam  shifj  offices  of  Dublin  and  other  places. 

Many  steamship  lines  issue  circulars  in  which  they  advertise  to  take 
passengers  from  England  to  America  via  Antwerp  for  the  low  sum  of 
£3  10s.  The  Eed  Star  Line  publishes  a  paper  entitled  the  '^Eed  Star 
iGuide/'  in  which,  under  the  heading  '^Motives  to  Emigrate,"  they  ad- 
vertise free  homes,  timber  culture,  and  the  preemption  laws  of  the 
United  States.  The  title  page  of  the  folders,  circulars,  and  pamphlets 
explanatory  of  the  above  are  herewith  transmitted. 

In  France  I  did  not  find  that  the  agents  advertised  or  issued  circu- 
lars setting  forth  any  inducements  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States. 

In  Italy  I  did  not  find  any  circulars  or  advertisements  of  any  kind, 
but  found  that  instead  each  agent  and  subagent  had  runners  who 
mingled  with  the  people,  giving  glowing  descriptions  of  the  United 
States,  representing  wages  as  being  high,  work  i^lenty.  Castle  Garden 
as  a  place  where  they  would  be  kept  and  taken  care  of  until  they  got 
work;  in  fact,  that  it  was  the  business  of  the  officers  of  Castle  Garden 
to  find  work  for  them.  The  subagents  paid  runners  from  one  to  five 
ifrancs  for  each  passenger  they  brought  in.  It  all  depended  on  how 
near  the  steamship  had  her  complement  of  passengers  filled  out.  If,  as 
the  liour  of  sailing  drew  near,  the  vessel  was  not  crowded  to  its  fullest 
icapacity,  the  prices  paid  to  runners  advanced.  On  one  block  in  the 
idty  of  JSaples  I  counted  twenty  steamship  officers,  and  each  one  had 
isubagents  in  all  the  principal  centers  of  emigration.  To  illustrate  the 
manner  in  which  emigiation  is  stimulated  by  the  steamship  companies, 
I  give  my  experience  on  board  the  steamer  California^  of  the  Anchor 
Line,  which  was  to  sail  from  Naples  on  or  about  September  29.  As 
her  complement  of  steerage  passengers  was  not  full,  she  did  not  sail 
until  October  2. 

In  the  meantime,  the  runners  were  more  active  in  procuring  passen- 
gers for  the  California.  Saw  A.  P.,  keeper  of  an  emigration  boarding 
house,  Avho,  as  my  interx>reter  informed  me,  was  a  ''boss"  or  padrone, 
'endeavoring  to  secure  more  passengers  for  the  California;  saw  him 
talking  to  and  urging  intending  emigrants  to  go  to  the  United  States, 
instead  of  to  Brazil  as  they  originally  intended.  My  interpreter,  A.  D. 
F.,  who  had  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Anchor  Line  as  assistant  inter- 
Ipreter,  and  who  had  in  one  year  made  four  trips  across  the  ocean — 
jthe  last  one  in  May  on  the  steamship  Belgravia — knew  one  of  the  pas- 
sengers on  board  of  that  shij)  who  had  been  in  jail  for  twenty- five 
years  for  murder.  The  man  mentioned  had  been  furnished  with  a 
jpassport  to  leave  the  country  and  was  at  that  time  the  proprietor  of 
a  fruit  stand  in  New  York  City.  My  interpeter  would  not  give  me  his 
name  for  fear  of  consequences  to  himself  in  case  it  became  known  that 
he  had  given  such  information.  He  also  said  "that  a  man  who 
had  been  in  the  United  States  would  be  of  more  value  as  a  runner 
tlian  one  who  had  never  left  Italy,  and  that  agents  when  they  sold 
tickets  instructed  emigrants  how  to  answer  the  questions  that  would 
be  put  to  them  by  the  authorities  at  Castle  Garden."  He  also  in- 
^formed  me  that  while  en  route  he  used  to  instruct  emigrants  how  to 
answer  questions  at  Castle  Garden.  Castle  Garden  is  a  familiar  name 
in  Europe,  and  long  usage  of  the  term  has  rendered  it  almost  impos- 
sible to  designate  any  other  landing  place  by  another  title. 

One  steamship  agent,  visited  by  me  in  Genoa,  read  a  circular  to  me 


250    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

whicb  he  had  received  from  the  Italian  Govern mciit  in  which  our  lav 
relatiuiT  to  iiumigration  were  luliy  ^plained.  We  secured  a  list  of  tl 
general  and  a  partial  list  of  the  subagents  in  Italy,  which  ac(;()ni[)ani( 
the  rei)ort;  we  also  learned  that  all  of  these  agents  had  between  2( 
and  300  subagents.  which  would  bring  the  total  number  up  to  sonu^.wliei 
near  4,000.  We  made  an  eftbrt  to  obtain  a  list  of  the  subs  and  the 
runners,  but  failed.  We  afterwards  learned  tliat  the  police,  notwit! 
standing  tlieir  almost  unlimited  powers  of  surveillance,  failed  to  secui 
accurate  information  on  the  subject. 

Third.  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged,  openly 
covertly,  for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  through  what  agenci 
and  for  what  classes  of  employment. 

The  fact  that  the  names  and  objects  of  the  commission  were  made 
public  in  Great  Britain  and  on  the  Continent  rendered  the  securing 
information  on  the  subject  almost  impossible.    Eepeated  attempts 
eliciting  answers  to  inquiries  especially  directed  to  this  end  prov 
abortive,  and  as  a  final  resort  I  engaged  the  services  of  laborers  to  v 
emigrant  information  offices  in  London  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  so; 
knowledge  of  their  intimacy  with  the  condition  of  the  demand  for  wo: 
men  in  the  United  States.     The  information  received  was  to  the  efti 
that  if  my  agents  were  mechanics  they  would   be  advised  to  go 
America.    Eight  here  it  is  pertinent,  to  say  that  when  the  word  Ameri 
is  used  in  England  it  refers  to  the  United  States;  Canada  and  Briti 
North  America  are  designated  by  name.    These  emigrant  informati 
offices  are  not  intended  to  send  emigrants  away,  but  merely  to  give 
curate  information  to  those  who  apply  for  it  as  to  the  needs  of  ot 
countries  for  workmen  of  all  kinds.     I  secured  the'services  of  a  port 
of  one  of  the  hotels,  sent  him  to  the  office  of  the  Eed  Star  Line  in  Ad 
laide  street,  London,  and  directed  him  to  ascertain  it  they  would  gu 
antee  him  employment  in  the  United  States  if  he  took  passage  ou  o 
of  their  vessels.    The  answer  he  brought  back  was — 

The  agent  would  not  guarantee  me  a  situation,  but  advised  me  to  consult 
labor  bureau,  meaning  the  emigration  office.     There  wore  two  men  in  the  office  w 
I  Aveut  in ;  tliey  were  plasterers,  and  were  preparing  to  go  to  the  United  States, 
agent  said  ''that  he  sent  numbers  of  masons,  bricklayers,  carpenters,  and  plastc 
over,  and  that  if  1  were  a  tradesman  he  would  advise  me  to  go." 

Next  day  he  visited  an  agent  in  the  Strand,  a  Mr.  Hetheriugt 
who  acted  for  several  steamship  companies.  On  his  return  he  repor 
as  follows : 

^'  He  informed  me  that  he  would  give  me  a  letter  of  introduction  t 
his  agent  in  New  York,  who  was  located  close  to  where  I  w(mld  land 
and  that  he  would  take  care  of  me  until  he  found  work  for  me  to  do 
to  pay  expenses,  but  not  until  he  secured  employment  for  me.  H 
was  very  anxious  that  I  should  go,  and  on  learning  that  I  was  a  hott 
porter,  he  said  that  I  would  find  no  difficulty  in  getting  a  situation  o; 
the  other  side."  1 

Calling  at  the  office  of  T.  &  E.  Brockelbank,  106  Leadeuhall  street | 
London,  E.  C,  agents  for  a  number  of  companies,  I  represented  myscl 
as  being  anxious  to  make  contracts  with  laborers  to  go  to  the  Unitei 
States.    The  answer  was :  j 

Do  not  make  contract^  with  laborers  on  this  side,  or  they  will  be  sent  back.  Wl 
will  give  you  a  letter  of  introduction  to  a  Mr.  Odell,  117  West  Forty-second  street 
New  York,  who  is  especially  employed  to  look  after  the  interests  of  steerage  pas 
sengers  by  our  lines.  About  two  months  ago  we  sent  some  tailors  to  him  and  b ; 
found  them  employment  in  Fort  Worth,  Tex.  ' 


iCj    i 

,1  I 


i 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    251 

He  mformeci  me  tliat  when  he  sent  passengers  to  the  United  States 
they  went  via  Eotterdam,  and  that  the  passenger  rates  for  the  steerage 
would  be  £3  10s.  He  volnntewed  the  information  that  if  he  should 
send  workmen  to  the  United  States  for  me  I  need  not  go  with  them  to 
Rotterdam,  and  that  I  could  secure  accommodations  and  intercept  them 
on  the  same  vessel  at  Boulogne. 

In  ]Sraples  we  were  informed  that  Italian  bankers  and  Italian  hotel- 
keepers  in  IsTew  York  are  engaged  in  the  contract  business.  It  is  prin- 
cipally through  their  efforts  or  through  the  efforts  of  their  correspond- 
ents in  the  emigration  centers  that  so  many  people  are  induced  to  go  to 
the  United  States.  We  could  not  get  any  direct  evidence  of  the  making 
of  cou tracts,  but  believe  that  the  contracting  is  done  through  these 
agencies.     The  following  names  are  those  of  agents:  Banca  Tucci,  22 

,  Center  street,  Xew  York;  Carlo  Barsotti,  general  agent  steamship  line, 
2  Center  street,  I^ew  York ;  B.  Bertini,  proprietor  Hotel  Del  Campido- 
glia,  135  Bleecker  street,  New  Y'^ork,  agent  for  Bank  of  Tuscany;  A. 
Cuneo,  28  Mulberry  street,  New  York;  Banca  Italian,  275  Mulberry 
I  street,  New  York;  Guiseppe  Gallo  &  Bro.,  114  Marion  street.  New 
York;  Banca  D.  Garofals,  186  Spring  street.  New  York. 

From  one  of  the  numerous  scribes  in  the  streets  of  Naples  I  learned 
that  the  Italians  Avere  in  the  habit  of  writing  to  their  friends  in  the 

)  J  United  States  begging  of  them  to  take  tliem  out  of  that  ^'miserable 
country,"  promising  to  pay  liberally  for  any  money  advanced  in  their 
behalf.  Upon  returning  to  the  United  States  I  learned  from  an  Italian 
steamship  agent  that  he  often  received  such  letters,  and  he  knew  of 
several  Italians  who  made  it  their  business  to  invest  their  money  in 
I  that  way;  that  is,  by  sending  prepaid  tickets  to  Italy,  bringing  over 

,  j acquaintances,  finding  work  for  them,  and  receiving  double  the  amount 

f  jexi)ended  in  bringing  them  over.  This  is  always  paid  out  of  the  first 
money  that  these  men  earn. 

Fourth.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and 
other  defectives,  paupers,  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge 
and  persons  afflicted  with  loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious  diseases 
are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  in  violation 
of  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement  is  furnished  sys- 
tematically or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  com- 
mittees, or  government  authorities. 

In  several  places  in  Ireland,  notably  in  the  west,  I  was  informed  by 
persons  with  whom  I  conversed  that  the  board  of  guardians  did  emi- 
grate paui^ers  from  among  the  inmates  of  workhouses,  as  well  as  those 
who  were  in  receipt  of  outdoor  relief.  As  the  information  so  received 
would  not  be  considered  good  evidence,  I  endeavored  to  get  affidavits 
wliich  would  prove  the  statements  made,  but  found  my  informants 
unwilling  to  do  so,  for  very  good  reasons.  Pursuing  the  inquiry  farther, 
1  was  told  to  procure  the  report  of  the  board  of  guardians  (local  gov- 
ernment boards)  for  the  year  1890,  and  would  therein  find  the  proof  of 
their  statements.  I  did  so,  and  also  found  the  act  which  gave  these 
boards  of  guardians  the  power  to  emigrate.  The  following  is  the  title 
of  the  act:  ''1st  and  2nd  Victoria,  chap.  56,  section  51,  relating  to 
Ireland  only.^^    I  quote  a  few  of  the  marginal  notes ; 

Guardicins  may  assist  inmates  of  workhouses  to  emigrate;  guardians  may  also 

issist  persons  who  are  not  inmates  of  workhouses  to  emigrate;  guardiaus  may  assist 

I  landlords  to  assist  small  tenants  to  emigrate;  guardians  may  apply  money  in  their 

Ihjinds  or  borrow  on  security  of  rates  for  expenses  of  emigration.     The  emigrants 

noay  go  either  to  the  British  colonies  or  possessions  or  to  any  foreign  state. 

In  the  statistics  of  emigration  by  boards  of  guardians,  attached  to  said 


252    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

act,  1  find  that  under  the  act  of  1849  and  modified  act  of  1882,  12,4( 
persons  had  been  assisted  to  emigrate  up  to  March,  1889,  at  anexpeni 
of  £157,086  17s.  id.  Of  the  emigrants  5,486  were  men,  19,924  we: 
women,  and  16,99,3  were  children  under  15  years  of  age.  I  also  find  : 
statistics  for  1889,  that  660  persons  were  assisted,  at  an  expenditure 
£1,035  Ss.  lOd,  Of  this  number,  531  were  sent  to  the  United  State 
82  to  the  Argentine  Republic,  35  to  Australia,  11  to  Canada,  and  1 1 
New  Zealand.  In  1890,  467  persons  were  assisted  at  an  expenditm 
from  the  poor  rates  of  £835  Ss.  9d.  Four  hundred  and  twenty- five  • 
these  were  sent  to  the  United  States,  29  to  Australia,  and  13  to  Canad 
In  the  report  of  the  local  government  board  for  Ireland,  being  the  nin 
teenth  report  under  the  local  government  board  of  Ireland  (Act  35  an 
36,  Vic,  ch.  69),  addressed  to  his  excellency,  lord  lieutenant-general  ao 
general  governor  of  Ireland,  Dublin,  May  15,  1891,  on  page  17,  und< 
the  heading:  "Emigration,"  I  find  this  statement: 

Since  the  date  of  our  last  report  a  grant  was  made  under  the  arrears  of  rent  (Ir 
land)  act,  1882,  and  the  trauiAvays  and  public  companies  (Ireland)  act,  1883,  amoirn 
ing  to  £56  16s.  id.,  to  the  board  of  guardians  of  Ballina  Union,  to  assist  in  defrayii 
the  cost  of  the  emigration  of  a  family  of  10  persons  to  the  United  States. 

In  same  report  I  find  a  series  of  recent  statistics  with  one  addition; 
year  added,  showing  tlie  number  of  persons  assisted  by  board  of  gua 
dians  to  emigrate  under  the  provision  of  the  Irish  i)oor  relief  act,  an 
the  cost  incurred  for  that  purpose  in  each  year,  that  is  to  say,  for 
forty  one  years  ending  March  25,  1891. 

In  that  table  I  find  that  in  1890  and  1891  there  were  1,024  persor 
.assisted  to  emigrate,  which,  added  to  the  42,405  previously  mentione( 
makes  a  total  of  43,429  persons  assisted  by  the  board  of  guardiar| 
since  1851.  Taking  their  own  fignres  for  1890,  we  find  that  we  receive! 
91  per  cent  of  the  number  sent  over  in  that  year.  Taking  this  asp 
basis  we  find  that  of  the  43,429  sent  over  in  the  past  forty-one  yeaij 
39,520  of  their  paupers  were  sent  to  the  United  States. 

The  figures  given  do  not  include  the  thousands  aided  by  such  fundi 
as  the  "James  H.  Tuke  fund,"  which  is  assisted  by  a  grant  from  thi 
Government,  and  the  Irish  female  emigration  fund  of  Belfast.  Botli  ( 
these  funds  assisted  a  great  many  young  persons  who  have  aged  reL 
tives  dependent  upon  them,  thus  paving  the  way  for  the  older  ones  t 
follow.  The  act  and  statistics  referred  to  and  a  partial  list  of  the  em 
gration-aid  societies  and  their  obje(5ts  accompany  this  report.  In  sam 
exhibit  will  be  found  the  laws  governing  the  boards  of  guardians  (j 
England  and  Wales  only.  Under  these  acts  the  boards  of  guardian! 
have  the  same  power  of  emigrating  paupers  as  have  the  Irish  board: 
of  guardians,  except  as  to  destination.  Will  quote  one  section  in  ful 
which  I  think  will  explain  the  difference  very  clearly.  The  section  ' 
as  follows: 

In  consequence  of  representations  which  have  been  made  by  the  Government  cj 
the  United  States,  the  board  feel  themselves  precluded  from  sanctioning  any  expent 
iture  from  the  poor  rates  in  connection  with  emigration  to  that  country.  Tb 
board  have  in  some  instances  sanctioned,  in  the  case  of  emigrants  whose  passag 
money  had  been  provided  for  them,  payment  by  the  guardians  of  the  cost  of  convejj 
ance  to  the  port  of  embarkation.  No  such  expenditure  by  the  guardians  is  no^j 
sanctioned  by  the  board.  It  may  be  mentioued  tliat  under  an  act  of  Congress  passe " 
in  1882  passengers  arriving  in  the  United  States  are  required  to  be  examined,  audi 
on  such  examination  there  is  found  any  person  unable  to  take  care  of  himself  witl 
out  becoming  a  public  charge  he  is  not  permitted  to  land. 


A  comparison  between  the  ten  years  ending  1879  and  the  same  num 
ber  of  years  ending  1889  shows  that  during  the  latter  period  emigra 


1 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    253 

.1 1  tion  from  the  ports  of  the  United  Kingdom  to  British  North  America 
'  increased  over  160,000. 

In  speaking  of  emigration  aid  societies  in  London,  two  are  especially 
i  deserving  of  mention,  one  entitled  the  Jewish  Board  of  Guardians  and 
'  1]  tlie  other  the  Jew  Emigration  Society.  Of  this  last-named  associa- 
iH  tion  Leopold  de  liothschild  is  president.  In  the  report  ofthetirst- 
i  I  named  society  for  1890  it  is  sliown  that  tliey  helped  away  621  cases, 
li  comi)rising  1,004  persons.  One  hundred  and  forty-four  of  these  cases 
t  j  were  sent  to  tlie  United  States.  In  1888  tlie  latter  society  helped, 
K  \  chiefly  to  the  United  States,  268  persons,  and  since  the  foundation  of 
L  \  the  society  7,090  i)ersons  have  been  assisted.  I  also  attach  to  this  re- 
i  i  port  the  rei)orts  of  several  of  these  societies  visited  by  me,  in  nearly 
i  every  one  of  which  it  will  be  found  that  they  have  assisted  numbers 
to  the  United  States. 

On  Sunday,  Kovember  1,  Mr.  Schulties  and  I  attended  a  meeting 
in  Liveipool  convened  by  the  Liverpool  committee  of  the  fund  in  aid 
of  the  Russo- Jewish  fugitives.  From  the  opening  address  of  the  chair- 
man of  tlie  meeting  I  take  an  extract  to  show  that  the  people  are  alive 
to  the  necessity  for  energetic  action  on  their  part  in  directing  this  im- 
(  I  mense  influx  of  foreigners  across  the  Atlantic  to  this  country.     Said  he  ; 

''  I     Foars  have  been  expressed  in  various  quarters  that  large  mimbers  of  these  vi^ill 
''  I  find  their  wa^y  to  this  country,  and  so  swell  the  already  conn^estod  labor  market  in 
5  jj  London  and  the  provincial  cities.     The  Russo-Jewisli  eomnuttee  of  London,  the  cen- 
!  tral  body  which  won  Id  have  the  administration  of  the  funds,  has  strenuously  and 
ener<z;etically  op])osed  for  months  past  any  emigration  to  tliis  country  whatever. 
'  They  have  done  this  by  ])ublic  advertising  in  all  the  continental  centers,  by  special 
n  notice  to  tlie  Ibreign  Jewisli  committees,  and  by  special  restrictioinn  granting  relief 
\i  j  money.     W'C  have  contributed  large  sums  of  money  to  the  Hamburg  and  Berlin  com- 
mittees for  tlie  purpose  of  preventhig  any  emigration  to  this  country,  and,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  I  have  high  authority  for  stating  that  very  few  have  reached  or  will 
reach  our  shores. 

I  also  quote  from  a  speech  made  by  Mr.  B.  L.  Benas,  one  of  the 
speakers  at  that  meeting,  as  follows: 

The  object  of  the  fund  is  (and  I  have  spoken  to  the  chief  rabbi,  Mr.  Nathan  Joseph, 

on  the  subject)  to  direct  the  stream  of  emigration  and  to  prevent  it  flowing  to  the 

;  manufacturing  districts  of  England.     Tlie  people  of  this  country  nobly  assisted  the 

'refugees  of  nine  years  ago,  who  are  now  happily  situated  in  flourishing  positions 

■   Und  are  educating  their  children  and  holding  up  their  heads  as  freemen  in  the 

^  United  States. 

In  all  of  the  large  cities  and  towns  there  are  societies  entitled  ''  dis- 
charged prisonerts'  aid  societies."  They  have  for  their  object  the 
assisting  of  those  who  are  discharged  from  the  prisons  of  that  country. 
The  object  is  no  doubt  a  worthy  one  and  may  work  beneficially  for  the 
United  Kingdom,  but  its  beneficial  effects  are  not  likely  to  extend  to 
the  countries  to  which  they  send  their  ex-convicts.  While  in  the  office 
of  one  of  these  societies,  the  Royal  Society  for  the  Assistance  of  Dis- 
icharged  Prisoners,  32  Charing  Cross,  London,  SW.,  which  is  one  of 
j  sixty-nine  societies  having  the  same  objects  in  view,  Commissioner 
Schulteis  and  1  were  shown  a  letter  from  one  of  the  j)risoners  who  liad 
;been  sent  to  the  United  States  in  May,  1891,  in  which  the  writer,  after 
itlianking  the  society  for  tlie  aid  extended  to  him  in  paying  his  passage, 
jdescribed  the  difficulties  he  had  experienced  in  getting  his  money  order, 
|which  they  had  given,  him  cashed.  He  stated  that  the  clerk  in  the  post- 
office  refused  to  cash  the  order  until  he  was  identified,  and  that  he 
iurnished  him  with  a  blank  which  he  took  to  the  steamship  office,  ex- 
pecting that  they  wonld  identify  him.  This  they  refused  to  do.  On  his 
Iway  back  to  the  post-office  he  copied  the  name  of  the  firm  from  over  a 
II.  Kx,  »7 5s« 


254    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


1 


shop  door,  presented  the  ideiitilicatioo  to  the  clerk  in  the  i)ost-office,  and  I 
received  his  money,  thus  committing  a  forgery  immediately  on  hisi 
arrival  in  the  United  States.    The  officer  of  the  society  informed  us 
that  the  reason  why  they  gave  money  orders  to  the  ex-prisoners  instead 
of  cash  was  because  experience  had  demonstrated  that  money  given  tc 
such  persons  was  usually  spent  on  shipboard,  and  that  those  whc 
lauded  penniless  were  liable  to  be  sent  back  as  paui^ers.    They  inangu 
rated  this  plan  of  giving  money  orders  in  order  to  secure  the  assisted 
discharged  x^risoner  in  the  j)ossession  of  enough  to  remove  the  impres 
sion  that  he  was  a  pauper.     We  also  learned  that  the  orders  were  drawn 
at  Charing  Cross  Station,  London,  and  that  H.  B.  Buchanan  was  thc| 
remitter.    On  returning  to  the  United  States  we  followed  up  the  clew.i 
and,  with  the  assistance  of  the  Post-Ofiice  Department,  we  found  thai 
this  society  sent  over  seven  persons  during  the  months  of  April,  May. 
and  June,  1891.    Two  of  the  money  orders  were  paid  in  Wilmington. 
Del.,  on  May  8;    one  in  Baltimore,  May  8;  two  in   New  York — om 
April  11,  1891,  the  other  June  25, 1891.     Of  the  other  two,  one  was  paic 
in  Chicago,  111.,  May  23,  and  the  other  in  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  June  27 
1891. 

I  procured  the  reports  of  several  of  these  societies,  and  from  one  o] 
them  I  quote  from  the  remarks  made  by  Lord  Leigh  in  moving  that  on( 
of  the  reports  be  adopted : 

It  gives  me  the  greatest  possible  pleasure  to  be  present  at  this  meeting,  for  I  con 
sider  the  society  one  of  the  most  useful  in  existence.  I  feel  that  our  thanks  are  par 
ticularly  due  to  the  chaplain,  whose  services  as  honorable  secretary'  were  of  sucl 
value.  The  diminution  of  crime  in  the  country  is  due  in  a  yreai  measure  to  the  Di^\ 
charged  Prisoners^  Aid  Society,  coupled  with  kindred  societies,  such  as  reformatory  an< 
industrial  schools.  *  *  *  With  regard  to  emigration,  I  think  it  is  one  of  the  bes 
means  of  bringing  about  the  desired  results.  ] 

Another  speaker,  in  seconding  the  resolutions,  said  ''that  it  was  veri 
desirable  that  the  public  should  know  of  the  usefulness  of  the  dis 
charged  prisoners'  aid  societies  and  their  emigration  schemes  ought  t 
meet  with  the  generous  support  of  the  city  and  district."  Anothe 
member  said  ''that  the  emigration  part  of  the  work  was  an  eviden 
success,  and  he  earnestly  trusted  that  the  appeal  would  be  readily  re 
sponded  to." 

Desirous  of  ascertaining  why  the  thanks  of  the  society  should  h" 
tendered  to  the  chaplain  referred  to  by  Lord  Leigh,  I  called  at  tlie  offiC' 
of  the  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society  to  make  inquiry,  and  foim*' 
that  the  chaplain  in  question  had  accompanied  the  discharged  prisor. 
ers  to  Liverpool,  purchased  tickets  for  them,  and  saw  them  safely  o 
board  the  ship.  In  order  that  the  exact  destination  of  these  prisoner; 
might  be  known,  I  called  at  the  residence  of  the  chax)lain,  but  owin,. 
to  illness  he  could  not  be  interviewd.  ' 

Each  of  these  prisoners'  aid  societies  makes  a  yearly  report,  in  wide 
the  number  of  discharged  prisoners  who  have  been  assisted  to  emigrat 
is  given.  These  reports  are  not  always  accessible,  and  inquiry  at  tb- 
office  of  one,  with  headquarters  at  Dublin,  developed  the  fact  that  se\ 
enteen  released  prisoners  had  been  sent  direct  to  the  United  State 
during  the  year  ending  March  25,  1891.  All  over  England  societies fb' 
the  assistance  of  child  emigration  flourish.  The  report  of  these  soci(' 
ties  show  that  hundreds  of  children  are  sent  to  America  each  yea: 
The  boards  of  guardians  send  many  hundreds  of  poor  children  to  Amej' 
ica  annually.  The  greater  number  find  their  way  to  Canada,  but  one 
they  sail  fi^om  England  there  is  no  attempt,  or  practically  no  attemp 
made  to  keep  trace  of  them.    The  distance  across  the  Line  is  so  shoi 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    255 

tliat  we  maybe  sure  that  large  numbers  of  tbem  eventually  find  their  way 
to  the  United  States.  At  a  conference  recently  held,  the  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, deploring  the  fact  that  these  children  had  been  neglected,  said: 

In  the  last  three  years  about  five  hundred  children  had  been  sent  out  to  Canada  by 
the  boards  of  guardians.  How  many  of  these  poor  little  atoms  of  mortality  do  we 
know  anything  of  now  from  information  supplied  on  the  other  side?  Only  twenty- 
six;  that  fact  speaks  for  itself. 

In  another  office  at  which  I  called  for  the  purpose  of  getting  reports, 
I  was  met  with  the  answer : 

You  are  from  the  United  States ;  we  do  not  print  any  reports ;  we  do  not  give  any 
information ;  we  do  not  let  any  prisoners  from  our  doors  without  assistance,  and  if 
one  of  them  becomes  President  of  the  United  States  you  will  never  be  the  wiser. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  numbers  of  discharged  pris- 
oners are  assisted  to  emigrate,  and  that  the  United  States  gets  more 
than  her  share  of  them. 

In  the  city  of  Bordeaux,  France,  I  was  informed  by  the  United  States 
consul,  that  a  great  many  girls  were  being  taken  to  New  York  and  JSTew 
Orleans  for  immoral  purposes.  He  said  that  the  steamship)  Chateau 
JEquem,  which  sailed  from  Bordeaux  for  New  York  about  the  middle 
of  March,  1891,  carried  between  30  and  40  girls  who  knew  that  they 
were  being  taken  for  that  purpose.  Mr.  Davis,  agent  of  the  Pacific 
Steam  and  Navigation  Company,  No.  1  Pave  Des  Ohartrous,  Bordeaux, 
furnishes  me  with  a  list  of  names  of  men  engaged  in  this  traffic,  who  had 
been  to  Bordeaux.  This  statement  was  not  called  forth  by  any  refer- 
ence of  mine  to  the  subject.  He  furthermore  stated  that  the  men  rep- 
resented themselves  as  hailing  from  South  America,  but  were  known 
to  have  taken  the  girls  to  the  United  States.  The  following  is  the  list 
of  names  furnished  me:  Morritz  Montiganer,  Leib  Gref,  David  Schwartz, 

Goldberg, Narrovitz,  Marcus  Moses,  Moses  Leiber,  and 

Kohn  Jacob. 

An  inspection  of  the  manifest  of  the  steamer  Chateau  Uquem  arrived 
in  New  York  March  14, 1891,  on  file  in  the  barge  office,  and  sworn  to  by 

I  theca])taiii,  discloses  the  fact  that  only  eight  females  were  on  board  on 
that  trip,  three  of  whom  were  married  and  accompanied  by  their  hus- 
bands, and  three  w  ere  children  under  13  years  of  age.  The  day  I  ar- 
rived in  New  York  from  Europe  I  learned  the  above,  and  did  not  intend 
referring  to  the  matter  in  my  report,  considering  it  to  be  a  sample  of 

j  the  wild  rumors  we  sometimes  get  from  Europe. 

A  few  days  later  I  was  surprised  at  reading  the  story  in  a  prominent 

j  New  York  daily,  worded  in  such  a  way  as  to  give  the  public  the  im- 
pression that  I  originated  the  story.     I  have  therefore  deemed  it  ad- 
visable to  place  the  matter  in  my  report  and  give  my  autliority  for  the 
same. 
Fifth.  The  extent  to  wliich  and  manner  in  which,  if  at  all,  the  steam- 

j  ship  or  other  transportation  companies,  or  their  agents,  inquire  into 

i  the  character  or  condition  of  intended  emigrants,  with  a  view  to  reject- 
ing those  who  come  within  the  classes  excluded  by  the  laws  of  the 
United  States,  and  generally  what  checks,  if  any,  are  applied  in  Europe 
to  the  emigration  to  tliis  country  of  members  of  the  prohibited  classes. 
On  July  22  and  24  I  witnessed  the  embarkation   of  steerage  passen- 

i  gers  at  Liverpool  by  two  of  the  leading  lines,  the  White  Star  and  the 
Guion  lines.  I  could  not  see  that  there  was  any  inquiry  made  into 
the  character  or  condition  of  the  intended  emigrants  witli  a  view  to 
excluding  those  prohibited  by  law  from  landing  in  the  United  States. 
The  medical  inspection  was  only  in  regard  to  contagious  diseases,  and 
intended  to  apply  to  the  safety  of  the  steamship  only.    At  a  conference 


256    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

of  the  commissioners  with  the  owners  and  agents  of  the  steam  si 
lines,  held  in  the  office  of  the  White  Star  line  on  July  23,  the  sta 
ment  was  made  by  one  of  the  steamship  agents  that  on  account  of  t 
English  laws  they  were  precluded  from  inquiring  too  closely  into  t 
character  of  the  emigrants  for  fear  of  action  for  slander.     At  that  cc 
fereiice  the  lines  represented  agreed  to  be  more  careful  in  the  futu   ff-^ 
All  the  ticket  agents  to  whom  I  spoke  on  this  subject  frankly  admitt     ^ 
that  it  was  not  to  their  interest  to  inquire  too  closely  into  the  charact    :; 
or  pecuniary  condition  of  the  intending  emi grant  j  that  to  them  he  si 
ply  represented  so  many  shillings  as  commission. 

The  steamship  California  was  billed  to  sail  for  Naples  on  Septem 
29,  or  thereabouts.  In  company  with  Commissioner  Scliul  ties,  I  observ 
the  movements  of  the  officials  for  some  three  days  before  she  saik 
Through  courtesy  of  Mr.  James  Ord,  son  of  Gen.  Ord,  U.  S.  Army,  w 
was  to  sail  on  that  steamer,  we  were  enabled  to  get  on  board,  and 
his  guests  we  were  accorded  i>rivileges  we  would  not  otherwise  h 
been  permitted  to  enjoy.  The  authorities  of  the  steamshix),  not  kn 
ing  who  we  were  and  what  our  mission  was,  took  no  exception  to 
mingling  with  the  passengers  before  inspection  began.  When  the  i; 
spection  began  we  took  seats  on  the  poop  deck  where  we  could  obser 
all  that  transpired.  We  noticed  that  the  inspection  was  conducted  1 
a  couple  of  police  officers  and  four  or  live  steamship  ticket  agents ;  t 
the  officers  of  the  ship  did  not  appear  to  take  any  iiiterest  whatever, 
the  inspection,  and  that  there  was  no  medical  inspection  or  examinati 
attempted.  The  one  object  of  the  police  officers  appeared  to  be 
detect  all  who  might  be  able  to  perform  military  duty,  while  the  sol 
itor  of  the  steamship  ticket  agents  went  no  farther  than  the  securii 
of  their  fees.  About  an  hour  and  a  half  after  the  inspection  bega 
Si)ecial  Commissioner  Cross,  Mr.  Twells,  the  United  States  consul,  ai 
Mr.  Holmes,  agent  for  the  Anchor  line,  came  on  board.  As  soon 
they  aiDpeared,  a  table  was  si)read  and  a  young  man  commenced  to  vs 
cinate  the  passengers.  We  were  not  able  to  determine  whether  he  w 
a  physician  or  not.  This  was  the  only  attempt  at  a  medical  examiu 
tion  that  we  saw  on  board  that  steamshii). 

During  the  course  of  the  insi)ection  one  of  the  police  officers  object 
to  two  passengers,  one  of  whom  he  said  had  been  in  jail  thirteen  out 
the  last  fifteen  years.    The  officers  said  ''that  they  are  not  the 
mentioned  in  the  passport  or  that  they  had  false  passports,"  but  t 
were  let  go  on  account  of  the  persuasion  of  one  of  the  ticket  age 
Mr.  Cimmino,  who  said  '^  he  would  be  responsible  for  all  damagea 
they  were  sent  back."    As  a  result  of  our  investigation  of  the  steai 
ship  California,  we  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  steam sb 
companies,  particularly  the  Anchor  Line,  do  not  make  any  medic 
Inspection,  trusting  to  the  chance  of  the  men  getting  through  t] 
barge  office  in  New  York  without  being  detected. 

Commissioner  Cross  afterwards  informed  me  that  on  the  day  be 
he  had  made  an  arrangement  with  Consul  Twells  and  Steamship  Ag 
Holm  to  meet  at  Mr.  Holm's  office  at  11  o'clock  a.  m.  on  the  2 
for  the  purpose  of  going  on  board  the  steamship  California  to  witne 
the  embarkation  of  the  steerage  passengers  and  to  take  note  of  t 
manner  of  conducting  the  inspection  of  the  same.  He  stated  that  '. 
was  there  at  the  appointed  time,  but  that  Mr.  Holm  was  absent  ai 
had  left  word  that  2  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  would  be  a  more  suitatj 
time  to  go  aboard  the  steamer. 

The  United  States  consul  at  Palermo,  Mr.  Pugli,  informed  us  < 
October  5  that  he  had  issued  to  the  owners  and  agents  of  steamsh 


3 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    257 


3ompanies  and  to  the   chief  of  police  of  Palermo  a  list  of  questions 

similar  to  those  to  which  we  were  endeavoring  to  obtain  answers.    The 

questions  were  sent  out  during  the  month  of  May,  and  up  to  that  time 

ae  had  received  no  answers  to  them.     He  informed  us  that  it  would  be 

'Impossible  to  secure  this  information  through  such  channels,  that  even 

3he  best  citizens  would  not  give,  and  that  they  would  deceive  us  if  we 

ipphed  10  them.     He  also  stated  that  the  Mafia  society  had  extended 

Its  ramifications  everywhere  throughout  the  island,  and  that  through  its 

'nfluence  the  lips  of  those  who  could  give  information  were  i)ractically 

i^jealed.    He  furthermore  stated  that  his  vice-consul  or  chief  clerk  was 

''iitlier  the  son  or  nephew  of  one  of  the  owners  of  the  Florio-Eubbattino 

,  Steamship  line.    This  steamship  line  contributed  largely  to  the  revenues 

.;j)f  the  Italian  Government.     The  commander  of  the   Croivn  of  Italy, 

j;  jruiseppe  Orlando,  is  the  general  agent  for  the  line.     With  the  agent 

)f  an  Italian  steamship  company,  for  he  is  practically  an  agent,  in  the 

^'bosition  of  vice  consul  to  the  United  States,  it  need  not  be  wondered 

"it  that  no  answers  were  received  to  the  inquiries  sent  out  by  Mr.  Pugh. 

' '[  was  convinced  while  in  Mr.  Pugh's  office  that  the  vice-consul,  his 

'ihief  clerk,  could  have  given  accurate  answers  to  his  queries  had  he 

jeen  so  disposed. 

Sixth.  The  extent  to  which  such  a  preliminary  inquiry  by  tramspor- 
^  nation  companies,  or  their  agents  in  Europe,  can  be  made  effective  by 
.voluntary  cooperation  of  the  companies  and  the  best  method  of  carry- 
ng  it  out.  In  this  connection  it  is  suggested  that  you  confer  as  far  as 
jouvenient  with  owners  and  agents  of  steamship  lines  at  the  principal 
ports  of  Europe. 

''^  While  the  voluntary  cooperation  of  the  steamship  companies  in  inves- 
•^bigating  the  characters  of  intending  emigrants  is  among  the  possibili- 
'  ;ies,  there  is  no  probability  of  its  ever  becoming  operative.     The  aim 
)f  every  steamship  company  is  to  make  money;  the  money  is  made  in 
jarrying  passengers;  the  more  passengers  the  more  money,  and  it  is 
lot  at  all  likely  that  any  of  the  companies  now  engaged,  or  that  may 
'  lereafter  engage  in  the  carrying  trade,  will  voluntarily  cooperate  with 
mr  Government  in  stemming  the  undesirable  stream  of  immigration  that 
las  been  swollen  in  no  small  degree  by  the  efforts  of  these  Yery  steam- 
ibi})  companies.     Were  these  steamship  companies  owned  by  Ameri- 
cans the  element  of  patriotism  might  be  appealed  to,  but  even  then 
'mch  cooperation  as  might  be  secured  would  have  to  be  enforced  by  the 
Wst  rigid  rules  and  laws. 

"  With  somewhere  in  the  neighborhood  of  four  thousand  agents,  sub- 
'  Vgents,  and  runners,  scouring  the  south  of  Italy,  for  we  get  but  few 
]rom  the  north,  each  one  anxious  to  make  a  commission  on  the  human 
Teight  he  can  land  on  the  deck  of  the  vessel,  it  is  not  likely  that  the 
''teimship  companies,  by  whom  the  agents  were  appointed,  Avill  volun- 
tarily consent  to  reduce  their  profits.     On  returning  to  the  United 
States  I  made  it  my  business  to  trace  the  prepaid  passage  business  and 
'  :iave  disc-overed  that  all  through  the  anthracite  coal  fields  the  tickets 
*•  ")f  these  steamship  companies  are  for  sale  in  coal  offices,  retail  stores, 
lind  (corner  groceries.    This  could  not  be  done  without  the  knowledge 
W  consent  of  the  steamship  companies;  were  it  otherwise  the  tickets 
.^bus  sold  would  not  be  honored  when  j^resented  by  the  emigrant.     The 
febct  that  numerous  discharged  prisoners'  aid  societies  exist  throughout 
'jreat  Britain  and  that  they  send  large  numbers  of  discharged  pris- 
niers  to  this  country  is  well  known  to  the  agents  of  the  sceamship 
onipanies.     When  it  is  known  that  an  emigrant  is  not  in  possession  of 
uiy  money,  that  his  ticket  has  been  purchased  for  him,  that  confidence 
H.  Ex.  235 17 


258    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

can  not  be  reposed  in  liim  sufficient  to  intrnst  bim  witli  a  small  amount 
of  money  instead  of  a  money  order,  it  should  be  evidence  enougli  to 
prove  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  steamship  company  that  such  a  person 
would  not  make  a  very  desirable  applicant  for  the  honors  of  American 
citizenship,  and  to  assert  that  such  persons  are  carried  without  the 
knowledge  of  the  steamship  companies  is  to  assert  that  they  do  not 
understand  their  business. 

While  in  Liverpool  I  visited  an  emigrant  boarding  house,  and  found 
two  families  representing  eleven  persons  with  a  capital  of  but  $2.40  be- 
tween them.     These  poor  people  were  to  sail  on  one  of  the  Allan  Line  ; 
steamships  for  Quebec,  where  they  would  be  permitted  to  land  without  i 
question.    It  may  have  been  that  fear  of  a  return  of  these  passengers 
from  the  United  States  prevented  the  sending  of  them  to  IS'ew  York.  I 
If  the  steamship  companies  will  (ionsent  to  voluntary  cooperation  in  j 
preventing  undesirable  emigrants  from  taking  passage  for  this  country,  ' 
it  will  not  prevent  them  from  sending  them  to  Canada,  from  which 
country  they  can  readily  gain  admittance  to  the  United  States. 

Seventh.  Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effec- 
tive system  of  examinations  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  con-  j 
suls  in  foreign  countries,  or  officers  under  their  direction,  together  with  \ 
the  i)i'obable  costs  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if  adopted.  | 

The  time  allowed  the  Commission  of  Immigration  was  so  limited  that  \ 
sucvh  an  inspection  of  methods  as  would  be  satisfactory  could  not  be  j 
made.     In  order  to  arrive  at  correct  conclusions  it  would  be  necessary  j 
to  spend  weeks  where  days  only  were  allowed,  and  as  a  consequence  j 
opinions  ventured  can  not  be  based  on  the  result  of  a  very  intimate  ( 
acquaintace  with  the  subject.     As  a  result  of  my  tindings  I  would  not 
recommend  that  the  exaniination  of  intended  emigrants  be  made  either  ; 
by  United  States  consuls  or  under  those  directly  responsible  to  them. 
The  immigration  inspection  of  the  United  States  Government  should  , 
be  under  tlie  one  head;  those  engaged  in  it  should  be  in  direct  commu- 
nication with  each  other;  they  should  not  be  subject  to  the  delays  and 
consequent  annoyances  and  vexations  sure  to  follow  attempts  to  con- 
trol the  same  thing  through  different  agencies.     The  inspection  of 
those  seeking  admission  to  the  United  States,  whether  made  at  United 
States  ports  or  in  foreign  countries,  should  be  under  the  same  manage- 
ment and  guided  by  the  same  authority.     The  Argentine  and  Brazihau 
governments  are  desirous  of  directing  emigrants  to  their  shores  and 
have  agents  in  such  countries  as  send  emigrants  to  the  Argentine 
Republic  and  to  Brazil.     While  both  of  these  countries  are  anxious  to 
further  immigration,  they  are  not  willing  to  accept  all  who  knock  for  , 
admission,  and  the  most  rigid  scrutiny  is  exercised  by  their  agents 
abroad. 

In  Italy  and  France  a  record  is  kept  of  every  person  born  or  resident 
in  either  country.     The  date  of  birth,  name  of  parents,  place  of  birth, 
character,  and  such  other  matter  or  thing  as  may  affect  the  standing  of 
the  native  are  recorded  in  the  municipality,  and  unless  the  intending 
emigrant  can  i)roduce  a  certificate,  showing  that  he  has  never  been  con-  | 
victed  of  a  crime;  that  he  is  of  good  character,  and  that  he  is  of  sound  I 
health,  he  will  not  be  permitted  to  embark.     When  the  emigrant  sails 
for  either  the  Argentine  Eepublic  or  Brazil,  he  carries  with  him  thecer-  ^ 
tificate  of  the  agent  of  the  country  to  which  he  emigrates.     Without 
such  certificate  he  will  not  be  permitted  to  land  and  the  steamslii]) 
companies,  knowing  the  regulations  and  laws  of  these  countries,  will 
not  accept  as  a  passenger  anyone  who  does  not  produce  the  certificate  i 
above  referred  to.     Such  a  system  as  that  would  be  preferable  to  one  ! 


ENFOECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    259 

which  would  be  under  the  directiou  of  the  United  States  consuls,  and 
those  who  would  be  intrusted  with  so  important  a  mission  should  be 
held  responsible  for  the  character  of  those  whom  they  would  recom- 
mend as  worthy  of  admission  to  the  United  States.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  the  consul  himself,  the  consulate  in  each  country  I  visited  is 
generally  managed  by  those  who  are  natives  or  citizens  of  these  coun 
tries.  The  inner  workings  of  the  consulate  must  be  known  to  the  gov- 
ernments of  these  countries  and  steamship  agents  and  ticket-sellers 
would  always  be  in  position  to  know  of  everything  done  in  the  consu- 
late. Mr.  James  Fletcher,  United  States  consul  at  Genoa,  Italy^  ,n 
response  to  an  inquiiy  as  to  whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  .conduct 
examination  of  intending  emigrants  under  direction  of  the  consul  or 
by  special  agents  appointed  by  our  Government,  expressed  himself  in 
favor  of  the  latter  plan,  "because  they  would  be  individually  responsi- 
ble to  the  Government  and  could  not  cast  blame  on  the  easy-gomg 
ways,  or  the  rigidness  of  the  consuls,  whichever  the  case  might  be." 

The  probable  cost  of  such  a  system  of  examination  would  have  to  be 
determined  by  the  number  of  agents  and  the  compensation  allowed 
them.  All  the  work  should  be  done  by  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
and  only  wdiere  necessity  compelled  it  should  either  a  native  or  resident 
of  a  foreign  country  be  employed  in  any  country  sending  emigrants  to 
the  United  States.  Make  each  agent  so  appointed  directly  responsible 
to  his  superior  officer  in  this  country,  pay  him  a  fixed  salary,  and 
oblige  liim  to  issue  a  certificate  with  each  emigrant  embarking,  said 
certificate  to  be  based  on  the  record  of  the  person  named  on  its  face. 
In  addition  to  the  certificate  issued  to  the  emigrant,  he  should  be  re- 
quired to  answer  all  questions  now  propounded  at  the  Barge  Office  in 
'  New  York ;  the  agent  w^ould  then  have  a  record  of  these  questions,  and 
could  mail  a  duplicate  to  the  inspection  officers  in  New  York,  or  to  the 
officials  of  the  port  to  which  the  vessel  would  sail.  These  methods,  if 
adopted,  would  do  away  with  the  prompter,  who  invariably  takes  pas- 
sage with  every  large  batch  of  emigrants  from  a  foreign  port  for  the 
purpose  of  instructing  them  how"  to  answer  questions  on  landing  and 
to  escape  detection.  The  ofiicers  at  the  i^ort  of  entry,  having  a  dupli- 
cate of  the  answers  made  by  the  emigrants  before  sailing,  would  immp- 
diately  know  whether  instructions  had  been  given  them  on  shii)board 
'  when  the  same  questions  would  be  put  to  them  in  the  Barge  Office  or 
'  elsewhere.  By  this  means  the  double  examination  would  insure  cau- 
tion and  a  rigid  examination  of  emigrants  before  embarking. 

These  agents  would  not  be  required  at  every  foreign  port;  it  would 
only  be  necessary  to  assign  them  to  such  ports  as  ship  emigrants  to 
this  country. 

If  such  a  thing  as  the  establishment  of  a  system  of  inspection  on  the 
Canadian  border  can  be  successfully  accomplished  it  should  be  done  at 
once,  for  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  large  numbers  who  land  at  Cana- 
dian ports  find  their  way  into  the  United  States  in  a  very  short  time. 

VIII.  Whether  there  is  any  considerable  emigration  from  European 

countries  of  adult  males  unaccompanied  by  families  witli  the  purpose 

,  of  returning  to  Europe  after  a  limited  period,  and  whether  there  is  any 

'  considerable  return  movement  of  Europeans  who  have  once  settled  iu 

the  United  States ;  with  the  causes,  if  sucli  movements  exist. 

In  reference  to  this  question,  James  Tibbets,  steamship  agent,  33  A. 
Kensington  street,  Liverpool,  said  he  knew  of  a  great  many  artisans 
'  who  went  to  the  United  States  in  the  early  spring  of  each  year  to  work 
and  who  return  regnlarly  in  the  fall.  He  said  that  he  knew  of  one  lot 
of  masons  and  bricklayers,  about  fifty,  wdio  went  to  Boston  last  spring 
with  the  intention  of  working  all  summer  and  returniug  iu  the  faU; 


T 


260    ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


tliat  he  booked  a,  great  many  men  to  Boston,  Brooklyn,  and  Cleveland,  ,; 
and  that  when  he  booked  them  he  knew  that  it  was  their  intention  to  i 
return  at  the  end  of  the  summer's  work.  The  cause  which  he  assigned  j 
for  this  condition  of  affairs  was  that  in  the  United  States  high  wages  j 
prevail,  while  the  low  rates  of  passage  across  the  Atlantic  rendered  it  j 
possible  for  the  men  to  go  to  the  United  States  and  return,  pay  their  ] 
passage  both  ways,  and  still  earn  more  money  than  they  could  by  j 
remaining  at  home.  At  Glasgow,  Scotland,  from  information  received  ; 
from  the  various  shipping  offices,  I  found  that  about  four-fifths  of  the 
emigrants  who  leave  that  country  in  the  spring  return  again  in  the , 
fall.  This  statement  was  also  made  by  the  agents  to  Mr.  William  Gib- , 
son,  United  States  vice  and  deputy  consul,  and  will  be  found  in  a  letter  i 
which  he  addressed  to  me  on  the  29th  of  August,  1891.  , 

From  inquiries  directed  to  the  Board  of  TYade  office  in  London  and  i 
from  figures  furnished  me  by  clerks  in  said  office,  I  am  able  to  give  the  ^ 
total  number  of  passen  gers  landed  in  the  United  Kingdom  from  the  United 
States  for  the  nine  years — 1881  to  1889 — inclusive.     The  number  isj 
722,461,  and  of  these  370,697  were  British  and  Irish  who  returned  toj 
their  native  lands.    In  France,  at  Marseilles,  the  American  vice  and  i 
deputy  consul  said  that  he  noticed  a  returned  movement  of  Armenians] 
and  Turkish  Jews  who  had  been  to  the  United  States  and  been  natural- 1 
ized  citizens  of  the  same.    He  could  give  no  explanation  of  the  leturu; 
movement.    He  also  knew  a  number  of  Germans  who  did  the  samei 
thing,  but  said  that  the  Germans  remained  in  France  and  engaged  in 
business  there.    Persumably  residence  in  the  United  States  was  gained 
for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  American  methods  of  doing  business.] 
The  movement  was,  however,  of  very  small  proportions.  j 

Commissioner  Cross  states  in  his  report  that  the  owners  and  agentsj 
of  the  steamship  companies  witli  whom  he  conferred  on  the  subject  oif 
consular  inspection  of  intending  emigrants  opposed  it,  because  theyr 
said  "it  would  seriously  interfere  with  their  business,"  which  meansi 
that  inspection  in  Europe  will  restrict  emigration.  Some  of  the  consuls; 
in  their  replies  to  the  circular  letter  of  the  commissioners,  of  July  21.! 
1891,  also  say  that  such  inspection  will  restrict  emigration.  I  believe, 
that  all  of  the  commissioners  agreed  on  this  one  point,  that  is,  thalj 
inspection  of  intending  emigrants  in  Europe  will  restrict,  but  some  oi 
them  believe  that  it  will  be  the  desirable  emigrant  that  will  be  re-; 
stricted;  that  is,  the  young  men  liable  to  military  duty  in  his  owDi 
country.  ( 

My  observations  of  the  effects  of  unrestricted  emigration  in  Penni 
sylvania  convinced  me  that  some  other  standard  of  fitness  than  youtlj 
and  strength  should  be  adopted.  If  the  intending  emigrant  has  nolj 
the  means  wherewith  to  carry  him  beyond  the  already  congested  laboij 
market,  or  whose  intention  in  coming  here  is  to  compete  with  thf 
American  workmen  in  the  mines  and  factories,  and  by  the  closesi 
economy  and  meanest  way  of  living,  saving  in  a  few  years  a  couple  o: 
hundred  dollars  and  then  returning  to  his  own  country,  he  is  not  a  de 
si  table  acquisition,  and  some  plan  should  be  adopted  which  would  pre 
vent  this  being  done,  and  save  the  American  workmen  from  competi 
tion  with  this  class.  '  : 

That  tliis  kind  of  competition  is  ruinous  to  the  workmen  and  amenac< 
to  the  community  is  plain  to  the  most  casual  observer.  Go  to  the  coa" 
fields  of  Pennsylvania  and  see  the  towns  and  villages  which,  before  thi\ 
advent  of  this  foreign  horde,  were  inhabited  with  American  or  Englisl; 
speaking  people,  the  object  of  the  husband  and  father  being  to  eari' 
sufficient  to  provide  a  home  for  his  wife  and  family,  to  educate  his  chili 
dren,  and  teach  them  to  love  and  revere  the  American  institution. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    261 

To-day  all  tliis  is  clianged;  the  American  citizen  is  gone  and  tlie  home 
of  the  family  is  the  shelter  of  from  ten  to  twenty  men  with  one  or  two 
women  to  cook  and  wait  upon  them.  Go  to  any  of  the  individual 
mines,  notice  the  methods  of  the  owners  and  you  will  quickly  learn 
why  this  class  is  preferred  to  the  intelligent  American  workmen. 
You  will  be  told  that  the  price  per  ton  has  not  been  reduced  in  years 
and  that  the  cry  of  cheap  labor  is  false. 

While  it  is  true  the  price  per  ton  has  not  been  reduced,  the  pounds 
per  ton  have  been  increased,  and  the  miner  must  now  give  2,800  pounds 
for  a  ton,  and  in  addition  often  submit  to  a  dockage  of  500  or  1,000 
pounds  as  a  penalty  for  putting  into  the  car  a  few  shovels  of  culm  or 
slate.  Notice  the  fact  that  he  must  buy  his  mining  supplies  from  the 
company  he  works  for  and  pay  $3  for  a  keg  of  powder  which  costs  the 
company  $1.25,  pay  from  18  to  25  cents  for  a  gallon  of  oil  which  costs 
the  company  from  8  to  10  cents,  and  that  all  other  supplies  are  charged 
to  him  in  the  same  proportion  of  profit,  and  you  will  quickly  realize 
that  the  company  have  an  easy  way  of  reducing  wages. 

Then  note  that  at  all  the  individual  mines  a  company  store  is  run,  in 
violatiou  of  the  laws  of  the  State,  at  which  all  men  who  work  for  the  com- 
pany must  buy  their  goods.  Procure  one  of  the  workmen's  pass  books 
and  compare  the  pi'ices  charged  thereon  with  prices  of  same  article  in 
independent  stores  and  you  will  find  another  means  of  reducing  Avages. 
Also  notice  that  the  manager  or  chief  clerk  of  the  store  is  the  agent  of 
several  steamship  lines,  thereby  providing  a  ready  means  of  keeping 
a  surplus  of  cheap  labor  on  hand  by  selling  steamship  tickets  to  the 
workmen  to  send  to  friends  in  Europe,  upon  which  they  pay  so  much 
per  month,  as  may  be  agreed  upon  between  them.  As  soon  as  the  im- 
migrant arrives  heis  given  work  by  the  company,  even  though  English- 
speaking  workmen  have  to  remain  idle,  the  immigrant  in  many  cases 
paying  a  much  greater  sum  for  the  ticket  than  the  man  who  sent  it  to 
him  originally  paid.  That  there  is  some  division  of  the  difference  be- 
tween the  original  price  of  the  ticket  and  the  amount  paid  by  the  poor, 
ignorant  immigrant  is  evident. 

The  violation  of  another  law  of  Pennsylvania  (that  is  the  semi- 
monthly pay  law)  protects  the  manager  or  clerk  who  sells  the  tickets 
from  loss,  because  the  workmen  always  have  from  seventeen  to  nine- 
teen days'  wages  earned  before  they  get  paid  for  what  they  earned  in 
the  preceding  month.  Because  the  American  workmen  have  opposed 
the  methods  I  have  described  and  agitated  for  reforms  in  the  laws,  and 
for  the  enforcement  of  already-existing  laws,  he  is  being  gradually 
driven  from  the  coal  fields;  and,  unless  some  restriction  is  placed  upon 
emigration,  it  will  not  be  long  until  the  few  who  remain  will  have  to 
come  down  to  the  standard  of  the  Slovaks,  or,  to  put  it  in  the  words  of 
an  American  gentleman  I  met  in  Italy,  who  is  well  informed  on  the  sub- 
ject of  emigration  and  foresees  the  effect  which  a  continuation  of  it  will 
have  on  the  American  workman : 

If  emigration  is    not  restricted,  the  American  workman  will  have  to  come  dowu^ 
from  his  extravagant  standard,  and  be  content  with  one  room  for  himself,   wife, 
and  children,  in  which  to  live,  eat,  and  sleep,  and,  perhaps,  with  Jack  in  the  Cor- 
ner. 

The  above  is  a  correct  report  of  my  findings,  all  of  which  is  respect- 
fully submitted,  and  transmitted  through  the  chairman  of  the  commis- 
sion (Hon.  J.  B.  Weber). 

Very  respectfully,  Joseph  Powderly, 

Member  of  Commission, 
Hon.  Charles  P'oster, 
Secretary  of  the  Interior. 


REPORT  OF  COMMISSIONER  H.  J.  SCHULTEIS. 


January  19,  1892. 

Sm :  In  accordance  witli  your  appointment  of  June  17,  1891,  and 
printed  instructions  dated  June  18,  1891,  I  have  the  honor  to  respect- 
fully submit  the  following  report  in  reference  to  the  causes  which  oper- 
ate, in  the  several  countries  of  Europe,  to  incite  emigration  to  this 
couutry. 

These  causes  chiefly  appear  to  be: 

(1)  The  eftbrts  of  emigration  aid  societies,  supplemented  by  associa- 
tions, public  and  private,  for  aiding  criminals  and  jiaupers  to  emigrate. 

(2)  The  increased  facilities,  speed,  and  profits  of  alien  steamship  and 
transportation  companies,  who  through  their  numerous  agents  adver- 
tise the  marvelous  beauty  of  this  country,  the  high  rate  of  wages  that 
range  here  for  labor,  and  the  alleged  quantities  of  land  that  can  be  had 
gratis  from  tne  Government,  and  thus  make  an  impression  on  persons 
who  do  not  own  and  can  not,  in  reason,  expect  to  secure  the  homes  in 
which  they  live. 

(3)  The  contract-labor  importers,  who  induce  emigration  for  the  sake 
of  cheap  labor. 

These  causes  will  operate  to  increase  emigration  in  the  future  in  pro- 
portion as  economic  conditions  grow  worse  on  the  other  side.  The  cen- 
tralization of  land  and  money  in  the  hands  of  a  nonproducing  aristoc- 
racy will  gradually  force  whole  populations  to  emigrate,*  and  countries 
more  favorably  situated  are  now  taking  steps  to  protect  themselves 
against  pauper  invasion.  The  alarm  of  the  English  people  at  the  influx 
of  foreigners  has  been  increased  by  the  protective  measures  of  Austra- 
lia and  the  United  States  until  Parliament  has  instituted  thorough 
investigations  into  the  congested  districts,  which  have  resulted  in  revela- 
tions of  facts  well  calculated  to  startle  those  who  have  given  attention 
to  the  subject  on  either  side  of  the  water.  I  herewith  transmit  a  re- 
port of  select  committee  of  House  of  Commons  concerning  emigration 
and  immigration  (foreigners),  1888. 

On  arrival  at  Liverpool  Commissioner  Powderly  and  I  addressed 
ourselves  to  the  investigation  of  the  sources  which  induce  immigration 
to  the  United  States,  and  at  once  discovered  that  large  numbers 
of  homeless  children  of  both  sexes,  below  the  age  of  16,  were  being 
shipped  to  the  United  States  in  (;harge  of  a  matron,  after  having  been 
fed  at  the  Northwestern  Kailway  Company's  depot,  which  is  attached 
to  the  hotel  where  we  registered. 

We  divided  the  work  between  ourselves.  Commissioner  Powderly  in- 
vestigating Mrs.  Kye's  Home  and  otiier  institutions  in  Liverpool,  from 
which  some  of  these  children  were  sent,  and  1  proceeding  to  London, 
whence  most  of  them  were  said  to  have  emanated.    There  1  found  that 

263 


V 


264    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

it  was  difficult  to  get  sucli  evidence  as  would  be  considered  in  a  court 
of  law,  yet  there  was  no  doubt  in  my  mind  that  great  numbers  of  theiu 
were  beijig  sent  directly  to  the  United  States,  even  though  the  pub- 
lished reports  of  these  institutions  always  referied  to  them  as  being 
assisted  to  the  colonies,  or  to  Canada ;  yet,  as  a  large  percentage  of  them 
are  now  in  the  eleemosynary  institutions  of  this  country,  particularly 
those  along  the  Canada  border,  I  continued  the  investigation,  and  here 
give  some  of  the  extracts  fi'om  their  annual  reports: 

On  page  24  of  Dr.  Barnardo's  report  for  1888,  the  number  assisted 
to  the  colonies  is  given  as  3,773,  of  which  489  went  to  Canada  in  the 
year  1888. 

On  pages  188, 189  of  the  same  report,  there  are  statistics  which  show 
2,400  boys  and  girls  having  been  sent  to  Canada,  all  of  whom  have  been 
taken  from  the  streets  of  London. 

On  page  185  of  the  same  report,  the  Bishop  of  London  is  quoted  as 
saying: 

In  the  last  three  years  the  boards  of  guardians  (Tvhich  in  England  means  poor- 
houses)  have  sent  out  500  children  to  Canada;  out  of  which  number  there  are  only 
26, whom  they  can  now  locate. 

On  page  181,  Dr.  Barnardo,  in  speaking  on  the  emigration  of  Lon- 
don, East-end,  poor  children,  says: 

"They  are  mostly  sent  to  Canada,"  and  that  he  is  "continuously 
gathering  fresh  inmates,  and  except  for  emigration,  would  have  to  say, 
*no  admission'  to  new  applicants.  To  secure  an  open  door  in  front,  we 
must  maintain  an  exit  door  in  the  rear." 

On  pages  133,  134,  he  speaks  of  the  "quondam"  inmates  of  Sturge 
House  (females),  whom  he  has  emigrated  in  recent  years. 

I  visited  a  number  of  Dr.  Barnardo's  institutions,  of  which  there  are 
forty-one,  most  of  them  in  London,  with  branches  throughout  the  United 
Kingdom,  and  three  in  Canada;  one  called  "Hazelbrae,"  atPeterboro, 
Ontario;  one  at  214  Farley  avenue,  Toronto;  and  another  at  Birtle, 
Shell  Eiver,  Manitoba. 

They  are  known  under  all  sorts  of  designations;  one  at  Stepney  be- 
ing called  "Free  Bagged  Day  and  Sunday  School;"  one  at  Salmon's 
lane  called  "Salmon's  Lane  Bagged  School;"  one  at  i^o.  3  Crate  street, 
Lime  House  E,  called  "Union  Jack  Shoeblack  Brigade  and  Home;" 
another  is  called  "Eescue  Home  for  Young  Girls  in  Danger;"  and  still 
another  at  Hawkhurst,  in  Kent  is  called  "  Babies'  Castle." 

The  tirst  of  these  homes  was  started  in  1866.  They  were  originally 
intended  as  refuges  and  homes  for  destitute  children ;  but  since  1882, 
emigration  parties  have  been  sent  out,  on  an  average  three  annually, 
each  party  consisting  of  from  100  to  200  boys  or  girls. 

See  Twenty-filth  Annual  Beport  of  Institutions  known  as  Dr.  Bar- 
nardo's Homes,  page  47,  in  which  he  says : 

In  this  way  4,563  emigrants  in  all  have  left  the  London  homes  and  been  placed  out] 
in  our  colonies. 

On  page  48  of  the  same  report  he  says : 

During  1890  only  291  boys  and  lads  were  emigrated  to  Canada,  which  is  a  much 
emaller  number  than  for  some  years  preAdously. 

At  one  of  the  homes,  which  I  visited  in  company  with  Commissioner 
Powderly,  I  spoke  to  several  of  the  larger  boys,  who  stated  that  those 
who  were  most  efficient  in  work  (they  being  taught  to  operate  machiuesj 
which  produced  all  sorts  of  easily  made  articles  for  the  use  of  the  homes 
and  for  sale)  were  kept  there  for  years;  some  of  them  until  they  became 
of  age,  while  the  ones  who  ^>ere  inefficient  were  transported  abroad. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    2G5 

He  said  that  lie  and  a  number  of  otliers  were  purposely  making  them- 
selves troublesome  to  the  officials  at  the  home  in  order  that  they  might 
be  sent  to  America,  which  may  in  part  account  for  the  aforesaid  large 
percentage  of  alien  children  in  our  institutions.* 

The  testimony  of  sworn  witnesses  before  the  parliamentary  committee 
shows  the  westward  trend  of  population  to  the  United  States.  The 
Hamburg  steamers  transport  the  most  destitute  inhabitants  of  Eussia, 
Poland,  Eoumania,  Germany,  Austria,  and  Hungary  to  Hull;  whence 
by  rail  they  are  forwarded  to  Liverpool  and  booked  through  to  the 
United  States.     (See  statistics,  page  286.) 

We  next  investigated  the  institutions  from  which  the  criminal  class 
emanate  to  America.  On  or  about  Airgust  1  we  visited  "  The  Royal 
Society  in  aid  of  Discharged  Prisoners,"  Ko.  32  Charing  Cross,  London, 
which  includes  the  name  of  the  Queen  as  a  patron.  I  handed  in  my 
card  as  a  member  of  the  '^American  Conference  of  Charities  and  Cor- 
rection,'' stating  that  I  desired  to  learn  the  modus  operandi  of  their 
institution  with  a  view  of  founding  one  of  a  similar  character  in  the 
United  States.  Mr.  Powderly,  who  accompanied  me,  did  not  present 
his  card. 

The  secretary  in  charge.  Col.  H.  B.  Buchanan,  received  us  politely, 

and,  after  assuring  himself  of  my  identity  by  questions  concerning 

charity  organization  matters,  exhibited  his  books  containing  the  photo- 

'     graphs  annexed  to  the  criminal  record  of  each  prisoner,  male  and 

female,  under  the  jurisdiction  of  that  particular  society. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  sixty -nine  similar  societies: 

Aberdeen    Discliarged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;    G^eorge  Milne,  esq..,   McCombie's 
court,  Al>erdeen ;  office,  50  Union  street,  Aberdeen. 
Bedford  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Robert  S.  Eveleigh,  esq.,  36  St.  Peter's, 
c      Bedford. 

I  Berk's  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  Alexander  W.  Cobham,  esq.,  Leighton 

Park,  Reading;  Rev.  M.  T.  Friend,  H.M. Prison,  Reading. 
Birmingham  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  T.  W.  Peart,  H.  M.  Prison, 
■'      Birmingham. 

Bradford  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  William  Guy,  esq.,  and  Walter  Priestman,  esq. ; 
office,  41  Hortoft  Lane,  Bradford. 

Bristol  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  D.  Macpherson,  esq. ;  office,  26  Trinity 
street,  College  Green,  Bristol. 
Bucks  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  W.  Crouch,  esq.,  Aylesbury. 
:•"        Cambridge  County  and  Borough  of  the  Isle  of  Ely  Discharged    Prisoners'  Aid 
jlj    Society;  Capt. Philip  Going,  R. N.,  TraA'erston  Lodge,  West  Road,  Cambridge. 
f    .  ^  Carlisle  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  Rev.  James  Wilson,  H.  M.  Prison,  Car- 
',    lisle,  office  of  clerk  of  the  peace,  Carlisle. 

Carmarthen  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Morgan  Griffiths,  esq.,  Nott 
square,  Carmarthen. 

Carnarvon  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  T.  LI.  Murray  Browne,  esq.,  47  West 
Parade,  Rhyl. 

Corn wair  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  R.  Foster,  esq.,  Lanwithan,  Lost- 
withiel. 

Cheshire  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;   T.  LI.  Murray  Browne,  47  West 
Parade,  Rhyl. 
)•'       Derby  County  and  Borough  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Captain  C.  E.  Far- 
quharson,  H.  M.  Prison,  Derby. 

Devon  and  Exeter  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  J.  Pitkin,  Champain's 
House,  H.  M.  Prison,  Exeter. 

Dorset  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  A.  E.  Mansell,  esq.,  Grove  House,  Dor- 
chester. 

Dublin  Prison-Gate  Mission  (for  females  only);  office  122  Blackball  Place, 
Dublin. 

Dublin  Protestant  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Jonathan  Goodby,  jr.,  esq., 
7  Dame  street,  Dublin. 

Dublin  Roman  Catholic  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  Mrs.  Browne,  8  Mer- 
rion  Square,  North  Dublin. 

*See  extract  from  speech  of  Lord  Derby  on  ''Child  Emigration,"  reprinted  from 
Liverpool  Courier,  December  30,1890.— Report  of  Commissioner  Powderly. 


2GG     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS* 


Dnnrtee  Dischjjrged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society,  the  agent, 


Durham  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  P.  S.  Wilkinson,  esq.,  Mount  Os-vrald,! 
Durham. 

Ediiihaigh  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  J.  E.  Dovey,  esq.,  C.  A.,  63  Hanovei 
street,  Edinburgh. 

Essex  Discharged  Female  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  W,  F.  Lumley,  Chaplain's 
House,  Springfield,  Chelmsford. 

Glamorgaushire  West  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  James  Griffith  Hall,  esq., 
Swansea. 

Glamorganshire  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  C.  Waldron,  esq.,  74  St.  Mary 
street,  Cardiff. 

Glasgow  Prisoners'  Aid  Society  (see  also  refugees) ;  Walter  Paterson,  esq.,  82  Vin- 
cent street,  Glasgow. 

GloHceatershire  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  Major  J.  Knox,  H.M.  Prison, 
Gloucester. 

Greenock  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  John  Rodger,  esq.,  Clydesdale  Bank, 
Greenock,  office  33  Dempster  street,  Greenock. 

Hampshire  Society  for  the  Relief  of  Destitute  Discharged  Prisoners;  Rev.  J.  A, 
Ladbrooke,  H.  M.  Prison,  Winchester. 

Herefordshire  Discharged  Pri«oners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  J.  H.  Lamhert,  and  Majoi 
C.  A.  Macgregor,  H.  M.  Prison,  Hereford. 

Herts  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  H.  Fowler,  Grosvenor  Road,  St.  Albass. 

Kendal  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  Rev.  H.  Monsarrat,  H.  M.  Prison,  Ken- 
dal. 

Kent  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society,  the  agent, . 

Kingfttoa-up«n-Hiill  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  Rev.  J.  Aspinall  Addison, 
H.  M.  PrisoB,  KingstoH-upon-HNll. 

Lancashire,  North  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  Rev.  H.  Fielding  Smith,  H. 
M.  Prison,  Lancashire,  and  Rev.  W.  E.  Hey,  H.  M.  Prison,  Preston. 

Lancashire,  Sonth-Wttst  and  Wirrall  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  Rev.  D. 
Morris,  H.  M.  Prison,  Walton,  Livorpool. 

Leeds  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Sydney  Lupton,  esq.,  The  Harehills, 
Leeds;  John  Thorton,  esq.,  .JuBtico's  Clerk's  Office,  Town  Hall,  Leeds. 

Leicestershire  and  Ruthland  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  W.  J.  Freer,  esq.j 
Stoney  Gate,  Leicester. 

Liverpeol,  Kirkdale  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society,  London.  (See  also  Surrey 
and  Kent.) 

Sheriff's  Fund  Society;  Rev.  G.  Plaford,  H.  M.  Prison,  Holloway. 

Nine  Elme  Prison  Miwsion  (for  females  only) ;  Mrs.  Meredith,  at  the  mission  house, 
Wandsworth  Road,  S.  W. 

Metropolitan  ©ischarged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society  (for  males  only) ;  Thos.  Hedley, 
esq.,  22  Stock  Orchard  Crescent,  Clandonian  Road,  N. 

Royal  Society  for  the  Assistance  of  Dissharged  Prisoners ;  Messrs.  W.  B.  Ranken^ 

F.  Chapman,  and  Major  Tillbrook,  office  32,  Charing  Cross,  S.  W. 

St.  Giles'  Christian  Mission,  Mr.  W.  M.  Wheatley,  office^,  Brooke  street,  Ilolhorn, 
E.  C. 

Manchester  and  Salford  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society,  J.  L.  Aspland,  esq., 
hon.  se^etary,  Manchester;  Mr.  W.  Slade,  secretary;  offiee  2,  Cooper  street,  Man- 
chester. 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society,  Henry  Scholefield,  esq., 
chairman,  11  Windsor  Crescent,  Newcastle-on-Tyne ;  J.  H.  Rutherford,  esq.,  secre- 
tary ;  ofi&ce  72,  Grey  street,  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 

Norfolk  and  Norwich  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  Rev.  H.  M.  Thomson,  Nor- 
wich Castle. 

Northampton  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Mr.  E.  Howe,  H.  M.  Prison, 
Northampton.     (Also  a  Prison  Gate  Mission,  under  the  management  of  the  chaplain.) 

Nottingham  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  H.  J.  Manley,  Power,  esq.  Office, 
John  street,  Nottingham. 

Oxford  Prison  Charity;  Rev.  J.  F.  Newton,  H.  M.  Prison,  Oxford;  or  Thomas  M. 
Davenport,  esq..  County  Hall,  Oxford. 

Paisley  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  J.  H.  D«nn,  esq.,  Connty  Pl»ce Paisley. 

Plymouth  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Mr.  Hees  Isaacs,  H.  M.  Prison,  Ply- 
mouth. 

Portsmouth  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Socioty;  A.  C.  Burbidge,  esq.,  St.  Thomas 
street,  Portsmouth. 

Preston  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  E.  E.  Hay,  H.  M.  Pn«on,  Proeto*. 

Shropshire  and  Mont-gomer  jshire  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  the  Rev.  H. 

G.  Wakefield,  H.  M.  Prison,  Shrewsbury. 

Somersetshire  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  E.  Chisholm  Batten,  esq.,  Thorn- 
fft«loon,  Taunton,  aad  16  Pelham  Crescent,  Lendon,  S.  W. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    267 

1        Staffordshire,  North,  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;   Rev.  C.  Gold]3ey,  H.  M, 
U    Prison,  Stafford. 
j        Staffordshire,  South,  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  C.  Goldney,  H.  M. 
» !    Prison,  Stafford. 

Suffolk  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  Robert  Johnson,  esq.,  Boyton,  Wood- 
:i!    bridge,  Suffolk. 

Surrey  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;    Col.  J.  S.   Ross,   Woodseat,   Rydal, 
\A    Wimbledon,  and  Capt.  Colvill,  H.  M.  Prison,  Wandsworth. 

Sussex  Discharged  Prisoners' Aid  Society;  Mr.  S.  Beckett,  Fisher  street,  Lewes, 

-  Sussex. 

Usk  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society ;  Rev.  David  Bowen,  Usk,  Newport,  Mon. 

Warwickshire  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  the  secretary,  Warwick ■. 

Wilts  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  Rev.  A.  C.  Devas,  H.  M.  Prison,  Devizes. 
, ,       Worcestershire  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid   Society;    the  Hon.  R.  H.  Lyttelton, 
j    Carlisle  House,  Bransford  road,  Worcester, 
i '.       York  Castle  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society  (for  York  County,  see  also  Brad- 
ford, Kingston-upon-Hull,  Leeds,  and  Homes  for  Discharged  Prisoners) ;  Rev.  A.  W. 
i     Baldwin,  York  Castle,  York. 

York,   North  Riding  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;   A.  F.  Godman,  esq., 
:  I    Smcaton  Manor,  North  Allerton. 

York,  West  Riding  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society;  W.  L.  Home,  Esq.,  Wake- 
I   field. 

*  (In  addition  to  these  there  are  numerous  other  societies  of  a  similar 
character,  a  list  of  which  is  printed  in  a  volume  herewith  transmitted.) 

During  the  conversation  with  Col.  Buchanan,  on  the  subject  of  cha.rity 
organization  societies,  in  order  to  show  us  how  nicely  their  discharged 

-  prisoners  get  along  in  this  country,  he  exhibited  a  letter  dated  Cliar- 
. ,  lotte,  N.  C,  June  30,  1891,  from  a  discharged  assisted  ijrisoner,  whose 

passage  over  they  had  paid,  and  who  acknowledged  the  receijjt  of  a 

•  post-office  money  order  sent  him  to  enable  him  to  get  a  start  in  this 
country.  He  wrote  of  the  difficulty  he  liad  in  getting  the  money  order 
cashed,  as  he  could  not  find  anyone  to  identify  him;  so  he  forged  the 

,  name  of  a  merchant,  taken  from  a  shop  sign  on  a  blank  of  identiti cation, 
and  succeeded  in  getting  the  money.  The  secretary  was  amused  by  the 
sharp  practice  of  his  proteg6,  and  told  the  story  as  an  evidence  of  their 
success  as  a  charitable  (1)  institution.    I  handed  the  letter  to  Mr. 

>  Powder ly,  who  also  read  it,  and  obtained  their  printed  annual  reports, 
the  existence  of  which  documents  was  afterwards  denied  to  my  colleague, 

la  I  Commissioner  Cross,  who  applied  for  the  same. 

(See  Thirty-fourth  Annual  Iteport  of  the  Koyal  Society  for  the  Assist- 
ance of  Discharged  Prisoners,  32  Charing  Cross,  1891.) 

A  certificate  of  the  Auditor  of  the  Treasury  for  the  Post-Office  De- 
partment filed  herewith  shows  the  same  Col.  H.  B.Buchanan,  Secretary 
of  the  aforesaid  Prisoners'  Aid  Society,  as  a  remitter  of  seven  such  post- 

';  j  office  money  orders,  from  the  26th  of  March  to  the  11th  of  June,  189_1, 
inclusive.     Should  this  proportion  hold  good  for  similar  societies  it  will 

\'  '  be  seen  that  the  number  of  criminals  assisted  to  migrate  annually  to 
I  the  United  States  is  so  considerable  as  to  account  for  the  fact  that  in 

''  1870,  in  New  England  alone,  out  of  20  per  cent  of  population  who  are 
aliens  or  of  foreign  extraction,  they  furnished  75  per  cent  of  the  crimi- 
nals.   If  crime  is  hereditary  ^'  what  will  the  harvest  be  ?  " 

Among  these  seven  persons  certified  by  the  Auditor,  we  find  one 
whose  international  post-office  money  order  was  numbered  28232,  original 
number  17125,  dated  June  11,  1891,  issued  at  Charing  Cross,  London, 
paid  in  New  York  June  25, 1891,  who  was  identified  by  one  John  Morris, 
11  West  street,  New  York,  steamship  ticket  agent  and  keeper  of  an 
emigrant  boarding  house,  etc.,  who  was  recently  referred  to  in  the  pub- 
lic press  as  the  landlord  of  the  late  dynamiter  who  attempted  the  life 
of  Mr.  Russell  Sage  in  New  York. 

Tlie  approximate  income  of  1,027  eleemosynary  institutions  in  Great 
Britain  is  £5,063,137,  as  given  on  page  22  of  the  Classified  Directory  of 
'  Metropolitan  Charities,  1890,  which  amount  averages  over  $1  for  every 
acre  of  idle  land  in  Great  Britain. 


268    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWa 

The  Twenty- second  Annual  Eeport  of  the  Council  of  the  Society  for 
Organizing  Charitable  Eelief  and  Repressing  Mendicity,  London,  1891, 
speaks  of  persons  assisted  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
On  page  35  the  number  of  assisted  emigrants  is  given  as  76;  on  page 
36,  report  for  the  year  1877,  shows  466  persons  assisted  to  emigrate;  in 
1888,  458  persons;  in  1889,  242  persons ;  and  in  18'90, 138  persons.  The 
subscription  list,  shown  on  page  89,  reports  £815  15s.  (about  C 4,000). 

Exhibit  9,  herewith  transmitted,  will  show  two  affidavits  of  persons 
who  were  datained  at  the  barge  office,  ]S"ew  York  city,  who  admitted 
having  been  inmates  of  a  poorhouse  in  England,  and  whose  tickets  were 
prepaid  by  one  of  the  societies,  through  a  Mr.  Hetherington,  who  has  an 
emigration  office  on  the  Strand,  London,  and  is  connected  with  a  railway 
company,  and  who  publishes  a  newspaper  in  which  he  advertises  for 
help  at  home  and  abroad.  I  visited  Mr.  Hetherington  at  his  office  in  the 
railway  station,  and  was  informed  that  he  had  nothing  to  say  relative  to 
matters  pertaining  to  transportation  of  emigrants ;  that  the  comjiany 
never  gave  information  to  outsiders  on  any  subject.  I  questioned  some 
of  the  employes  about  the  railroad  station,  who  admitted  that  Mr.  Heth- 
erington frequently  sent  contract  laborers  to  one  O'Dell,  whose  office 
was  117  West  Forty- seventh  street,  Kew  York  city;  but  I  could  learn 
nothing  definite  as  to  names  or  dates. 

On  July  23,  disguised  as  a  destitute  alien  pauper,  I  repaired  to  !N"o. 
15  Arlington  Place,  London,  and  found  W.  H.  Wilkins,  secretary  of  the 
Association  for  the  Prevention  of  Immigration  to  England  of  Destitute 
Aliens,  who,  after  listening  to  my  story  of  destitution  gave  me  two  let- 
ters, one  to  the  Emigrants'  Information  Office,  No.  31  Broadway,  West- 
minster, and  the  other  to  the  Society  for  the  Relief  of  Foreigners  in 
Distress,  stating  that  his  association  only  kept  paupers  from  landing 
in  England,  the  others  assisting  them  to  leave  the  country. 

The  original  letters  are  marked  Exhibits  7  and  8. 

I  adopted  a  disguise  because  it  was  plain  to  me  that,  in  my  proper 
character  as  a  commissioner  sent  over  to  investigate,  I  could  not  hope 
to  arrive  at  the  carefully  covered-up  truth,  and  that  if  I  was  to  get  at 
the  bottom  of  the  matter  I  must  dive  underneath  the  surface. 

I  may  instance  the  sham  inspections  of  the  steamship  companies  at 
Liverpool,  when  they  are  not  aware  of  the  presence  of  a  commissioner, 
and  the  careful  inspection  they  held  when  a  commissioner  was  there  in 
propria  persona;  and  the  fact  that  when  we  sought  information  or  even 
printed  reports,  as  commissioners,  they,  were  refused  directly,  or  the  exist- 
ence of  such  reports  was  denied,  though  we  afterwards  succeeded  in  pro- 
curing them^  and  in  some  cases  the  information  sought  was  flatly  refused. 
(See  reports  of  Commissioners  Cross  and  Powderly.)  While  incognito  I 
found  that  no  medical  inspection  whatever  was  held,  notably  at  such 
ports  as  Bremen,  Hamburg,  Amsterdam,  Rotterdam,  Antwerp,  Liver- 
pool, Queenstown,  Palermo,  Naples,  and  Havre.  There  may  have  been 
physicians  around,  bat  the  only  inspection  had,  when  the  emigrants  em- 
barked, was  that  of  their  passage  tickets,  in  order  that  none  might 
board  without  tickets,  as  stoAvaways,  except  that  in  Germany  and  Italy 
passports  for  natives  are  required  and  examined. 

The  steamship  companies  and  port  officials  always  contrived  to  pre- 
sent to  the  commissioners,  as  such,  a  superficial  examination  well  cal- 
culated to  decieve,  and  by  inspecting  their  acts,  in  a  guise  unknown 
to  them,  a  difl'erent  condition  of  affairs  invariably  revealed  itself. 

I  have,  not  yet  completed  the  special  report  on  my  return  steerage 
voyage,  which  will  show  that  one  of  the  societies,  viz,  "The  Society  of 
Friends  of  Foreigners  in  Distress,"  of  which  the  Prince  of  Wales  is 
president,  assisted  me,  disguised  as  a  destitute  alien,  to  leave  England, 
under  the  assumed  name  of  William  Scott,  on  the  steamer  Serma,  of 
the  Cuna-rd  Line,  November  6, 1891, 


ENFOUCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    2G0 

Tlie  followiii|T  is  a  paracirapTi  from  a  printed  circular  of  tlio  above- 
meutioiied  Society  of  Friends  of  Foreigners  In  Distress,  wliicli  I  give 
in  order  to  show  some  of  its  objects  and  the  amount  of  relief  they  have 
given  in  the  past: 

2.  Casual  relief  and passaffes.— The  directors  meet  every  Wednesday  to  investi"-ate 
cases  and  relieve  applicants  asking  temporary  or  casual  assistance,  and  to  granrthe 
means  of  returning  to  their  native  countries  to  foreigners  who,  from  ill  lioalth  or 
other  circumstances,  can  not  remain  in  London,  and  are  unable  to  pay  their  own  ])«8s- 
ago.  The  scale  of  relief  varies  from  £5  to  a  few  shillings,  and  every  case  a-ssisUid  is 
consi<lered  entirely  on  its  own  merits  after  proper  investigation.  In  this  way  relief 
has  been  given  in  187,542  instances. 

I  noticed,  from  an  interview  had  by  one  of  the  London  papers  with  the 
secretary  of  the  said  institution,  he  admitted  that  I  was  one  of  the  only 
two  who  had  ever  returned  them  money  advanced  for  passage,  and  that 
they  hadin  late  years  expended  £40,000  in  this  manner.  (See  Xew  York 
Herald,  London,  November  22,  1891.)  Their  office  is  at  20  Xew  Broad 
street,  E.  C,  London,  and  their  secretary  H.  J.  Boys. 

I  will  now  dispose  of  what  pertained  to  my  experience  with  Mr.  Wil- 
kins,  secretary  of  Association  for  tlie  Prevention  of  Lnmigration  of  Des- 
titute Aliens,  who  offered  to  i^rovide  me  with  a  job  as  a  "  sandwich  "  until 
the  steamer  on  which  I  was  to  be  assisted  to  the  United  States,  by  one  of 
the  other  societies,  should  set  sail.  I  may  say  that  a  "  sandwich"  is  a  per- 
son placarded  before  and  beliind'as  a  walking  signboard  on  the  streetsof 
London.  I  promised  to  take  his  ];ind  off'er  into  consideration  and  retired. 

A  day  after,  I  attended  a  public  meeting  at  Princess  Hall,  Piccadilly, 
Friday,  July  24,  at  8  o\;lock  p.  m.,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Society 
for  the  Prevention  of  Immigration  of  Destitute  Aliens.  By  mistake  I 
entered  the  speaker's  door,  which  is  next  door  to  the  entrance  of  the 
hall,  where  I  was  met  by  the  identical  Mr.  Secretary  Wilkin8,who,not 
recognizing  his  intended  ''  sandwich,'^  as  I  had  doffed  my  disguise, 
escorted  me  politely  to  the  proper  entrance,  and  procured  for  me  a  seat 
well  to  the  front,  where  I  could  not  only  hear  distinctly,  but  could 
plainly  see  the  facial  expressions  of  the  speakers,  all  of  whom  protested 
vehemently  against  the  dumping  upon  English  soil  of  alien  paupers, 
espe<3ially  those  who  came  from  Bussfa,  Hungary,  and  Poland. 

I  take  Uie  liberty  of  referring  to  the  circulars  advertising  this  meeting, 
and  the  London  papers  of  that  date  reporting  the  speeches;  also  a  cer- 
tain pamphlet  descriptive  of  a  former  meeting,*  and  to  dwell  a  little  on 
its  contents. 

The  pamphlet  sets  forth — 

The  movement  from  Eastern  Europe  to  Western  Europe,  and  from  thence  to  Great 
Britain  and  America.  *  *  *  These  emigrants  are  of  all  nationalities;  some  use 
England  only  as  a  resting  place  on  their  way  to  America.  *  *  *  Labor  is  dis- 
placed. *  *  *  Englishmen  are  robbed  of  their' work,  and  if  they  are  not  pauper- 
ized, or  worse,  they  are  driven  out  of  their  homes  to  seek  their  fortunes  in  a  distant 
land.     (See  pamphlet  herewith,  pp.  6  to  8.) 

The  pamphlet  proceeds  to  describe  the  infectious  diseases,  filth,  and 
immorality  of  the  incomers,  who — 

Work  for  any  wages,  and  for  any  number  of  hours,  amid  surroundings  disgusting 
and  unhealth  V  in  the  extreme.  *  *  *  Most  of  them  are  driven  on  the  rat-es,  or  out 
of  the  country  altogether.  *  *  *  Charity  should  begin  at  home,  and  when  we 
tind  the  home  life  of  our  people  being  lowered,  and  their  moral  and  physical  welfare 
degraded  by  this  hitherto  unlimited  influx  of  destitute  aliens,  I  submit  that  a  prima 
facie  case  is  made  out  in  favor  of  legislative  interference.     Salus  poptiU  suprema  est  lex. 

The  same  association  held  a  conference  at  Westminister  Palace,  Lon- 
don, April  1,  1891,  the  Earl  of  Dunraven,  K.  P.,  in  the  chair.    The 

*  I  showed  these  cirmilarsTo~mv  colleagues,  Col.  Weber  and  Dr.  Kempster,  and 
asked  them  to  attend  the  meeting,  but  each  had  a  prior  engagement,  the  lormer  to 
dine  with  an  ofbcer  of  the  Jewish  Board  of  Guardians,  and  the  latter  with  a  medical 
gentleiria7\  who  had  been  in  the  employ  of  several  transatlantic  steamaJup  lines. 
(See  circulars,  Appendix,  page  321.) 
H.  Ex.  37 53 


270    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

speaker  took  ground  against  the  influx  of  destitute  aliens  as  subversive 
of  the  working  classes,  and  showed  that  the  survival  of  the  fittest  ought 
not  to  mean  that  of  the  "human  being"  who  is  able  to  subsist  on  the 
least  food,  who  can  live  in  an  atmosi)here  which  would  poison  a  person 
more  highly  developed,  and  who  can  live  on  food  and  under  circum- 
stances in  which  others  are  unable  to  live  at  all. 

"I  don't  see,"  said  the  speaker,  '^how  any  human  being  is  benefited 
by  the  fact  that  our  ports  ^ire  open  to  any  kind  of  labor  which  chooses 
to  come  in,  except  the  emx)loyers  of  that  labor;  the  men  who  employ 
these  white  slaves  making  a  benefit  of  them  no  doubt.  Neither  does  it 
signify  much  whether  they  all  remain  in  this  country,  or  only  come 
here  and  after  a  time  pass  on  to  America.  So  be  not  influenced  by 
what  we  are  often  told,  that  after  all,  although  there  is  a  considerable 
number  of  devStitute  aliens  who  come  to  this  country  (meaning  England), 
probably  the  bulk  of  them  don't  reniain  here,  but  pass  on  to  other 
lands.  I  wont  discuss  the  question  whether  they  do  or  not,  as  it  makes 
very  little  difference.  There  is  a  great  method  whereby  the  over-com 
petition  in  the  labor  market  can  be  relieved,  and  that  is  by  emigra 
tion." 

He  concludes  with  the  reflection  that  "the  fate  of  the  nation  may 
depend  on  the  votes  of  not  millions,  but  thousands,  or  even  hundreds 
of  these  men." 

The  si^eaker  ably  presented  the  Anglican  side  of  this  great  question 
and  shows  that  even  a  temporary  roosting  of  such  birds  of  passage  ii 
England  damages  wages,  demoralizes  the  people,  and  spreads  infec 
tious  diseases;  and  that  their  permanent  abode  in  this  Republic  will  ii 
time  destroy  the  verdict  of  a  well-meaning  majority,  as  well  as  the  dig 
nity  and  earnings  of  labor. 

While  in  the  various  countries  described  in  the  report  already  re 
ferred  to  (Exhibit  3)  as  contributing  the  most  destitute  and  degrades 
element  to  the  population  of  my  own  native  land,  I  mingled  with  th( 
emigrants,  in  order  to  trace  to  their  sources  the  turbid  stream,  prelim 
inary  to  investigating  the  channel  which  flows  in  its  final  leap  acrosj 
the  Atlantic.  My  investigations  in  London  revealed  abysses  too  pro 
found  to  be  mentioned  or  described,  out  of  which  the  scum  floats  of 
the  docks  and  overflows  to  the  United  States,  and  which  is  the  elenien 
referred  to  in  the  pamphlet  just  quoted,  as  polluting  the  atmosphere  o 
England,  no  matter  whether  it  "ultimately  emigrated  or  not." 

There  are  various  societies  for  assisting  pauper  emigrants;  but  th« 
most  colossal  is  the  Jewish  Colonization  Association,  otherwise  knowi 
as  the  Baron  Hirsch  emigration  scheme,  which  includes  a  paid  up  capi 
tal  of  about  $10,000,000,  which  is  divided  into  20,000  shares  of  150' 
each,  of  which  Baron  Hirsch  rei)resents  19,990;  the  others  being  equall. 
divided  among  as  many  prominent  Hebrews,  namely:  Lord  Rothschild 
president  of  the  United  Synagogue,  No.  148  Piccadilly,  London,  1  share 
Sir  Julian  Goldsmid,  Bart.,  M.  P.,  Ko.  105  Piccadilly,  London,  presiden 
of  the  Anglo- Jewish  Association,  and  chairman  of  the  Russo-Jewis 
committee,  1  share;  S.  H.  Goldschmidt,  president  de  I'Alliance  Isrde: 
ite  Universelle,  No.  6  Rond  Point  de  Champs  Elysees,  Paris,  1  share 
Benjamin  Louis  Cohen,  esq.,  president  of  the  Jewish  board  of  guard 
ans,  and  member  of  the  Russo  Jewish  emigration  committee.  No.  3 
Hyde  Park  Gardens,  London,  W.,  1  share:  F.  D.  Mocatta,  esq.,  No. 
Connaught  Place,  W.,  London,  1  share;  Salomon  Reinach,  Attach^  de 
Musses,  No.  31  Rue  de  Berlin,  Paris,  1  share  j  Ernest  Joseph  Cass< 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    271 

Ko.  48  Grosveiior  Square,  London,  1  share:  and  several  other  promi- 
nent emigration  i:)hilanthropists. 

This  society  enables  the  Baron  de  Hirseh  to  organize  all  associations 
of  Jews  everywhere  into  a  vast  reservoir  of  effluent  population,  most,  if 
not  all,  of  which  is  to  overflow  into  the  United  States.  The  society  is 
incorporated  under  license  of  the  board  of  trade  under  the  ''companies' 
acts,"  1862  to  1890,  and  not  by  act  of  Parliament  or  Eoyal  Charter,  nor  is 
it  embodied  in  a  trust  deed.  It  is  a  limited  liability  company  without 
the  addition  of  the  word  "limited"  to  its  name;  this  omission  being 
allowed  presumably  because  the  iniquity  is  to  be  practiced  upon  other 
countries,  but  principally  the  United  States,  whose  iirotective  laws  omit 
to  tax  out  of  competition  here  the  worst  kind  of  importation  which  can 
be  sent,  namely,  surplus  population.  The  date  of  the  order  of  the  board 
of  trade  is  September  10,  1891,  signed  by  E.  GifBn,  assistant  secretary 
of  the  board  of  trade.  The  stamp  duty  paid  on  the  capital  being  2,000 
pounds. 

The  memorandum  of  association  is  as  follows : 


MEMORANDUM  OF  ASSOCLATION. 

1.  Tho  name  of  the  company  is  the  "  Jewish  Colonization  Association." 

2.  The  registered  office  of  the  company  will  be  situate  in  England. 

3.  The  objects  for  which  the  company  is  established  are: 

(a)  To  assist  and  promote  the  emigration  of  Jews  from  any  part«  of  Europe  or 
Asia,  and  principally  fr&m  countries  in  which  they  may  for  the  time  being  be  sub- 
jected to  any  special  taxes  or  political  or  other  disabilities,  to  any  other  parts  of 
the  world,  and  to  form  and  establish  colonies  in  various  jjarts  of  North  and  South 
America  and  other  countries  for  agricultural,  commercial,  and  other  i)urposes. 

(ft)  To  purchase  and  acquire  by  donation  or  otherwise,  from  any  Governments, 
States,  municipal,  or  local  authorities,  corporations,  firms,  or  persons,  any  territo- 
ries, land  or  other  property,  or  interests  in,  or  rights  over,  territories,  lands,  or  other 
property,  in  any  parts  of  the  world,  and  all  concessions,  powers,  and  privileges 
which  may  be  necessary  or  convenient  for  developing  the  resources  of  the  same  and 
rendering  the  same  available  for  purposes  of  colonization. 

(o)  To  accept  gifts,  donations,  and  bequests  of  money  and  other  property  on  the 
terms  of  the  same  being  applied  for  all  or  some  one  or  more  of  the  purposes  of  the 
company,  or  on  such  other  terms  as  may  be  consistent  with  the  objects  of  the  com- 
pany. 

(d)  To  establish  comnicrcinl,  agricultural,  and  other  settlements  in  any  territories 
or  lands  so  acquired,  except  Europe,  or  in  which  the  company  are  interested,  and  to 
develop  the  same  by  clearing,  draining,  fencing,  planting,  and  otherwise. 

(«)  To  construct,  establish,  maintain,  and  develop  or  assist  by  pecuniary  aid  or 
I  otherwise  in  the  censtruction  establishment,  maintenance,  smd  development  of  all 
such  roads,  ways,  tramways,  railways,  bridges,  harbors,  reservoirs,  water  courses, 
wharves,  embankments,  fortifications,  telegraphs,  telephones,  mills,  factorie^^,  stores, 
synagogues  and  other  places  of  worship,  baths,  wash  houses,  places  of  recreation, 
and  other  works  of  a  public  or  private  character,  which  may  be  considered  conducive 
to  the  material  or  moral  welfare  of  the  colonies  or  settlements  from  time  to  time  es- 
tablished or  projected. 

(/)  To  establish  and  subsidize  any  institutions,  clubs,  and  associations  for  the 
benefit  of  the  colonists,  and  to  provide  for  their  religious,  sanitary,  and  educational 
needs,  and  to  grant  money  for  all  or  any  of  these  purposes. 

(g)  To  obtain  any  acts  of  Parliament,  decrees,  charters,  and  orders  of  any  govern- 
ment or  state,  or  municipal  or  local  authority,  for  the  purpose  of  strengthening  or 
extending  the  company^s  powers,  and  to  procure  the  company  to  be  registered  or 
\  incorporated  in  any  foreign  country  or  colony  by  its  own  or  other  suitable  name  for 
i  the  purpose  of  facilitating  any  of  the  operations  of  the   company,  and  to  make  any 
arrangements  with   and  give  any  guaranties  to  any  such  governments,  states  or 
authorities  as  may  be  considered  expedient  for  promoting  <he  objects  of  the  company. 
_  ih)  To  buy,  sell,  export,  and  deal  in  all  goods  and  merchandise  of  every  descrip- 
tion, and  to  carry  on  every  kind  of  business  which  may  be  useful  or  conducive  to 
I  tke  furtherance  of  the  said  emigration  and  colonial  establishments. 

(»)  To  promote,  form,  or  assist  in  forming  in  any  paits  of  the  world  subsidiary 


272    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

companies  or  associations  for  carrying  out  the  objects  of  the  company,  and  to  tran 
fer  any  parts  of  the  company's  property  to  any  such  companies  or  associations  upo; 
any  trusts  and  for  any  purposes  or  considerations  consistent  with  the  general  sco 
of  the  company's  operations. 

(j)  To  acquire  and  hold  in  or  transfer  into  the  names  of  any  person  or  persons, 
corporate  bodies,  all  or  any  of  the  lands  and  property  which  may  be  acquired 
held  in  the  company. 

(k)  To  establish  emigration  agencies  in  various  parts  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  oth] 
parts  of  the  world,  and  to  construct,  hire,  charter,  and  equip  steamships  and  oth' 
vessels  for  the  transport  of  the  colonists,  and  to  provide  all  necessaries  for  the  p 
pose  of  facilitating  their  emigration. 

(I)  To  make  or  procure  grants  of  land,  concessions  of  mining  and  other  rights, 
other  privileges  to  the  colonists  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  may  from  time 
time  be  prescribed  by  the  regulations  of  the  company,  and  to  assist  them  l)y  8up])l 
ing  tools  and  materials,  seeds,  live  and  dead  stock,  and  other  things  required 
enable  them  to  commence  agricultural  or  other  operations,  and  to  make  th 
pecuniary  advances  for  building,  farming,  and  other  purposee. 

(m)  To  purchase,  take  on  lease,  hire,  or  acquire  any  real  or  personal  property 
rights,  or  privileges. 

(n)  To  invest  and  deal  with  the  moneys  of  the  company  not  immediately  require( 
for  expenditure  or  the  operations  of  the  company  in  any  of  the  public  stocks  or  pub' 
lie  securities  of  the  Euglish,  French,  Belgian,  Dutch,  and  German  governments,  o' 
of  the  governments  of  the  United  States  of  AmM-ica,  or  some  or  one  of  them. 

(o)  To  carry  ©n  any  lawfnl  eominerce,  trade,  pursuit,  or  business,  and  all  industria 
or  other  operations  which  may  be  calculated  to  facilitate  the  main  objects  of  th 
company. 

(jp)  To  receive  moneys  from  emigrants,  and  apply  the  same  on  their  behalf,  an 
generally  to  carry  on  any  kind  of  emigration  agency  business. 

(q)  To  make,  accept,  indorse,  and  execute  promissory  notes,  bills  of  exchange,  an 
other  negotiable  securities. 

(?•)  To  sell,  let,  or  transfer,  or  grant  rights  in  or  over  all  or  any  of  the  property  c 
the  company,  or  any  interest  therein,  on  any  terms  and  for  any  consideration.  ' 

(s)  To  do  all  such  other  lawful  things  as  are  iucideutal  or  conducive  to  the  attair 
incnt  of  the  aforesaid  objects  or  any  of  them:  Provided,  That  the  company  shall  ol 
serve  the  provisions  of  the  twenty-iirst  section  of  the  company's  act  of  1862,  wliei 
applicable,  and  that  in  case  the  company  shall  accept  any  gift,  or  such  special  t 
as  to  be  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the  charity  commissioners,  vest  the  same 
special  trustees  thereof. 

4.  The  liability  of  the  members  is  limited. 

5.  The  nominal  capital  of  the  company  is  £2,000,000,  divided  into  20,000  shares 
£100  each. 

6.  The  incoma  and  property  of  the  company,  whcncesoever  derived,  shall  be  w 
plied  solely  towards  the  promotion  of  the  objects  of  the  company  as  set  forth  in  th 
memorandum  of  association,  and  no  portion  tliercof  shall  be  paid  or  transferred  d 
rectly  or  indirectly  by  wa^  of  dividend,  bonus,  or  otherwise  howsoever  by  ^^;lv  < 
profit  to  the  members  of  the  company  or  any  of  them :  Frorided,  That  nothing  lin  ei 
shall  prevent  the  payment  in  good  faith  of  remuneration  to  any  directors,  manager 
officers,  or  servants  of  the  company,  or  to  any  member  of  the  company,  or  other  pe 
son,  in  return  for  any  services  actually  rendered  to  the  company. 

7.  If  upon  the  winding  up  or  dLssoUition  of  the  company  there  remains,  after 
satisfaction  of  all  its  debts  and  liabilities,  any  property  whatsoever,  the  same  s 
not  be  paid  to  or  distributed  among  the  members  of  the  company,  but  shall  be 
plied  as  provided  by  article  50  of  the  accompanying  articles,  and,  so  far  as  i 
application  shall  be  impracticable,  be  transferred  to  some  other  Jewish  institu 
or  institutions  having  objects  similar  to  the  objects  of  the  company,  such  institu 
or  institutions  to  be  selected  by  the  members  of  the  company  or  in  default  thereof 
such  judge  of  the  high  court  of  justice  as  may  have,  by  virtue  of  auy  proceeding 
dissolution,  or  any  special  application  by  the  company  or  any  of  the  members,  j 
diction  in  the  maiter. 

8.  True  accounts  shall  be  kept  of  the  sums  of  money  received  and  expended 
the  company,  and  the  matter  in  respect  of  which  such  receipt  and  expenditure 
place,  and  of  the  property,  credits,  and  liabilities  of  the  company,  and  aubje 
any  reasonable  restrictions  as  to  the  time  and  manner  of  inspecting  the  same 
may  be  imposed  in  accordance  with  the  regulations  of  the  company  for  the 
being,  shall  be  open  to  the  inspection  of  the  members.  Once  at  least  in  every 
the  accounts  of  the  company  shall  be  examined  and  the  correctness  of  the  h  ' 
sheet  ascertained  by  one  or  more  properly  qualified  auditor  or  auditors. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     273 

9.  During  the  first  five  years  after  the  formation  of  the  company  the  majority  of 
the  holders  of  shares  may  revoke,  add  to,  and  alter  any  (including  article  50)  of  the 
articles  of  association,  and  substitute  other  articles  in  such  way  as  they  may  deem 
advisable,  so  that  they  are  consistent  with  class  6  of  this  memorandum  and  the  ob- 
jects stated  in  this  memorandum,  but  after  the  expiration  of  such  five  years  none  of 
the  then  existing  articles  shall  (except  so  far  as  the  last  general  meeting  of  the  com- 
pany to  be  held  prior  to  the  expiration  of  the  said  period  shall  by  resolution  passed  by 
the  holders  of  not  less  than  three-fourths  of  the  shares  of  the  company  then  issued  other- 
wise determine)  be  revoked  or  altered,  nor  any  additions  made  to  them,  without  the 
written  consent  of  all  the  holders  of  shares  of  the  company  for  the  time  being  not 
disqualified  by  any  legal  incapacity  for  giving  such  consent. 

ARTICLES  OF  ASSOCIATION. 

The  articles  of  association  provide  among  other  things  that  not  more 

.  than  half  the  capital  of  the  association  is  to  be  employed  in  the  pur- 
chase of  land,  that  the  governing  body  will  consist  of  a  council  of  ad- 

■  ministration  composed  of  not  more  than  six,  and  not  less  than  three 
persons,  who  are  elected  for  a  period  of  live  years,  and  who,  in  their 
turn,  will  elect  directors  not  to  exceed  three  in  number.  These  directors 
will  be  the  paid  officials  of  the  association  and  do  all  the  executive 
work.  The  machinery  provided  by  the  articles  enables  representative 
Jewish  institutions  to  become  members  of  the  association  and  thereby 
to  have  a  certain  voice  in  its  management.  Under  no  circumstances 
will  any  of  the  shareholders  derive  any  profit  from  the  undertaking,  as 
even  should  the  association  be  dissolved  its  property  will  be  distributed 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Jews  residing  out  of  Europe  and  in  need  of  pecu- 

.  niary  aid. 

^     The  following  is  the  full  text  of  all  the  articles  containing  the  above- 

I  mentioned  provisions : 

'  4,  Not  more  than  one-half  of  the  capital  of  the  company,  and  of  any  sums  received 
by  the  company  by  way  of  gift  or  bequest,  shall  be  applied  in  the  purchase  of  lands 
or  the  purpose  of  construction  of  buildings  or  works  upon  or  the  development  of 
the  lands  to  be  acquired  by  the  company,  and  the  rest  shall,  so  far  as  may  from  time 
to  time  be  necessary,  be  applied  in  or  towards  paying  the  expenses  of  transport  and 

,  otherwise  assisting  the  emigrants  and  for  the  other  purposes  of  the  company. 

;  15.  The  company  shall  not  recognize  more  than  one  person  as  the  holder  of  a  share 
warrant,  but  they  may  nevertheless  issue  share  warrants  to  any  person  or  persons, 
whether  a  member  or  members  of  the  company  or  not,  on  behalf  of  or  as  trustee  or 
trustees  for  any  public  or  private  association  or  society  of  persons,  whether  incor- 
porated or  not,  and  whether  resident  or  constituted  in  the  United  Kingdom  or  else- 
where. 

25.  The  affairs  and  business  of  the  company  shall  be  under  the  general  control  of 
a  council  of  administration,  to  consist  of  not  more  than  six  or  less  than  three  per- 
sons, none  of  whom  are  required  to  be  members  of  the  company,  and  who  shall  (sub- 
ject to  the  following  article)  be  elected  by  the  company  in  general  meeting  and  shall 
hold  office  for  five  years.  At  the  expiration  of  each  period  of  five  years  a  fresh 
council  shall  (subject  as  aforesaid)  be  elected,  but  any  member  of  the  old  council 
shall  be  eligible  for  reelection. 

26.  Any  member  or  members  holding  at  least  one-sixth  of  the  whole  number  of 
shares  of  the  company  may  nominate  himself  or  one  of  themselves  or  any  other 
person  (whether  a  member  of  the  company  or  not)  to  be  a  member  of  the  council, 
and  in  the  event  of  death,  resignation,  or  removal  of  such  member,  may  nominate  a 
substitute. 

30.  Members  of  the  council  shall  receive  no  remuneration,  but  shall  be  reimbursed 
out  of  the  funds  of  the  company  all  traveling  and  other  expenses  incurred  by  them 
for  the  purpose  of  attending  meetings  or  otherwise  fulfilling  their  duties. 

31.  Meetings  of  the  council  shall  be  held  at  such  places  in  Europe  and  at  such 
|time^  and  upon  such  notice  as  the  council  shall  from  time  to  time  determine,  but 
not  less  than  four  times  a  year.  The  time  and  place  of  each  meeting  shall,  if  prac- 
ticable, be  fixed  at  th«  preceding  metiting,  but  in  all  cases  notices  of  the  meetings 

H.  Ex.  236 18 


274    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

shall  be  sent  to  the  members  of  the  council.     In  any  urgent  cases  any  member  of  the 
council  may  convene  a  meeting. 

36.  The  council  of  administration  shall  appoint  and  remove  the  directors,  prepare 
and  submit  to  the  members  reports  and  balance  sheets  of  the  affairs  and  tinances  of 
the  company,  and  determine  the  countries  and  districts  in  which  colonies  are  to  be 
founded  or  settlements  made,  and  the  countries  and  places  from  which  emigrants 
are  to  be  taken ;  subject  to  the  rules  which,  shall  be  submitted  to  and  adopted  by 
the  company  in  general  meeting  defining  their  duties  and  powers,  and  said  council 
shall  exercise  a  general  control  over  the  affairs  of  the  company. 

37.  The  number  of  directors  shall  be  three  or  any  less  number  that  shall  be  de* 
termined  by  the  council  of  administration,  who  shall  also  fill  up  any  vacancies  aris- 
ing by  death  or  otherwise.  None  of  the  directors  need  be  a  member  of  the  com- 
pany. 

38.  A  director  shall  not  be  at  liberty  to  carry  on  or  be  interested  in  any  other 
business  but  that  of  the  company,  and  shall  devote  his  w^hole  time  to  the  affairs  of  j 
the  company. 

39.  The  council  shall  be  at  liberty  to  pay  such  remuneration  to  each  director  as 
they  shall  find  fit,  and  to  secure  to  him  compensation  of  not  more  than  the  amount  i 
of  his  annual  salary  in  the  event  of  his  being  dismissed  bel^re  t^ie  expiration  of  the 
time  for  which  he  was  engaged  without  any  dereliction  of  duty  on  his  part. 

43.  In  the  event  of  any  gains  or  profits  being  made  by  the  company  by  the  resale  ' 
of  lands  or  property  purchased  or  other  arising  from  carrying  out  its  objects,  all  such 
gains  and  profits  of  the  company,  as  well  as  all  sums  received  by  way  of  donation 
and  be  juest,  shall  be  applied  for  the  same  purpose  as  the  original  capital. 

50.  In  the  event  of  the  company  being  wound  up  after  all  the  debts  and  liabilities 
of  the  company  have  been  discharged,  all  persons  who  shall  at  any  time  hold  any 
lands  or  property  granted  to  them  or  their  predecessors  in  title  by  the  company  shall  | 
retain  the  same  free  from  any  annual  or  other  sums  then  due  or  thereafter  to  become 
due  from  them  to  the  company,  and  the  winding  up  shall  ipso  facto  operate  as  releas- 
ing them  from  all  such  payments,  and  also  as  releasing  any  persons  to  whom  ad- 
vances or  assistance,  pecuniary  or  otherwise,  shall  have  been  made  or  given,  or  the 
persons  liable  to  respect  of  such  advances  or  assistance,  from  all  sums  due  in  respect 
of  the  same.  The  rest  of  the  property  of  the  company  shall  be  applied  as  the  com- 
pany in  general  meeting  shall  determine  for  the  benefit  of  members  of  the  Jewish 
community  residing  out  of  Europe  and  in  need  of  pecuniary  aid. 

I  copied  these  articles  of  incorporation  from  one  of  tlie  infliieiitial 
papers  of  tlie  Hebrew  societies  in  London,  and  the  articles  wnich  are  ; 
not  lierein  given  were  missing,  and  I  was  unable  to  obtain  them. 

I  may  add  that  Baron  Hirsch  is  himself  an  Austrian,  and  we  may 
expect  a  very  large  quota,  not  alone  of  Kussians,  but  Austrians,  Poles,  ! 
and  Hungarians,  who  will  take  advantage  of  the  benehcial  features  of 
the  Hirsch  fund  as  long  as  hypnotic  inlluences  can  obscure  the  i)lain  ; 
meaning  of  the  word  ^'pauper"  in  the  existing  law  and  prevent  its  en- ' 
forcement  at  certain  ports. 

Although  the  Hirsch  organization  is  at  once  a  bank,  a  loan  and  trust  , 
company,  a  public  carrier,  a  land  syndicate,  and  a  nationality,  yet  it  is 
the  most  exclusive  of  all  artificial  bodies.     None  but  Hebrews  need 
apply.      Every  well  organized  scheme  of  immigration  has  numerous  ' 
agents,  and  in  the  case  under  consideration  these  agents  are  educating 
the  Jewish  masses  in  the  beneficial  features  of  the  plan.    The  steam- 
ship companies  meanwhile  are  placing  themselves  within  reach  of  the  ' 
toppling  avalanche;  an  army  of  paupers  are,  so  to  speak,  to  be  drilled 
to  invade  this  country,  which  is  expected  to  absorb  the  weakness  of 
other  lands,  and  to  decrease  in  greatness  and  in  general  welfare  in  in-  . 
verse  ratio  to  our  increase  in  population  and  plutocracy.  ■ 

This  is  understood  on  the  other  side,  and  our  self-complacency  on 
the  score  of  our  unreal  population  is  a  source  of  great  amusement  to 
the  originators  of  this,  the  most  gigantic  emigration  scheme  ever  known 
in  history.  To  form  a  correct  estimate  of  its  far  reaching  designs  it 
only  needs  a  cursory  examination  of  its  aims  and  powers.  They  have 
well  studied  the  situation,  and  are,  therefore,  by  license  of  the  board 
of  trade,  ordered  to  negotiate  with  steamship  and  other  companies,  a 
politic  stroke  of  business  to  boost  the  foreign  ocean  carrying  trade, 
and  at  the  same  time  relieve  their  plethora  of  pauper*  population. 


1 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     275 

These  emigration  agents  Lave  by  unparallelled  astuteness  possessed 
themselves  of  tlie  active  cooperation  of  Her  Majesty's  Government,  and 
charitable  associations  of  London  and  the  Continent  have  received  the 
hint,  as  I  can  tell  by  experience  they  were  not  averse,  to  assist  i^ersous 
they  believed  to  be  paupers  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States.  Emi- 
gration is  the  expiring  eHbrt  of  hoary  monarchies  to  rid  themseles  of 
paupers  whom  no  standing  armies  or  extra  police  can  much  longer  de- 
grade below  the  level  of  humanity;  and  I  protest  against  such  efforts 
which  subject  my  native  land  to  the  fearful  contagion  of  manners, 
morals,  diseases,  and  customs  which  are  a  disgrace  to  the  countries 
whence  they  come.  There  is  no  power  without  responsibility.  Let  the 
responsibility  for  its  abuse  rest  where  it  belongs.  At  this  time  the 
United  States  has  no  peer  on  earth;  but  at  the  rate  we  are  absorbing 
the  detritus  of  Europe  (about  750,000  annually),  we  will  soon  be  like 
the  house  the  foolish  man  built  upon  the  sand. 

The  intention  of  the  committee's  "colonization  societies,"  etc.,  is  to  em- 
igrate from  Europe  to  the  other  parts  of  the  world  named,  and  in  their 
appeal  for  aid  at  the  meetings  in  Liverpool  and  elsewhere  the  state- 
ment is  clearly  made  that  funds  contributed  will  not  be  used  in  bring- 
ing emigTants  to  Europe,  but  to  send  them  abroad,  which  statements 
were  a])plauded  in  the  open  meeting  attended  by  Commissioner  l\)\v- 
derly  and  m3\self  at  Liverpool,  November  1,  1891.  (See  Liverpool  daily 
pa])er>^.) 

There  are  numerous  boards  of  guardians'  societies  and  other  insti- 
tutions with  branches  in  all  the  principal  cities  of  Europe,  who  are  ask- 
ing, and  even  in  this  country  they  are  now  asking,  for  general  subscrip- 
tions to  emigration  funds.  At  a  recent  meeting  held  in  Liverpool, 
which  we  attended  on  the  date  above  mentioned,  the  subscription  in  one 
evening  netted  £1,091  Is.  Id.-,  and  a  great  many  of  the  donors  agreed 
to  renew  their  subscriptions  annually  for  live  years.  (Liveri)ool  Courier, 
November  !i,  1891.) 

The  four  great  Hebrew  charity  organizations  in  New  York  recently 
formed  a  central  committee,  which  issued  an  appeal  to  the  citizens  of 
America  to  help  with  money  and  care  for  emigrants  of  their  faith,  at 
Temple  Emanuel,  Fifth  avenue  and  Eorty-third  street,  New  York  City. 
Special  Agents  Reichow  and  Frank  cited  manj^  pitiful  cases  of  these 
poor  emigrants  who  arrived  here  without  friends  or  money,  and  wdiom 
they  had  helped.  The  contributions  reported  at  the  meeting  which  re- 
sulted from  this  appeal  netted  $70,130.  Most  of  this  money  is  being 
spent,  together  with  the  Hirsch  fund  quota,  at  the  rate  of  about  $21,000 
per  month,  according  to  their  statements  given  to  the  press,  in  assist- 
ing so-called  refugees,  and  providing  in  various  ways,  but  principally 
in  purchasing  tickets  for  their  passage  hither  and  to  their  destination, 
and  furnishing  them  with  peddling  outfits  with  which  to  commence 
business. 

The  streets  of  the  larger  cities  of  this  country,  and  even  the  country 
roads,  show  the  effect  of  this  class  of  emigration,  which  during  the  past 
six  months  amounted  to  50,000  who  held  liussian  passports  alone;  but 
a^  great  numbers  are  from  Austria-Hungary,  Poland,  Roumania,  Gal- 
licia,  etc.,  and  sail  from  Antwerj),  Havre,  Amsterdam,  Rotterdam,  and 
other  places  where  no  passports  are  required,  and  as  large  numbers 
start  from  Bremen  and  Hamburg,  all  of  whom  speak  the  German  or 
some  other  language  besides  their  ow^n,  in  my  judgment  the  German 
and  other  emigration  statistics  are  swelled  by  those  persons  who  are 
aot  born  in  the  country  from  whence  the^i  embark,  and  who  should  be 
charged  wh^e  tkey  belong. 


T^ 


276    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

The  organizations  above  referred  to  have  agents  in  all  the  principal 
cities  of  Europe,  some  of  vrlioni  appear  in  the  guise  of  philanthropists. 
In  Holland  I  found  Mr.  Dents,  member  of  the  Amsterdam  Jewish  com- 
mittee, to  be  a  very  energetic  worker  in  expediting  his  coreligionists  to 
the  United  States;  also,  Mr.  Wertheim,  of  the  firm  of  Wertheim  & 
Oomperts,  Amsterdam.  These  energetic  gentlemen  took  no  interest  in 
anybody  except  Jews,  and  volunteered  the  information  that  they  had 
no  connection  with  the  Baron  Hirsch  fund. 

As  is  very  pertinently  stated  by  one  of  the  American  consuls  in  Ger- 
many, it  is  ''  hard  indeed  to  submit  such  proof  as  a  court  of  law  -would 
consider  sufficient;  and  yet  your  committee  and  the  American  people 
know  that  hundreds  of  emigrants  go  to  America  when  they  can  not  go 
elsewhere."  ^'  Which  means,  of  course,"  he  adds,  ^*  that  Europe  is  un- 
loading undesirable  persons  on  us." 

For  this  reason  I  have  quoted  largely  from  sworn  testimony  to  prove 
the  statements  which  are  made,  and  Avhich  have  ever  been  denied,  but 
never  disproved.  I  have  selected  the  testimony  of  prominent  Hebrews 
to  prove  these  facts,  because  I  knew  they  were  unprejudiced. 

Sivorn   testimony  talcen  before  the  Select    Committee  on   Emigration   and  Immigration 
{foreigners);  Rouse  of  Commons.     Exhibit  A.  I.     Extract,  page  117. 

Examination  of  Hermann  Landau,  member  of  the  Jewisli  board  of  guardians, 
vi^-e-president  of  the  Poor  Jew's  Tem})orary  Shelter;  and  one  who  takes  a  general 
interest  in  the  welfare  of  poor  JeAvish  inljaijitants  of  London. 

2369,  Question,  Does  not  the  arrival  of  these  poor  forei.ij;uors  (meaning  Hebrews) 
tend  to  overcrowd  the  labor  market  and  make  it  more  diflicultfor  those  who  are  liv- 
ing in  the  east-end  of  London  to  get  full  employment? 

Answer,  In  my  opinion  it  does  not  affect  tlie  trade  at  all,  or  to  a  very  slight  extent 
at  all  events, 

2370,  Question,  But  if  there  is  such  a  difficulty  in  getting  full  employment  one 
would  conclude  that  the  greater  number  that  come  into  London  from  abroad  would 
make  it  more  difficult  to  get  full  employment  ? 

Answer.  I  do  not  think  so,  because  the  people  that  are  here  already  do  not  and 
can  not  get  full  employment,  and  a  great  many  of  those  are  sent  to  America  for  the 
purpose  of  bettering  themselves, 

2371,  Question.  Do  you  mean  that  they  areseti  ^ftt'X  they  have  been  some  time  in 
this  country? 

Answer.  Yes;  the  board  of  guardian*  send  a  good  many  families  away  to  America. 

2372  Question,  After  being  two  or  three  years  in  England? 

Answer.  Yes  and  longer. 

2373.  Question.  Is  there  no  objection  made  in  America  to  receiveing  them? 

Answer.  No;  it  is  only  this  morning  that  I  have  received  the  report  of  the  United 
Hebrew  Charities  of  New  York,  in  which  I  lind  that  they  do  not  complain  on  that 
score,  and  there  seems  to  be  no  difficulty,  because  they  say:  "  We  should  be  want- 
ing in  our  duty  were  we  to  omit  to  state  the  difficulties  we  encounter  through  the 
iminigration  of  persons  incapable  of  work."  Then  they  say:  "With  all  the  sym- 
pathy for  their  i)osition,  we  can  not  find  the  means  to  permanently  help  these  help- 
less people  in  a  community  that  has  no  care  for  thousands  of  impoverished,  aged,  and 
weakly  persons.  People  unable  to  work  should  be  warned  against  immigration 
which  must  result  in  bitter  disappointment  in  a  foreign  land,  and  in  most  cases 
making  their  position  worse  instead  of  better  from  a  material  point  of  view."  But 
they  never  complain  of  people  w-ho  are  able  to  work.     *     *     * 

2393.  Question.  Is  it  correct  to  say  that  the  majority  of  the  moneyed  class  have  from 
£2  to  £3  in  their  pockets? 

Answer.  Yes. 

2394.  Question.  Yon  do  not  suppose  that  that  is  sufficient  to  carry  a  man  to  America 
and  maintain  him  there  until  he  gets  work?' 

Answer.  No,  They  originally  start  with  an  amount  sufficient  to  carry  them  on  to 
their  destination. 

2395.  Question.  WTiat  do  you  call  that  amount? 

Answer,  Six  or  seven  pounds;  but  they  first  of  all  have  to  run  the  gauntlet  of  the 
frontier  guard  in  Russia.  A  man  is  obliged  to  have  a  particular  passport  and  he  is 
not  allowed  to  leave  the  country  without  it.    It  has  happened  that  aometimes  there 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    277 

in' a  very  goo il-iia tilled  (as  I  niiglit  call  him)  frontier  guard  who  will  accept  a  rouble 
for  tlie  privilege  of  letting  him  go,  whereas  another  -will  insist  upon  recoiving 
twenty  roubles,  and,  of  course,  if  you  take  twenty  roubles  out  of  fifty  it  makes  a 
very  large  hole  in  it. 

2398.  Question.  Still  you  do  not  mean  to  tell  the  committee  that  men  with  £3 
in  their  pockets  are  in  a  position  to  go  on  to  America  and  make  their  way  there? 

Answer.  When  they  start  for  America  they  generally  have  a  letter  from  America, 
from  relatives  or  friends  inviting  them  to  come. 

2399.  Question.  And  they  are  provided  for  when  they  get  there? 
Answer,  Yes.     *     *     *. 

2409.  Question.  You  have  brought  the  report  of  the  Shelter;  vdll  you  kindly  read 
the  first  few  lines  in  the  "■  Constitution  of  Poor  Jews'  Temporary  Shelter"  for  1875- 
'76,  and  tell  me  Avhether  you  agree  with  it  or  not? 

Answer.  I  have  not  brought  that  with  me. 

2410.  Question.  I  will  read  it  to  you  and  ask  you,  in  connection  Avith  the  Shelter, 
whether  you  agree  with  it:  ''The  influx  of  homeless  and  helpless  foreign  Jews, 
driven  by  force  of  circumstances  to  seek  a  livelihood  to  England,  being  sadly  on  the 
increase  and  unduly  pressing  on  their  struggling  brethren  already  here,  this  society 
is  formed  with  a  view  to  prevent  newcomers  from  either  being  driven  to  the  mission 
house  or  lapsing  into  pauperism  and  becoming  a  burden  upon  the  community;"  do 
you  agree  with  that? 

Answer.  Yes;  but  I  wish  to  qualify  this,  with  your  permission.  I  think  we  all 
know  that  all  charities  are  allawed  a  certain  amount  of  exaggeration,  by  which  they 
appeal  to  the  charitable.  We  know  that  the  hospitals  generally  appeal  for  funds 
and  say  that  they  are  in  a  bankrupt  state,  and  so  we  have  to  appeal  to  charity. 
We  could  not  enter  into  all  the  details  of  the  work  done  in  the  institution  for  the 
purpose  of  relieving  England  of  a  large  number  of  people  who  would  otherwise  stay 
here,  and  so  we  put  it  on  the  ground  of  charity  in  order  to  get  some  funds. 

24i4.  Question.  What  is  the  meaning  of  this  passage  in  speaking  of  the  Shelter? 
Question  2159,  page  106,  you  are  asked,  ''What  is  the  exact  object  of  the  Shelter  for 
the  immigrants  to  this  country? ''  and  you  answered,  "To  forward  them  and  pro- 
tect them  in  this  way:  We  have  often  a  Belgian,  or  a  German,  or  a  Hungarian,  or  an 
Austrian  coming  to  the  Shelter  for  a  similar  position,  but  those  we  send  either  to  the 
consulate  or  certain  charitable  societies  of  those  countries,  and  in  almost  all  cases, 
excepting  where  a  man  is  known  to  bo  an  impostor  (and  there  are  some,  though  very 
few),  they  are  taken  in  hand  and  dispatched  by  those  societies  either  to  their  homes 
or  to  some  other  destination  whither  they  are  anxious  to  go."  You  are  the  medium, 
then,  between  the  immigrants  and  those  various  charitable  societies? 

Answer.  Yes. 

2415.  Question.  And  those  societies  you  mention  in  the  conclusion  of  your  answer 
do  practically  the  work  of  sending  them  either  back  to  their  own  country,  or  forward 
them  to  the  United  States? 

Answer.  Yes;  exactly  so. 

Examination  of  Mr.  Lionel  Alexander,  a  prominent  Hebrew,  connected  with 
the  Board  of  Guardians  and  Russo-Jewish  Society. 

3545.  Question.  To  your  knowledge,  are  many  returned  from  America  as  no  good? 

Answer.  I  was  reading  a  report  the  other  day  of  an  institution  in  America  similar 
to  our  own,  wherein  it  is  stated  that  very,  very  few,  indeed,  were  returned;  I  am  not 
quite  sure,  but  I  think  the  small  number  of  197  cases  have  been  returned  during  the 
whole  year  was  mentioned. 

3540.  Question.  What  report  are  you  referring  to? 

Answer.  I  have  not  it  here;  I  believe  it  was  an  extract  of  the  report  of  the  United 
Hebrew  Charities.  I  am  almost  sure  I  am  correct  in  saying  it  was  an  extract  from 
that.     That  is  an  institution  in  New  York  which  looks  after  the  Jewish  poor. 

3547.  Question.  That  only  refers  to  Jews ? 

Answer,  It  only  refers,  but  that  figure  did  not  necessarily  refer  to  Jews  returned 
to  England,  it  meant  returned  everywhere.  I  may  mention  that  the  ex))erience  of 
my  board  is  that  we  have  never  had  returned  to  this  country,  to  our  knowledge,  any 
case  that  has  been  sent  out  by  us,  and  we  attribute  that  to  the  fact  that  we  are  per- 
haps extra  careful  in  our  selection. 

3549.  Question.  How  much  of  the  Mansion  House  fund*  was  distributed  by  your 
association? 

Answer.  One  thousand  one  hundred  pounds  (over  $5,000). 

3550.  Question.  And  you  think  they  were  attracted  to  London  by  that  ? 
Answer.  Yes;  I  am  sure  of  it.     The  people  whom  we  found  to  be  so  attracted,  and 

*The  Mansion  House  fund  is  under  the  direction  of  the  lord  mavor,  and  the  contrv 
butioas  during  the  year  1888-'89  amounted  to  £151,000  (about  $750,000). 


278    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

who  only  came  to  get  something,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  did  not  get  auythiug,  but  thcys 
came  over  here  lor  the  chance.  i 

3551.  Question.  Have  they  gone  back  again,  or  have  they  remained  stationary  here! 

Answer.  Particuhir  individuals  it  is  difficult  to  trace,  but  the  certain  fact  is  tliat 
very  lew  turned  up  again  asking  for  further  relief,  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  that 
they  wandered  farther,  or  went  back,  which  is  more  probable.  : 

3o52.  Question.  You  stated,  did  you  not,  that  the  police  regulations  at  Hamburg; 
put  a  stop  to  the  operations  of  your  board 'in  trying  to  return  poor  people  to  this' 
country  ?  i 

Answer.  Yes. 

3553.  Question.  It  is  one  of  the  objects  of  your  board  to  return  people? 
Answer.  Yes,  distinctly.     It  is  one  of  our  largest  operations  sending  back  people 

who,  having  wandered  here,  prove  themselves  to  be  useless  or  helpless,  and  to  tliose- 
whom  we  did  not  think  ht  to  send  forw^ard  we  refused  any  relief  other  than  that  of 
sending  them  back  to  their  homes. 

3554.  Question.  Have  you  a  great  many  of  that  sort? 

Answer.  A  very  large  number.  The  figures  are  before  the  committee  in  the  state- 
ments that  I  have  made.  May  I  say  one  word  as  to  the  police  regulations  at  Ham- 
burg. Some  doubt  was  cast  upon  the  fact  that  such  regulations  existed,  and  I  find  I 
have  here  a  copy  of  a  notice  which  was  sent  over  to  my  board  in  1886,  when  they 
promulgated  it.  This  notice  was  served  on  the  shipping  companies  at  Hamburg  (it 
was  not  served  on  us),  calling  their  attention  to  the  fact  that  they  did  not  allow  use- 
less wanderers  to  come  into  the  port  of  Hamburg,  and  that  thej^  would  hold  those 
shipping  companies  liable  to  take  the  people  back  again  if  they  attempted  to  land 
them,  and  required  notice  to  be  given  to  the  police  of  such  cargoes,  and  I  hold  in  my 
hand  a  translation  of  that  notice. 

3555.  Question.  Will  you  kindly  read  it? 

Answer.  ''Free  and  Hanse  Town,  Hamburg.  The  police  office,  Hamburg,  18th 
September,  1886.  In  consequence  of  the  various  difficulties  which  have  arisen,  that 
by  means  of  vessels  between  here  and  England  gipsies  and  other  persons  not  belong- 
ing to  the  German  Empire  have  arrived  here  whose  continuation  of  the  journey, 
either  to  their  homes  or  to  America  or  to  other  parts  beyond  the  ocean,  has  proven 
to  be  difficult  or  even  impossible,  I  feel  prompted  to  call  your  attention  to  the  dis- 
patch of  such  individuals,  alike  whether  the  same  are  with  or  witliout  means,  and  to 
again  recommend  you  the  greatest  care;  that  tlie  police  will  hohl  you  responsible 
for  any  breach  of  these  and  such  other  previous  warnings  and  for  any  losses  incurred 
by  the  state.  At  the  same  time  I  make  it  your  duty  to  give  orders  to  the  ca|)taius 
representing  your  company  that  in  all  cases  where  persons  of  above  named  descrip- 
tion are  carried,  ioimediately  on  arrival  of  the  vessel  in  this  port  to  give  notice  to 
the  police  of  the  presence  of  such  persons  on  board,  and  with  all  means  in  tlieir 
power  to  see  that  the  same  individuals  should  not  disembark  until  special  permission 
is  given  by  the  police.  Should  it,  however,  that  such  individuals,  without  tlie  cog- 
nizance or  will  of  the^olice  disembark,  such  circumstances  would  not  alter  this  or 
any  previous  order  as  to  your  responsibilities.  In  conclusion,  I  express  the  hope 
that  you  will  do  the  utmost  to  facilitate  the  etfect  of  this  strict  supervision.  (Signed) 
Senator  Kuuhardt,  Dr."  Why  that  was  prohibitive  to  us  was  this:  Because  tlio 
shipping  companies  refused  to  take  people  over  unless  w^e  gave  them  a  guarantee 
that  if  they  were  not  admitted  at  Hamburg  we  would  pay  the  fare  for  them  coming 
back. 

3556.  Question.  Y'^ou  went  to  Hamburg  yourself,  did  you  not,  in  consequence  of  that? 
Answer.  I  did. 

3557.  Question.  What  happened  to  you  there? 

Answer.  I  interviewed  the  leading  Jewish  authorities  and  the  various  committees 
that  existed  there,  and  I  got  them  in  their  turn  to  interview  the  police  with  the 
object  of  gaining  permission  for  the  entry  of  all  sorts  of  persons  so  long  as  they 
remained  there  only  about  twenty-four  hours,  and  were  received  by  some  one  repre- 
senting us,  and  in  turn  dispatched  by  him  on  to  Berlin,  and  that  in  Berlin  the  people 
should  again  be  received  by  an  agent  of  ours,  and  be  dispatched  again  from  Berlin 
within  forty-eight  hours  almost  right  across  the  Russian  frontier  in  the  case  of  Rus- 
sians, and  in  the  case  of  Roumanians  across  the  Roumanian  frontier,  but  out  of  Ger- 
many at  any  rate. 

3558.  Question.  Did  you  after  that  discourage  people  coming  over  here? 
Answer.  While  I  was  there  I  did  all  I  possibly  could  to  discourage  people,  and  I 

thought  the  best  w^ay  to  go  about  that  would  be  to  arrange  that  the  continental  com- 
mittees should  not  assist  the  people  onwards  to  London,  which  they  had  done  before 
very  largely.  Of  course  it  seemed  the  cheapest  plan  for  them  to  get  rid  of  the  people 
by  giving  them  a  trifle  to  come  to  Lond(m,  but  I  found  it  not  a  very  difficult  job  to 
persuade  a  German  not  to  give  something,  and  thev  readilv  fell  in  with  my  views 
when  I  told  them  that  financially  they  woiild  be  better  off  if  they  did  not  give  it. 

3559.  Question.  You  say  that  you  issued  ciiculars  to  them f 


^ 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTEACT  LABOR  LAWS.     27  9 

Answer.  Yes;  I  have  handed  in  two  circulars  which  we  issued,  one  to  the  conti- 
nental committees  which  I  propose  should  be  placed  in  the  possession  of  the  commit- 
tee, and  one  which  is  a  general  notice  which  was  put  into  most  of  the  newspapers  Id 
the  various  towns  through  which  those  people  generally  passed,  and  written  in  Ger- 
man because  they  nearly  all  read  German.  We  also  were  successful  in  getting  a  large 
number  of  continental  papers  to  put  in  editorial  notices  of  warning. 

3560.  Question.  Had  they  any  effect? 
Answer.  I  think  they  had  a  very  marked  effect. 

3561.  Question.  In  what  way? 

Answer.  The  number  of  those  who  came  was  almost  immediately  reduced. 

3567.  Question.  Have  you  any  knowledge  or  is  there  any  way  of  ascertaining  the 
number  of  foreigners  who  come  into  London  every  week  or  every  month! 

Answer.  I  know  of  no  means  whatever. 

3568.  Question.  You  have  no  idea,  have  you,  of  the  number  of  foreign  immigrants 
that  do  come  in  ? 

Answer.  No;  I  have  no  means  whatever  of  knowing  other  than  those  who  are 
either  belonging  absolutely  to  the  pauper  class  or  who  are  in  need. 

3569.  Question.  And  those  only  Jews? 
Answer.  Yes,  those  only  Jews. 

3570.  Question.  Have  you  no  means  of  knowing  those  other  than  Jews? 
Answer.  1  have  no  means  whatever  of  knowing.     My  board  know  practically  all 

the  paupers  and  almost  all  needy  people  who  are  .Jews. 

3571.  Question.  The  conclusion  which  you  arrive  at,  as  I  understand,  is  this:  ''The 
board  have  removed  from  London  probably  more  poverty-stricken  cases  of  Jews  than 
have  come  here?"" 

Answer.  Yes. 

3572.  Question.  But  you  have  really  no  proper  record  of  where  the  people  have 
come  from,  excepting  those  who  come  to  the  board. 

Answer.  By  public  record. 

3600.  Question.  Have  you  ever  seen  advertisements  in  the  Jewish  newspapers  in 
the  east  end  of  Loudon  offering  employment  to  foreigners  especially? 

Answer.  No,  I  have  not;  but  I  have  read  an  advertisement  which  was  insertedby 
Mr.  Arnold  White,!  which  I  think  was  calculated  to  bring  x)eople  here,  offering  to  send 
them  to  America,  or  something  of  that  sort. 

3640.  Question.  You  have  some  evidence  about  the  returning  of  a  certain  limited 
nnm])er  of  pau])er  immigrants  from  America;  are  you  aware  of  any  cas»\s  of  pauper 
unmigrauts  who.  having  been  rejected  in  America,  have  been  refused  admittan<e  into 
;  Germany,  from  where  they  originally  came,  and  being  obliged  to  land  in  England? 

Answer.  We  have  had  cases  sent  back  from  America  who  originally  were  sent  Irom 
Hamburg,  but  we  have  always  assisted  those  people  to  go  back  homo  to  Russia  at 
<  once. 
'     3641.  Question.  But  were  they  refused  admittance  to  Hamburg? 

Answer.  No;  they  were  sent  back  direct  from  America  to  this  country,  and  they 

were  reshipped  and  sent  back  again  to  their  homes,  and  I  think  I  may  say  that  almost 

without  excej)tion  they  always  desired  to  go,  and  were  only  too  willing  to  go  at  once. 

!     3644,  Question.  Last  week  we  had  evidence  about  the  immigration  of  foreigners 

into  Liverpool;  do  you  know  anything  about  that  at  all? 

Answer.  Yes;  I  have  just  received  from  Liverpool,  only  this  morning,  the  report  of 
the  Board  of  Guardians  for  the  relief  of  the  Jewish  poor  of  Liverpool,  which  is  made 
up  to  the  end  of  May  this  year,  and  I  would  like,  if  I  might  be  permitted,  just  to 
read  a  dozen  lines  from  the  opening  paragraph  of  that  report.     It  says: 

"A  cry  hiis  been  raised  that  .Jewish  paupers  arrive  in  this  country  in  excessive 
numbers,  and  Parliament  has  appointed  a  special  committee  to  consider  the  whole 
question  of  immigration.  Whatever  facts  may  be  elicited  by  inquiry,  the  experience 
of  the  board  does  not  lead  it  to  conclude  that,  so  far  as  Liverpool  at  least  is  concerned, 
any  alarm  need  be  felt  in  this  direction.  Poor  Jews  do  undoubtedly  arrive  in  this 
city  from  Russia  and  Poland,  and  occasionally  take  up  their  residence  here,  but  the 
number  of  such  settlers  is  too  snuill  to  give  rise  to  any  fear  or  uneasiness.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  board  in  conjunction  with  the  society  for  assisting  foreigners  in  dis- 
tress, frequently  helps  in  repatriating  such  new  comers  as,  after  a  short  residence 
here,  find  it  impossible  to  gain  a  livelihood,  a  step  which  must  prove  a  serious  check 
on  emigration  to  this  country." 

3645.  Question.  Evidence  has  been  given  here  at  questions  1163  and  1164  to  this 
effect,  speaking  of  jjeople  who  arrive  here  without  money. 

*This  means  that  this  society  has  diverted  not  alone  all  foreign  pauper  Jews  who 
have  arrived  in  Great  Britain,  but  has  '"assisted"  many  of  their  native  born  jjaupers 
to  emigrate  to  America.     This  fact  is  proven  by  our  statistics  for  1891. 

tMr,  Arnold  White  is  to-day  the  i)cr,sonal  representative  of  Baron  Hirsch  in  mat- 
ters relating  to  the  emigration  of  Russian  Jews  wiio  are  paupers. 


280    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

yuestion.  Do  you  know  if  tliey  borrow  money! 

Answer.  Yes. 

Question.  Do  you  know  what  they  pay  for  it? 

Answer.  I  have  Leeu  given  to  uiulerstand  that  of  late  the  Jewish  board  of  gnart 
ians,  whether  it  is  true  or  not.  I  do  not  know,  will  not  relieve  any  of  them  unle; 
they  have  been  here  a  certain  period,  but  on  tindiug  securities,  they  can  have  mone 
lent  them  to  start  them  in  business,  or  lm\any  purpose  that  might  be  necessary,  an 
that  without  any  interest  whatever. 

Question.  Is  that  true  with  regard  to  the  Jewish  board  of  guardians! 

Answer.  Absolutely  untrue.     May  I  ask  whose  evidence  that  is? 

3646.  Question.  It  is  the  evidence  of  a  Mr.  Henry  Dejonge.  He  says  in  answer  t 
question  No.  1210:  *^Can  they  speak  no  English  words  at  all? — A.  The  only  Englis 
words  I  have  heard  them  utter  are  'board  of  guardians/  and  that  they  know  as  soo 
as  they  arrive  in  good  English."  Have  you  any  knowledge  whether  that  is  correc 
or  not? 

Answer.  It  is  very  difficult  to  say  what  amount  of  knowledge  people  have  ( 
EugMsh.  It  is  a  matter  of  fact  that,  although  when  they  arrive  they  may  know  d 
more  English  than  that,  they  easily  acquire  it  when  they  been  here  a  short  time 
It  is  probable  that  they  may  know  the  address  of  the  Jewish  board  of  guardians;  i' 
may  have  been  given  to  them  at  home,  or  on  the  Continent;  that  is  quite  probabh 
and  if  that  be  the  case  it  would  rather  strengthen  my  contention  that  we  know  c 
the  entry  of  all  such  people.  ~^ 

3647.  Question.  It  says  here,  at  question  1216,  ^'And  they  are  expecting,  when  the 
reach  our  shores,  to  be  assisted  financially  by  the  board  of  guardians,  and  tha 
would  be  a  powerful  motive  that  would  induce  them  to  come  here."  And  the  answe 
is:  "It  would  be  a  partial  attraction  to  this  country."  Do  you  believe  that  the 
have  any  ground  for  expecting  that  they  shall  be  assisted  financially  by  the  boar 
of  guardians  when  they  arrive  in  this  country  ? 

Answer.  I  think  they  have  every  ground  for  thinking  the  contrary,  because  thos 
who  come  here  and  can  not  get  on,  and  whom  we  send  back  again,  would  naturall 
tell  the  story — we  can  get  nothing  out  of  the  Jewish  board  of  guardians  in  LondoB 
excepting  a  ticket  for  to  come  back  home. 

3648.  Question.  At  page  166,  in  your  evidence,  you  refer,  I  fancy,  to  amission  *  whie 
Dr.  Asher  and  I  undertook  for  the  Mansion  House  committee  to  Gallicia  to  consult  th 
emigration  committee  in  Limberg  and  Brodie? 

Answer.  I  referred  to  that  and  another  mission  which  another  gentleman  kindl;, 
undertook  for  us. 

3649.  Question.  Can  you  state  that  through  the  action  of  that  committee  in  Gallicia 
and  their  corresponding  committees  in  Loudon  and  Liverpool,  a  large  number  of  emi 
grants  were  sent  away  to  America  who  might  otherwise  have  located  themselves  ii 
London? 

Answer.  Distinctly  so ;  they  might  have  wandered  sooner  or  later  to  London ;  a  ver 
large  number  of  them,  I  feel  sure,  would  have  done  so. 

3650.  Question.  You  are  aware  that  the  large  sums  supplied  by  the  subscriptions 
to  the  Mansion  House  fund  have  been  employed  in  sending  Russian  refugees  directl; 
to  America. 

Answer.  Very  large. 

Examination  of  Moses  Weiner,  formerly  an  innkeeper  in  Roumania. 

1723.  Question.  Is  it  your  intention  to  remain  in  London  ? 

Answer.  My  intention  was  when  leaving  Roumania  to  go  with  two  friends  wh( 
were  about  to  proceed  to  America,  and  who  promised  to  defray  my  expenses  there 
but  on  reaching  the  Roumanian  border,  these  two  friends  of  mine  were  returnee 
again  into  the  country,  and  I  left  them  to  come  to  England. 

(It  will  be  seen  that  the  friends  who  had  money  were  not  allowed  to  leave  theii 
own  country,  but  that  the  pauper  who  had  none  was  allowed  to  pass  beyond  tht 
border.) 

1724.  Question.  Had  you  any  intention  of  going  to  America? 

Answer.  At  the  time  I  thought  of  going  to  America,  but  since  I  lost  my  friends  ] 
can  not  do  so. 

1725.  Question.  If  you  can  earn  any  money  in  London  will  you  go  to  America  oi 
will  you  go  back  to  your  own  country? 

Answer.  If  I  earn  any  money  I  will  return  to  Roumania.  I  think  the  laws  will  bf 
more  lenient. 

1726.  Question.  Do  you  know  any  trade? 
Answer.  No. 

*  See  Mansion  House  fund,  p.  81,  Exhibit  10. 

tThe  lord  mayor  of  London  receives  contributions  to  this  fund,  which  during  the 
year  1888-'89  was  close  upon  £151,000  (about  $750,000).     (See  Exhibit  10,  p.  81.) 


II 


ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIE^'    COxNTKACT    LABOR    LAWS.  281 

1727.  Question.  Have  you  tried  to  get  work  since  in  London? 

Answer.  I  tried  to  become  a  finisher,  but  they  asked  me  155.  to  teach  me  and  work 
for  a  month  for  nothing,  and  of  course  I  have  not  got  that. 

1732.  Question.  What  became  of  the  other  Jews  that  were  driven  out  of  the  vil- 
lage you  first  lived  in  ? 

Answer.  They  dispersed  into  towns  where  they  were  allowed  to  live. 

(That  is,  they  were  sent  back  into  their  own  i)rovinces.) 

Examination  of  Soloman  Guthman.     (See  p.  79.) 

1622.  Question.  Did  you  ever  see  any  agent  or  advertisement  in  your  own  country 
recommending  people  to  go  to  England? 

Answer.  No  I  have  not  seen  anything  of  the  kind. 

163.3.  Question.  Do  you  know  whether  any  poor  people  are  attracted  to  England 
by  expectation  of  higher  wages  here? 

Answer.  Yes;  they  are  told  that  in  America  wages  were  higher;  but  England  has 
not  been  in  the  question  at  all.  It  was  never  my  intention  to  come  to  England.  I 
said  so  in  starting. 

1624.  Question.  Do  you  think  any  of  the  poor  Jews  of  your  acquaintance  came  to 
England  with  the  intention  of  living  here? 

Answer.  My  explanation  is  simply  my  intention  never  was  to  come  to  England. 
It  was  to  go  direct  to  America,  l)ut  circumstances  such  as  I  have  related  brought  me 
to  England,  and  I  am  now  expecting  every  day  to  leave  it. 

Mr.  Lionel  Alexander  recalled  and  further  examined.     (See  p.  175,  Exhibit  Al.) 

3591.  Question.  Therefore  they  (meaning  Russian  Hebrews),  would  be  just  the  class 
of  people,  would  they  not,  who  would  be  willing  to  work  for  what  people  call  star- 
vation wages? 

Answer.  They  are  inclined  to  work  at  low  wages,  certainly. 

3592.  Question.  And  that  would  have  the  natural  result  of  bringing  down  the  wages 
of  other  people? 

Answer.  Yes,  in  competition  with  people  similar  to  themselves  only. 

On  pa^e  165  Mr.  Lionel  Lindo  Alexander,  honorary  secretary  to  the 
Board  of  Guardians  for  the  relief  of  the  Jewish  poor,  states  that — 

In  the  year  1884  the  influx  was  again  greater  and  some  difliculty  was  experienced 
in  satisfactorily  dealing  with  the  cases,  owing  to  the  regulations  made  by  the  Ameri- 
can authorities,  which  prohibited  entry  at  their  ports  except  under  certain  conditions 
which  some  of  the  emigrants  could  not  easily  satisfy.  At  the  end  of  the  year  1885 
there  was  again  a  flow  towards  this  country,  caused  by  the  expulsion  of  Russians 
and  Poles  from  Prussia  under  the  decrees  of  the  Prussian  Government,  and  this 
higher  scale  was  continued  throughout  the  year  1886,  thus  making  the  influx  that 
year  of  abnormal  dimensions.  A  further  reason  for  the  then  influx  to  this  country 
may  be  assigned  to  the  existence  of  the  Mansion  House  uiumiployed  fund,  the  dis- 
tribution of  which,  without  doubt,  attracted  people  from  the  continent. 

In  September,  1886,  police  regulations  were  made  in  Hamburg  which  practically 
put  a  stop  to  the  operations  of  my  board  in  the  form  of  returning  to  their  native 
country  such  poor  people  as  had  wandered  hither,  and  had  failed  to  succeed  here; 
and  I  at  the  request  of  my  board  undertook  a  journey  to  Germany  with  a  view  of 
obtaining  the  necessary  facilities  for  continuing  such  shi]nnents.  "^  I  was  successful 
in  my  elforts,  and  my  board  were  thus  enabled  at  once  to  give  relief  to  the  congested 
condition  which  the  considerable  influx  had  caused  whilst  tlie  power  of  helping  emi- 
gration was  temporarily  stopped.  The  arrangements  then  made  have  been  continued 
up  to  the  present  time,  my  board  paying  the  entire  cost  of  the  journeys  of  the  people 
from  London  back  to  their  homes,  even  in  Russia,  instead  of  only  the  fares  to  Ham- 
burg, as  had  been  the  custom  up  to  18S6.  The  p(>ople  are  now  looked  after  en  route 
by  gentlemen  acting  in  Haml)urg  and  Berlin  as  the  agents  of  my  board. 

Exhibit  Al,  on  page  187,  is  a  table  of  the  number  of  aliens  entered 
as  having  arrived  at  Hull  en  route  to  America  via  Liverpool,  as  follows: 

January 788 

February 1,  498 

March 4,886 

April 11,126 

May 15,761 

June  (to  19th) 7,  917 

Total 41,976 

Of  which  number  41,595  were  en  route  to  America. 


282 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


When  I  was  at  Hull  last  summer  I  witnessed  the  debarkation  of  th 
emigrants  from  a  number  of  steamships,  and  over  nine-tenths  of  thei 
were  Russian  Jews.  The  same  proportion  holds  good  for  the  port  ( 
Grimsby,  where  I  also  witnessed  several  debarkations.  These  emigranl 
were  transported  at  once  across  the  country  to  Liverpool,  boolve 
through  to  America.  They  possessed  nothing  as  a  rule  except  a  snia 
bag  of  pots,  kettles,  old  clothing,  and  a  prepaid  ticket,  which  the 
stated  had  been  provided  by  the  Hebrew  societies,  and  the  price  c 
which  they  would  have  to  refund  as  soon  as  they  earned  the  money  i 
America. 

On  page  67  of  the  same  report  the  total  cases  of  foreigners  wbic 
were  assisted  to  emigrate  in  1887  by  the  Hebrew  society,  of  which 
Alexander  is  the  honorary  secretary,  was  600. 

On  page  169,  Mr.  Alexander  continues : 

I  would  further  point  out  that  a  money  standard  as  a  passport  to  entry  would  i 
itself  be  harmful,  as  prohibitive  to  many,  although  poor  yet  physically  lit,  and  ae 
bar  against  many  who,  even  if  penniless,  come  here  to  join  their  friends  and  do  uc 
become  a  burden  on  charity.  Were  such  arrangements  promulgated  as  exist  in  th 
United  States,  I  feel  sure  that  scarcely  any  of  the  people  complained  of  would  b 
kept  out.  It  18  notorious  that  with  all  the  strijujevci/  of  the  Amey-ican  regnlailonsfew  at 
ever  prohihited  to  enter;"^  and  I  venture  to  suggest  to  the  couimittee  that  all  legislatio 
which  might  act  as  a  check  upon  the  inllux  from  certain  continental  countrie 
might  surely  increase  the  chance  of  persecution  therein. 

BIRDS  OF  PASSAGE.t 

Relative  to  birds  of  passage,  as  are  called  tliose  persons  who  emigrat 
to  this  country  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  and  return  to  their  nativ 
country  in  the  fall,  I  wish  to  give  an  account  of  the  number  of  person, 
that  arrive  in  England  from  the  United  States  so  far  as  reported,  show 
ing  nationality  and  country  whence  they  came  in  1889 : 


1 


)ic 


Nationality. 


United 
states. 


British 

North 

America.! 


Australa- 


Cape  of 

Good 

Hope  and 

Natal. 


All  other 
places. 


Total, 
1889. 


Total, 
1888. 


British  and  Irish.. 

Foreigners 

Not  distinguished. 


71, 392 
40,  .301 


8,642 
385 


Total. 


Ill, 693 


9,027 


10, 438 
199 


836 


7,729 
1,401 
1,  206 


103,  070       94, 13 

43, 122       33, 1 

1,  206  I  ) 


10, 637 


5,705 


10,  336 


147,398  1  128,89 

I 


This  shows  that  the  number  of  British  and  Irish  immigrants  wh( 
returned  were  71,392  out  of  a  total  of  240,395  who  emigrated.  0 
these  the  number  of  adult  males  was  41,533,  and  the  number  of  male 
children  was  only  4,367,  or  a  total  of  45,900  males  and  25,492  females 
(See  p.  20,  copy  of  statistical  tables  relating  to  immigration  and  erai 
gration  from  and  into  the  United  Kingdom  in  the  year  1889,  and  re 
port  of  the  Board  of  Trade  thereon  by  Henry  G.  Galcraft,  House  o 
Commons,  public  document  printed  March  24,  1890.) 

The  excess  of  males  over  females  is  over  20,000,  which  number  corre 
spends  very  nearly  to  the  number  of  round-trip  tickets,  which  wer( 
sold  during  that  year  according  to  an  approximation  made  by  Mr 
James  Tibbetts,  steamship  ticket  agent  in  Liverpool.  Without  doubi 
nine-tenths  of  these  are  birds  of  passage.  The  labor  leaders  in  Eng 
land,  notably  Mr.  Tom  Mann,  member  of  the  labor  commission,  statec 
that  a  great  many  of  their  mechanics  left  home  in  the  spring  and  re 
turned  in  the  fall  of  the  year.  "  Unfortunately,  they  don't  stay  lon^ 
enough,"  he  said,  '^  and  thus  they  interfere  to  a  large  extent  with  om 
home  people  by  competition  for  the  last  two  months'  work." 

*The  italics  are  mine. 

t  See  also  page  288  for  birds  of  passage,  extract  from  letter  of  Consul  StarklofF 
Bremen ;  also  Statistics,  Vol.  II. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    283 

The  contiiieiital  conference  of  steamship  companies  held  in  ]S'ew 
)  York  October  8, 1889,  which  was  composed  of  the  Compagnie  Generale 
Trail satlantique,  the  Hamburg- American  Packet  Company,  the  Xord- 
Deutcher  Lloyd,  the  Eed  Star  Line,  the  Royal  Netherlands,  U.  S.  M., 
and  the  Union  Line  (Sloman's  steamers)  adopted  rul{\s  and  regulations 
relatingto  rates  for  outward, prepaid,  and  round-trip  steerage  passages. 
The  commissions  to  subagents  were  fixed  at  8-J  a  ticket  or  84  for  a 
round-trip  ticket,  and  for  children  half  commission.  Among  other 
rules  adopted  was  one  that  '^no  commission  shall  be  paid  to  agents  on 
letters  or  cards  of  introduction."  iSTo  agent  shall  be  deemed  entitled  to 
i  commission  except  on  actual  issuance  of  the  ticket  and  direct  receipt 
by  him  of  the  passage  money.  This  sj'stem  of  agents'  letters  or  cards 
of  introduction  is  in  vogue  in  Germany,  where  the  laws  of  the  land  for- 
bid i)ublic  advertising. 

Sul)agents'  substitutes  exist  in  almost  every  hamlet  in  Germany, 
whose  cards  of  introduction,  or  letters,  when  presented  by  persons  whom 
they  have  persuaded  to  emigrate  entitles  them  to  a  commission  amount- 
ing to  $2  or  less.  Others  evade  the  advertising  law  by  procuring  ad- 
,  verti semen ts,  posters,  boom  town  circuhirs,  railroad  circulars,  and 
.  books  giving  descriptions  of  all  the  States  from  Texas  to  INIinnesota 
and  from  Arkansas  to  the  State  of  Washington;  from  Antwerp,  Am- 
sterdam, and  other  places  outside  of  the  country  to  persons  who  desire 
information  in  Germany.  I  procured  a  numlier  of  these  on  application, 
under  an  assumed  name,  from  an  agent,  Kichard  Berns,  132  Avenue  du 
Commerce,  Antwerji,  Belgium,  agent  of  the  White  Star  Line,  Allen 
Line,  and  Ked  Star  Line.  They  are  printed  in  the  German  language 
and  are  intended  for  circulation  throughout  Germany ;  giving  a  German 
and  English  dictionary  and  a  complete  phrase  book;  in  fact,  a  lexicon 
in  German  and  English  at  the  end,  together  with  tables  of  moneys, 
weights,  and  measures,  and  a  glowing  descrii)tion  of  enticing  features 
said  to  obtain  in  this  country. 

One  of  these  circulars  is  headed :  "  Homesteads  for  all"  along  the  line 
of  the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul  Bailway  and  connecting  roads 
in  the  Northwest  and  far  West,  as  well  as  in  the  southern  parts  of  the 
United  States  of  America.     All  the  States  are  described  herein,  open- 
ing with  Wisconsin  and  ending  with  Texas,  together  with  an  explana- 
tion of  the  modes  of  obtaining  homesteads,  preemption,  and  timber 
lands.    There  is  an  advertisement  of  the  great  Northwest  and  Mani- 
toba, stating  that  200,000,000  acres  of  land  are  to  be  had  gratis  by 
settlers;  every  person  from  18  years  of  age  being  entitled  to  100  acres. 
The  emigrants  who  are  induced  to  settle  in  this  northwestern  country 
,  by  reading  these  highly  colored  and  illustrated  cirulars,  find  their  way 
]  to  the  States  across  the  Canada  border  and  SAvell  the  amount  of  immi- 
I  gration  to  an  extent  of  which  no  correct  estimate  can  be  formed,  be- 
cause we  have  no  statistics  of  those  who  crossed  the  Canada  line  since 
1885.    The  one  million  six  hundred  thousand  unemployed  laborers,  who 
,  are  concentrated  principally  in  our  large  cities,  are  numerically  suflBcient 
i  to-day  to  claim  the  occupancy  and  to  cultivate  every  spare  acre  in  our 
public  domain  if  the  opportunities  were  afforded  them. 

We  know  that  Congress  passed  an  appropriation  last  year  to  aid  our 
own  settlers  in  the  Dakotas  to  procure  seed  wheat,  because  they  were 
destitute;  and  that  is  a  country  which  has  been  settled  for  years.  We 
know  what  a  desiderate  rush  w^s  made  to  get  into  Oklahoma,  and  how 
for  months  they  camped  outside  and  waited  for  the  opening.  Where 
were  these  "Homesteads  for  all"  at  that  time?  Wherever  they  are 
they  have  a  fence  around  theni.  Of  those  which  are  in  the  hands  of 
actual  settlers  the  census  brings  us  an  unfavorable  report.    Eight 


284     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

million  farm  mortf!:ages  can  not  be  explained  in  such  a  manner  as  tt  | 
harmonize  witli  tliese  steamship,  railroad,  and  land-syndicate  circularsJ 

Uuqnestionably  this  exportation  of  siirphis  pauper  and  criminal  pop-, 
Illation  to  Canada  accounts  for  the  large  i^roportion  of  foreigners  in  ouii 
eleemosynary  institutions  along  the  Canadian  border,  which  proportion. ' 
even  as  far  down  as  Kochester,  N.  Y.. amounts  to  68  per  cent,  and  which! j 
according  to  the  reports  read  before'the  last  Congress  of  Charities  and 
Correction,  averages  40  per  cent  in  institutions  throughout  the  United' 
States:  and  it  also  accounts  for  the  decrease  of  persons  in  similar  insti' 
tutions  in  the  United  Kingdom  and  elsewhere,  and  for  the  fact  thai; 
while  the  tickets  of  leave  granted  in  England  during  1880  numbered!  J 
25,000,  those  granted  in  1890  numbered  only  12,000.  •  ^ 

The  annual  cost  per  criminal  is  £35,  and  the  saving  of  the  English 
Government  in  this  connection,  to  say  nothing  of  the  cost  saved  oe 
account  of  further  prosecutions,  is  the  cause  of  the  popularity  of  thi.^ 
exportation  system  and  the  large  number  of  discharged  prisoners'  aid 
societies,  who  "are  quasi  governmental,  and  receive  money  for  work  done 
by  prisoners  while  in  captivity.  The  fact  that  these  "prisoners'  aid 
societies  "  are  recognized  by  judges,  courts,  and  magistrates  may  alsc 
be  accounted  for  on  the  same  grounds. 

In  one  of  the  reports  which  I  read  while  in  England,  that  of  the 
Southwest  Lancashire  and  Wirral  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Society. 
which  had  assisted  many  persons  to  emigrate,  the  report  stated  that 
legislation  should  be  suggested  which  would  force  prisoners  to  remaiD 
here  after  they  had  been  exported. 

The  report  for  the  city  of  Liverpool  for  the  year  ending  Septembei 
9,  1890,  shows  50  persons  emigrated,  all  of  them  being  discharged 
prisoners — that  is,  convicts  on  license — under  the  provisions  of  the  pre- 
vention of  crimes  act,  1871,  section  8,  all  of  whom  were  sent  to  Boston. 

There  are  about  eighty -two  institutions  for  fallen  women  in  Loudon 
and  double  that  number  in  the  provinces.  A  great  many  of  the  in- 
mates of  such  institutions  are  sent  to  the  L^nited  States  on  prepaid 
tickets.  A  report  of  the  Glasgow  House  of  Shelter  for  Fallen  Women, 
1890,  page  11,  shows  seven  cases  sent  abroad,  naming  places,  among 
others  Chicago  and  Pittsburg,  as  their  destination. 

It  is  a  matter  of  public  notoriety  that  in  late  years  criminals  receive 
short  penal  sentences  by  English  judges  and  long  periods  of  surveillance, 
which  latter  is  made  so  uncomfortable  for  them,  they  having  to  report 
at  regular  periods  and  give  an  account  of  themselves  and  give  notice 
of  change  of  residence  and  a  great  many  other  small  matters,  which 
practically  makes  life  a  burden  to  them.  On  the  other  hand,  the  prof- 
fered assistance  of  the  discharged  prisoners'  aid  societies  induces  most 
of  them  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States.  According  to  their  own  re- 
ports, one  half  of  the  criminals  in  Scotland  are  aided  by  prisoners'  aid 
societies  to  go  to  the  United  States. 

Annexed  will  be  found  a  list  of  "  Discharged  Prisoners'  Aid  Socie- 
ties "  in  the  United  Kingdom. 

Appendix  Ko.  5  shows  the  number  of  steerage  passengers  landed  at 
the  barge  office  during  1891;  also  cabin  passengers  landed  at  the  port 
of  New  York.  It  is  signed  by  John  E.  Moore,  landing  agent,  baige 
office,  January  1,  1892. 

This  table  shows  445,290  steerage  passengers  and  105,023  cabin  pas- 
sengers landed  in  964  trips.  It  is  not  an  official  table,  and  in  my  judg- 
ment is  very  wide  of  the  mark,  inasmuch  as  some  steamship  companies 
when  reporting  the  number  of  passengers  they  land  frequently  count 
two  well-gTown  children  as  one  person;  and  it  is  notorious,  as  has  been 
frequently  charged  in  the  metropolitan  papers,  that  in  the  spring  of 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


285 


the  year  some  of  the  steamship  lines  bring  over  a  Larger  number  of 
steerage  passengers  than  they  are  by  law  entitled  to  carry,  but  which 
fact  they  do  not  report,  and  they  frequently  land  large  forces  of  men 
wbom  they  designate  stewards  or  emi")loyes,  and  who  are  not  counted 
as  steerage  passengers,  as  well  as  those  whom  they  took  on  board  to 
<'work  their  way  over."  Tramp  ship  emigrants  frequently  land  at 
minor  seaports  without  being  counted. 

The  foreign  statistics  of  persons  embarking  for  the  United  States  and 
the  reports  of  those  landed  at  our  shores  do  not  harmonize,*  and  until 
those  who  cross  the  Canadian  and  Mexican  borders  are  counted  it  is 
manifest  that  no  accurate  statistics  can  be  given  on  this  imx^ortant 
subject. 

[Extract  from  report  of  House  of  Comnjons  on  emigration  and  immigration.] 

Xumher  of  cases  and  number  of  new  cases  relieved  hjj  the  Jewish  hoard  of  guardians  in 
each  of  the  undermentioned  years. 


Year. 


1870 . 
]877. 
,1878. 
]870. 

■  im) . 

1881. 
1882. 


Ca.ses. 

Ifew  cases  ' 

only.   1 

J.  903 

606 

2.  2:  6 

862  : 

2.171 

873  i| 

2,  fi::9 

1,063  ll 

2,  .''SS 

94.5 

2.  B29 

984  1 

2,  953 

1, 306  : 

i 

Year. 


1883 

1884 

188.5 

1886 

1887 

1S.S8 

1889 


Cases. 


882 
0.54 
408 
139 
313 
.513 


2,980 


Xe'<.v  casea 
only. 


1,103 
1,  368 
1,586 
1,944 
1,  205 
1,318 
923 


It  is  evident  from  these  figures  that  in  1SS5-'8G  there  was  quite  an 
excei)ti()nal  i^ressure  of  poverty  in  the  east  end  of  London,  and  although 
there  lias  been  a  considerable  diminution  since  then,  the  evil  has  not 
altogether  been  reduced  to  its  former  dimensions,  much  less  altogether 
removed. 

With  regard  to  the  Jewish  Shelter,  the  main  figures,  as  stated  in  the 
report,  are  that  the  number  of  inmates  who  passed  through  the  institu- 
tion during  the  past  year  was  783  as  against  1,102  during  the  first  year, 
and  1,322  during  the  second  year  of  its  existence.  The  committee 
maintain  in  tlieir  report  that  the  Shelter  has  not  stimulated,  but  has 
helped  to  clieck  immigration,  by  promoting  emigration  to  America. 

The  next  point  treated  in  these  reports  is  the  return  of  destitue  poor 
Jews  to  the  place  from  which  they  came  or  their  departure  to  other 
places.  Taking  the  Jewish  Shelter  report  first,  we  find  it  stated  that 
out  of  the  above  783  inmates  of  the  institution  in  1889,  258  were  re- 
turned to  their  native  place,  00  went  to  the  United  States,  and  23  to 
various  countries,  whilst  333  remained  in  the  United  Kingdom,  and  79 
are  ^'not  specified."  The  258  returned  to  their  native  place  compare 
with  338  returned  in  the  i:)receding  year,  a  diminution  in  number,  but 
the  proportion  borne  by  the  258  to  the  total  inmates,  numberhig  783, 
being  larger  than  the  proportion  borne  by  the  338  to  the  total  inmates 
of  the  year,  numbering  1,322. 

Taking  next  the  report  of  the  Jewish  board  of  guardians,  we  have 
the  following  comparison  for  the  last  few  years : 


1889. 
1888. 
1887. 
1886. 


Cases  of 
emigrants 
orreiuovals. 


4-11 
701 
568 
919 


TnrJivicluala 
comprised. 


1,254 
1,147 
1,557 


*Tbey  rmi  only  1)0  rirflo  to  Ivn infmizc  on  the  supposition  that  half  of  those  who  embark  die  in 
transit  or  im  not  acciuinLcd  tor  in  our  incomplete  registering  system,  furnislied  mainly  by  steam. 
•hip  mauilc&bs. 

H.  Ex.  37 54 


286    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      \ 

[Emigration  and  immigration,  1889.    House  of  Commons  report,  page  37.] 

Nvmberof  aliens  on  hoard  ships  jihich  arrived  at  London  and  Hull  from  ports  in  Eurc 
during  the  year  1889,  wilh  totals  of  the  nvmber  who  arrived  during  1888,  according 
the  lists  of  aliens  transmitted  to  the  home  office. 


Kumber  of  aliens  recorded  at — 

Ports  whence  arrived. 

London. 

Hull. 

Destination 
not  stated. 

En  route  to  Destination 
America,     not  stated. 

Total 

523 
35 

. 

2,399 

2,; 

10 

620 
1S9 
401 

264 
96 

1 

5,( 
3,i 

28 
5,656 

77 
3,271 

r^Viriatiniia  nnrl  f^hri^tiaTmanil               .    .    .. 

Dajizi*"                            .....        ............................ 

51 

6 

1,116 

5,978 

]6 

47 

27 

6 

1 

752 

Gaera            

19,  382 
5,201 

19,  c 
5,i 

Harobiirff                      ..         .  .......................... 

4 

Malmo  and  Helsiugborg     ............................. 

Mamel 

Odessa 

Eotterdam     ........ ................................ 

5,581 

5,5 

3 
5 

Uddevalla 



Total 

9,846 
10,  953 

41, 595 
62,  901 

364 
215 

41  9 

Total  for  1888 

63,1 

Keturn  to  an  order  of  the  honorable,  the  House  of  Commons,  dated  March  21,  1890. 

The  above  figures  show  that  in  1889  the  total  alien  passengei 
landed  at  the  port  of  Hull,  England,  were  41,960  as  compared  wit 
63,116  in  1888.  The  undue  proportion  of  those  "  en  route  to  America 
can  only  be  explained  by  the  fact  that  they  were  diverted  by  the  En^ 
lish  "  committees  "  and  their  passage  prepaid  to  America  by  societit 
established  for  that  purpose.  Over  four-fifths  of  the  emigrants  wh 
arrived  while  I  was  at  Hull  were  Russian  or  Polish  Jews,  who  wer 
paupers  and  traveled  on  prepaid  tickets. 

See  sworn  testimony  before  committee,  House  of  Commons,  page 
178,  179,  quoted  in  this  report,  questions  3649,  3650. 

Inclosed  table  for  1890,  official  statistics  of  the  city  of  Hamburg 
will  show  that  of  a  total  of  93,013,  who  left  the  port  of  Hamburg  fo 
the  United  States,  only  21,885  were  emigrants  from  German  provinces 
41,270  were  Russians  and  Poles;  19,833  were  from  Austro- Hungary  an< 
Bohemia,  and  only  five  were  Frenchmen,  the  others  being  divided  amon; 
Roumania,  Switzerland,  Denmark,  Norway  and  Sweden,  Great  Britai] 
and  Ireland,  Italy,  Holland,  and  Belgium. 

During  the  same  period  the  official  statistics  of  the  city  of  Bremei 
show  an  emigration  of  107,156  to  the  United  States,  out  of  a  total  c 
140,410  to  all  other  parts  of  the  world,  of  which  only  15,233  males  wer 
Prussians,  and  8,090  came  from  other  portions  of  Germany;  the  othe 
parts  of  Europe  have  about  the  same  proportion,  as  is  shown  by  th( 
statistics  from  the  city  of  Hamburg. 

The  Society  for  the  Prevention  of  Destitute  Aliens,  and  other  simila 
societies  on  the  Continent,  take  special  pains  in  diverting  this  class  o 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    287 

:  emigrants  to  the  United  States,  because  It  is  alleged  everywhere  that 

.1  they  are  a  nonproducing  class,  and  are  therefore  the  least  desirable. 

)|  In  this  connection  I  will  state  that  while  formerly  committees  existed  in 

I  Amsterdam  and  other  seaports  for  the  purpose  of  sending  these  people 

j  to  the  Argentine  Kepublic,  Brazil,  and  other  South  American  ports,  they 

( have  now  been  disbanded,  and  a  few  private  individuals,  who  disavow 

■* connection  with  the  Hirsch  fund,  give  their  whole  time  to  the  matter. 

,;     The  consul  for  the  Argentine  Republic,  at  Amsterdam,  told  me  that 

£  none  are  now  being  sent  to  Argentina,  because  they  readily  find  an 

^  asylum  in  America,  the  steamship  fares  being  much  lower  from  Europe 

to  the  United  States  than  to  other  parts;  therefore  the  poorest  class  of 

emigrants  naturally  fall  to  our  lot.    The  price  of  passage  tickets  to 

Australia  from  Liverpool  is  £18,  w^hile  to  the  United  States  it  is  from 

£3  10s.  on  some  of  the  companies  to  £4  on  the  more  fashionable  lines 

of  steamers — that  is  to  say,  on  the  "ocean  greyhounds." 

In  Great  Britian,  according  to  Leone  Levi,  the  number  of  the  produc- 
ing class  is  10,648,000,  and  their  income  is  £450,000,000;  the  number  of 
the  nonproducing  class  is  4,532,000,  and  their  income  from  land,  interest, 
and  the  labor  of  others  is  £800,000,000.  The  number  of  acres  of  pro- 
ductive land  idle  amounts  to  many  millions,  and,  according  to  Mr.  Griffin, 
who  is  the  statistician  of  the  board  of  trade,  the  number  of  destitute 
persons  in  the  United  Kingdom  is  5.000,000.  Mr.  Frederick  Harrison 
(statistician)  states  that  1  in  5  of  London^s  population  will  die  in  the 
poorhouse,  hospital,  or  asylum,  as  90  per  cent  of  the  producers  of  wealth 
_  have  a  weekly  wage  which  scarcely  suffices  to  keep  them  in  health. 

The  worst  scenes  of  destitution  in  England  are  in  the  East-end  of 

'London,  better  known  as  Whitechapel,  where  the  sweating  system*  has 

"been  inaugurated  by  the  introduction  of  this  class  of  foreigners  into 

England  ;  and  the  most  i)itiable  sight  that  has  ever  been  presented  to 

.  American  eyes,  in  my  estimation,  was  the  procession  of  the  starving 

cloak-makers  who  were  locked  out  a  year  or  so  ago  in  New  York,  and 

whose  banners  proclaimed  that  they  were  starving,  and  begged  for 

'  food.    These  were  the  advance  guard  of  this  class  of  immigrants. 

I  will  add  that  on  January  8,  1802, 1  attended  an  overflowing  meeting 
of  these  same  cloak-makers,  held  at  Everett  Hall,  35  East  Fourth  street, 
New  York,  wliere  Mr.  Joseph  Barondess  spoke  and  recommended  the 
voting  of  the  socalist  ticket.  He  received  an  ovation  such  as  I  have 
jUever  witnessed  before,  men,  women,  and  children  embracing  and  kiss- 
■  iiig  him,  and  then  embracing  and  kissing  each  other,  in  their  enthusi- 
asm. His  control  over  that  multitude  was  absolute.  They  would  sac- 
rifice their  lives  or  liberties  at  his  bidding  and  execute  any  order  he 
might  issue.  Tliey  believe  the  most  extreme  doctrines  taught  and 
are  a  menace  to  the  Republic.  The  chasm  between  capital  and  labor 
is  wide  enough  now.  We  should  guard  against  an  invasion  of  such  hordes 
as  we  would  against  an  armed  host  or  a  pestilence.  The  alarming 
proportion  of  the  unemployed  proletariat,  the  increase  of  insanity, 
pauperism,  and  crime  is  traceable  to  no  other  such  prolific  source  as 
immigration.  A  better  sifting  process  is  absolutely  necessary  to  sub- 
jServe  the  general  welliire. 

,  In  this  connection  I  may  also  state  that  in  Allegheny  County,  Pa., 
during  the  past  year  fifty-eight  homicides  occurred,  all  of  which  were 
committed  by  aliens  or  naturalized  foreigners.  (See  particulars  in 
Pittsburg  Times  of  December  31,  1891.) 

•See  report  of  Parliament  Sweating  Committee,  English  Pub.  Doc.,  1888. 


288    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

GERMANY. 


1 


In  Germany,  while  the  Government  does  not  openly  assist  emi^n 
tion,  there  are  no  obstacles  ])lace(l  in  the  way  of  i)anpers  Avho  seek 
home  abroad.  The  most  valid  excuse  for  evading  military  duty  is  pow 
erty,  and  in  few,  if  any,  cases  are  pi^issports  refused  to  paupers  becauaB' 
of  unperformed  milicary  duty.  Of  coarse,  if  there  is  any  other  diss 
biUty,  such  as  disease  or  bodily  defects,  passports  are  just  as  readil 
obtained,  although  no  military  service  has  been  performed.  Tlie  bett( 
class  of  young  men  delight  in  military  service  for  patriotic  motives,  an 
as  it  is  a  period  of  recreation  and  education,  mental  as  well  as  physica 
for  them,  and  a  change  of  scene  on  account  of  travel  during  the  annui^ 
military  maneuvers,  it  is  looked  forward  to  with  pleasant  anticipatij' 
until  the  time  they  are  old  enough  to  enlist. 

I  may  add  in  this  connection  that  the  popular  idea  that  large  nui 
bers  of  young  men  leave  Germany  to  evade  military  duty  is  erroneoi 
as  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  few  arrive  without  passports.    Tl 
condition  is  also  true  of  Italy,  only  in  a  more  pronounced  degree; 
in  that  country  it  is  a  positive  luxury  for  the  average  young  men 
leave  their  destitute  homes  and  be  well  provided  for  in  the  army  durin" 
a  x>eriod  of  three  years.    They  also  receive  an  education,  for  none  ai 
now  discharged  from  the  army  before  they  can  read  and  write.     And? 
in  the  southern  part  of  Italy  1)3  per  cent  of  the  people  are  illiterate,  an 
wages  average  less  than  20  cents  per  diem,  according  to  Signor  Lui^i 
Bodio,  the  eminent  Italian  statistician,  the  reason  for  this  love  of  mil 
tary  duty  aside  from  patriotic  motives  is  quite  plain. 

One  of  our  consuls  in  Germany,  Dr.  Starklofl',  Bremen,  states  that- 

Whetlier  or  not  steamstiip  companies  make  use  of  unlawful  means  is  a  very  difficu 
matter  to  ascertain;  and  that  such  liave  been  used  to  some  extent  he  learns  once  i 
a  while  from  newspaper  reports. 

He  says : 

Their  agents  and  subagents  try  as  a  matter  for  their  own  interest  to  obtain  i 
many  emigrants  upon  their  list  as  possible. 

I  quote  from  the  same  letter,  copy  of  which,  in  full,  is  filed  herewith 

I  have  already  reason  to  suspect  that  a  great  many  people,  especially  Bohemian 
Polanders,  and  Hungarians,  are  engaged  under  contract  by  mining  companies,  most], 
of  Pennsylvania.  Since  I  have  taken  charge  of  this  consulate,  I  have  noticed  the 
these  people  are  shipped  for  the  United  States  in  the  spring  and  return  in  the  ai 
tunm.  I  have  recognized  the  same  faces,  especially  tliose  of  the  men  under  whof 
supervision  they  seem  to  travel.  These  people  do  not  handle  any  money,  nor  do  the 
answer  any  questions  to  strangers,  no  matter  in  what  language  they  are  addressee 
They  seem  to  follow  their  leader  blindly.  There  is  but  one  woman  to  each  crew  < 
12  or  18  men,  Avho,  as  I  am  informed,  works  and  cooks  for  such  at  their  place  of  dei 
tination  in  the  United  States. 

He  also  states  that — 

Criminals  and  paupers  have  been  shipped  to  the  United  States  to  ray  knowledge  h 
the  benevolent  societies,  whose  leader  in  one  case  has  been  a  Government  oflScer. 

He  recommends  consular  inspection  or  certification  under  the  authoi 
ity  of  the  Government,  and  thinks  that  if  emigrants  were  compelled  t 
get  from  their  government  authorities  a  certificate  of  good  conduct,  an 
to  instruct  steamship  companies  and  their  agents  and  subagents  nott 
sell  tickets  to  any  emigrant  unless  he  has  such  a  certificate,  believin 
tliat  the  said  government  authorities  who  would  be  willing  to  give  t 
undesirable  citizens  a  passx)ort  in  order  to  get  rid  of  them  would  hes 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     289 

tate  very  mucli  to  give  to  the  saine  person  a  certificate  where  that  per- 
son has  been  in  conflict  with  the  laws^  of  the  country. 
He  says  that — 

As  far  as  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives,  are  concerned,  I  think  the 
present  system  of  oxaminatiou  by  the  steamship  snr<reou  is  in  idequate  for  the  I'ollow- 
iu""  reasons:  With  duo  rei^ard  to  tlie  theoretical  knowledge  of  steamship  surgeons, 
it  is  well  known  that  most  of  them  are  youu.i^  and  inexperienced  men  who  consider 
their  position  only  a  temporary  one,  as  their  s;ihiry  is  limited,  and  tliere  is  no  ex- 
pectation of  glory  or  promotion  connected  with  it;  and  for  an  ambitious  physician 
lit  is  only  a  stepping  stone  to  higher  aims.  For  this  reason  they  will  hardly  remain 
on  board  of  the  steamship  long  enough  to  become  thoroughly  familiar  with  tlie  duties 
and  responsibilities  imposed  upon  them. 

The  steamship  surgeons  at  this  port  examine  the  emigrants  an  hour  before  they 
leave  the  city  to  go  on  board  the  steamers.  The  value  of  the  examination  of  from 
500  to  1,500  passengers  in  so  short  a  time  is  clear  to  every  experienced  physician  or 
layman.  During  one  winter  season  I  have  seen  this  examination  take  place  in  a  large 
hall   illuminated  by  only  twelve  himi)S,  and  in  a  temperature  of  only  20^'  below  zero. 

My  proposition  is  [continues  the  consul]  that  the  United  Stat6>s  should  appoint 
one  or  two  surgeons  at  every  port  of  embarkation,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  examine 
nnder  the  supervision  of  the  United  States  consul  all  emigrants,  and  reject  all  idiots, 
linaane  and  other  defectives  with  loathsome  or  contagious  diseases;  and  if  there  is 
the  least  suspicion  from  the  appearance  of  anyone  being  afflicted  with  consumption 
or  heart  disease,  to  make  a  close  individual  examination  and  reject  htm  if  afflicted. 
The  expense  of  such  examination  is  nothing  compared  with  the  benefit  derived  there- 
from. 

He  further  states  that — 

Criminals  and  paupers  from  other  conntries  are  promptly  sent  back  to  the  country 
whence  they  came  from  by  the  German  authorities,  and  that  it  is  clear  that  the  Gernuin 
Government  is  anxious  U)  retain  their  good  and  valuable  citizens,  and  like  to  see  their 
invalid  ones  depart  to  other  countries. 

I  Another  American  consul  located  in  Germany,  whose  communication 
is  marked  "confidential"  (see  letter,  vol.  ii),  who  favors  consular  certifi- 
cations, says: 

It  would  be  practicable  and  of  good  service  to  the  United  States  to  require  all  emi- 
grants to  obtain  certilieates  from  the  United  States  consuls.  It  would  cost  the  United 
States  (iovernment  nothing,  for  the  cost  of  obtaining  said  certiiicate  would  be  very 
properly  paid  by  the  emigrants. 

Should  the  United  States  consul  be  empowered  to  issue  these  certificates  many  per- 
sons wholly  untit  to  receive  domicile  in  the  United  States  would  be  kept  at  home. 

And  further  states  that — 

Yonr  committee  need  not  overconcern  itself  about  citizens  in  this  conntry  coming  to 
America  owing  to  military  service,  for  the  German  Government  will  attend  to  that 
matter. 

He  says  he  knows  of  no  German  law  or  regulation  which  hinders 
emigrants,  and  that  criminals  and  paui)ers  are  atonce  sent  to  the  country 
to  wliich  they  owe  allegiance. 

HOLLAND. 

At  Amsterdam,  in  Holland,  T  found  that  the  Government  has  estab- 
hshcd  an  oflice,  ostensibly  for  tlie  protection  of  emigrants,  but  in  real- 
ity its  main  business  consists  in  exi)editing  Jewish  refugees  and  other 
panpers  who  arrive  at  its  ports  to  America. 

'  I  also  found  at  the  office  of  one  Geldersche,  Kade  24,  an  agency  for 
the  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  St.  Paul^  Jiailroad  Company,  in  which 
circulars  were  issued  giving  glowing  descri[)tions  of  free  lands  in  Illi- 
nois, Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Missouri,  8onth  Dakota,  and  North 
Dakota,  and  stating  that  they  had  from  18,000,000  to  30,000,000  of 
acres  for  sale. 

I  transmit  a  newspaper  called  "California,"  published  by  a  Dutch 
land  syndicate,  booming  their  lands  in  Califoruta  by  enticing  descrip- 
tions and  i)reposterous  statements. 
H.  Ex.  235 19 


290    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

ITALY. 


uu 


The  land  in  Italy  has  been  centered  in  the  hands  of  a  few  title* 
families,  who  sublet  the  same  to  small  farmers  on  shares,  or  pay  thei 
farm  laborers  from  14  to  20  cents  per  day,  keeping  them  in  such  a  con 
dition  that  were  their  labor  to  cease  for  a  period  of  less  than  on 
week  starvation  would  result.  It  has  been  said  that  one  family — thi 
Borghese — owns  nearly  one-fifth  of  the  land  of  the  province. 

The  large  standing  army  and  navy  and  great  expenditures  u 
public  works,  the  present  national  system  of  education,  and  the 
meuse  administration  to  be  maintained  has  proved  such  a  burden  tha 
the  condition  of  the  masses  has  become  almost  intolerable,  and  law 
with  penalties  attached  have  lately  been  enacted  obliging  owners  of  th 
soil  to  have  the  same  cultivated  within  a  radius  of  10  miles  about  th 
Roman  capital.  This  experiment  is  being  tried  because  the  food  pre 
duction  of  the  country  is  insufficient  for  its  own  consumption,  and  idl 
land  or  absentee  landlordism,  like  in  Ireland  (see  report  Commissione 
Powderly),  has  been  the  principal  cause  of  distress  and  of  the  deprec 
ation  of  wages,  and  this  condition  has  enabled  the  steamship  companies 
their  agents,  and  subagents  to  reap  a  rich  harvest  among  the  discoi 
tented  who  wish  to  emigrate,  even  though  only  for  a  time,  in  order  t 
get  some  money  and  then  return  to  their  native  land. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  about  160  agents  and  subagents,  with  thei 
nddresses,  who  in  turn  have  assistants,  who  are  not  compelled  to  giv 
bonds  and  who  work  on  commission  and  induce  their  fellow  country 
men  to  emigrate.  A  rough  estimate  would  bring  these  agents  and  sut 
agents'  substitutes  nearly  to  the  figure  of  4,000,  scattered  thioughou 
the  various  provinces  of  Italy : 

General  Emigration  Agents, 


CITY   OF   NAPLES. 

District  of  Naples. 


14 


Name. 


Address. 


De  Luca  Brothers,  general  agents  . 
Savarese  Brothers,*  subagents   ... 

Ferretti  &  Cardano,  agents 

Gl.  Cy.  Emigration,  general  agent  . 
Boriello,  Beniamino,  general  agent 

Cindolo,  Giovanni,*  subagent 

Ferolla  Nicola,  agent 

Del  Piano  &  Cavaliere,  agent 

Fornari  Criscuolo  &  Co.,  agent 

De  Vito  Stanislas,  agent 

Manfredi  Francesco,  general  agent 

Ramaglia  &  Catuozoro,  agents 

Scotto  Michele,  agent 

De  Luca  &  Casella,  agents 

Gilberti  &  Tofani,  agents 


Via  Piliero  No.  17. 
Via  Lanzieri. 
Via  Molo  Piccolo  No.  34. 
Corso  Garibaldi  No.  50. 
Via  Florio  Gioia  No.  2. 

Do. 
Via  Marima  Nuova  30. 
Corso  Garibaldi  43. 
Via  Marima  Nuova  160. 
Vico  H.  Piliero  No.  5. 
Via  Flavio  Gioia  No.  88. 
Via  Porto  MofontaDell. 
Via  Piliero  No.  10. 
Via  Piliero  No.  35. 
Liazza  Stazione. 


II 


*  Innkeepers. 

All  these  agents  have  given  bojids  from  60,000  to  100,000  Ure  to  the  Govenunen 
(From  $12,000  to  $20,000.) 


ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN    CON  TK ACT 

Sub-Emigration  Agents, 
napt  .f.s-camp  ania. 
District  of  Caserta. 

LABOR   LAWS.          291 

Name. 

Town. 

Arcucei,  Giovanni 

Petrulo. 

Cajnmuso  Giuseppe  ...... ...... ...... .. ...... .... 

Pontelatone. 

Colella,  Carlo 

Cassano. 

Corvino,  Carlo 

Mondragone, 
Formia. 

D©  Meo  Alessandro  .           ......           .... ........ 

Disa,  Domenico  

Carinola. 

Gonnelli,  Pasquale 

Letino. 

Caprio  Salvatore  ...       ....... 

Oeano. 

Grauso,  Viucenzo 

Briana. 

Perotta,  Aniello 

Cajazzo. 
Pietra  Melara. 

Toscano,  Pasquale 

Vinzo,  Vincenzo 

Piedimonte  d'Alife. 

Villani,  Filippo 

Ailano. 

These  agents  are  under  control  of  their  general  agents  in  Naples.     They  require  no 
bonds. 

Diatnct  of  Salerno. 

Avella,  Antonio 

Perdifumo. 

Anlisio,  All felo  of  Nicola .....         ...               . 

Cicerale 

Aliberti,  Antonio  Felice 

Catiero,  Giovanni 

Nocera  Inferior©, 

D'Agortino,  Lingi 

Kutiuo. 

Fasano,  Roberto 

Colliano. 

Falciano,  Giuse])pe  Andrea 

Sarno. 

Galzerauo,  Ferdinando 

Caiupora. 

Jennaco,  Alfonso 

Orlando,  Pasquale 

Salerno. 

Pacelli,  Pascawio 

Bucciuo. 

Pace,  Guiseppe 

Priguaro  Cilento. 
Montesano,  Marcelana. 

Palombo,  Antonio 

Rubini,  Alfonso 

Capaccio. 
Celle  Bulgheria. 
Laviano. 

Speranza,  Biagio 

Torsiello,  Vincenzo 

Venosa,  Nicola 

Lolla. 

Volpe,  Mich«de  of  Guiseppe 

Sala  Consilina. 

Vuccolo,  Guiseppe 

District  of  Benevento. 

DeGregrio,  Leopold© 

Buonalbergo. 
Campolattaro. 

Mucciacciaro,  Francesco 

Palombi,  Cristofaro  of  Carlo 

Rinaldi,  Nicola 

Tommasso,  Francesco 

Puo-lianello 

District  of  Foggia. 

Castelli,  Beniomino 

Sj4T1  HPTPfn 

D'Achino,  Ginlio 

Rigliese,  Girolams 

Rago,  Ruggiero 

S.  Augelo  (Monte). 

292          ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWB. 

CALABRIE. 

District  of  Caianzaro» 

Name. 

Town. 

Aflilnrrli    Snvprio  i TmmiciDal  scliool  teaclier^         ..... 

Nirotera.                            ifl 

r^nliK'TTin    T^miiPni  pn                          ^           . ... 

Tiriolo.                               jM 

Montelcone.                         fl 

Tropea.  fl 
Soriano  Calabro,              fl 

Sambiase.                          ^M 

Lo  Jacone,  Fraucesco 

Af  !•!  inn  ft   Viiirpii  70                                 . . .. 

lacui'so.                               '^M 

Sto   Guiescppe                 ..  .     .    ........ 

Cotronei.                            ^| 

Briatno.                               9 

Filadelfia.                             1 

Sanseverine,  Giov.  Battista 

Marcellinara.                       1 

District  of  Beggio  Calabria.                                               J 

Lanucara,  Domeuico 

B.'ignara  Calabra. 

Bopresti  Goivaniii          . ... .. .... .. 

Villa  S.  Giorauni.               ' 

Mon  Tarro,  An  touio 

Serrata.                                "^ 

Pacicca,  Antonino . . . .... .... . .. . .. 

Roccella  lonica. 

Scali,  Guiseppe 

Ardore.                                  : 

1 

District  of  Cosenza.                                                         ^ 

Aversa,  Fraucesio 

Rende.                                "1 

Calomini,  Sal va  tore 

San  Fifi.                                J 

Cavaliere,  Emilio 

Mormanuo.                          -5 

Cagliauone,  Giovanni 

Bounvicinx).                        * 

Cetraro,  Liiigi 

Sangiveto. 

Curti,  Giusejipe 

Spezzano  Albancse, 
Morano  Calabro. 

De  Leone,  Francesco 

De  Panla,  Annihale 

Robs  an  0,                                fl 

Di  Genuare,  Ginsseppe 

Cropalati.  1 
Sura^'eua. 

Lo  lelo,  Salvatore 

Laconia,  Giuseppe 

R^lvftd«rft  Marittanin, 

Lanrito,  Posqiuile 

LuRcro. 

Martini,  Lnigi 

Cetraro.                                  ; 

Mainieri,  Eouo 

Morano  Calalrro.                 ; 

Nardi,  Carto  Alberto 

Mentalto  Uffugo.  1 
S.  Donato  Niue;^                 J 

Panebianco,  Giuseppe 

Puliciccliio,  Salvatore 

Pelligrini,  Carmine 

C  astro  villarL                       1 

Persico,  Giovanni 

Diamante.                            ^ 

Ripi,  Lnigi 

Oriolo.                                  9 

Komeo,  Beruiamino 

San  Lucido.                         s| 

Sicilian],  Orouzio 

Corigliano  CaIabTt>.             * 

Staffa,  Menotti 

Zanfini,  Rosario 

S.  Giorgio  Albaneee. 

ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

PUGLIE. 

District  of  Avellino* 


293 


Name. 


De  Sanctis,  Francesco  Saverio  (insurance  agent,  also) . 

Jannnzzi,  Angelo  (doctor) 

Jorizzo,  Fed  ele 

Limougelli,  Levuardo 

Meoli,  Gabricle 

Miguone,  Alfonso 

Panza,  Convillo  Giacomo  (druggist)   

Riualdi,  Micliele 

Sibilia,  Maria  Fietro  Daniele  (druggist) 

Taddei,  Gioranii 

Valentine,  Filii)po 


Town. 


Avellion. 

Calabritto. 

Villanora  del  Battista. 

S.  Audreadi  Conza. 

Chinsano  S.  Domenico. 

Sant'Angelosei  Lombard. 

Flnmeri. 

Calitri. 

Teora. 

Aviauo  X  Puglia. 

Orsara  x  Puglia. 


District  of  Bari. 


Sabatelli,  Berardino Bari. 

Santostasi,  Girolaiuo Monopoli. 


ABBRUZZI. 

District  of  Aquila. 


Santilli,  p]ttoro  (bookseller) 
Ciofani,  Nereo 


Aquila. 
Pratola  Peliqua. 


District  of  Camjyohasso. 


Brinde8),01iuipio 

Colonna,  Erniinio  Nicola 

Colucci,  Giovani 

Di  Santo,  Dominco 

De  Martinis,  Rouo , 

De  Lellis,  Ferdinando  .. 

Ferrante,  Luigi 

Tedeschi,  Alfonso 

Graziana,  Gioranni 

Marcantoniio,  T^uciano... 

Palladino,  (jlerniaro , 

Zilenibo,  Giuseppe , 

De  Vito,  Antonio , 

Perpetua,  Antonio 


Trivento. 

Termoli. 

Maccbi  Valfortore. 

Fescolamciano. 

Monaielioni. 

Vastogirardi. 

Ripaliniosauo. 

Sepino. 

8.  Giovanni  in  Galdo. 

Kipalda. 

i'iccia. 

lelsi. 

Providenti. 

Iseriua. 


District  of  Chieti. 


Cipollone,  Conadino 

Rinaldi,  Giulio 

Seaccia,  Gi useppe 

Magno,  Eugenio 

Mauzitte,  Umberto  . 


Casacanditella. 
Lainadii  Peligin. 
Lanciano. 
Arsog-ua. 
Vasto. 


204    ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOE  LAWB. 

PUGLiE — continned. 
District  of  Teramo. 


Name. 

Town. 

Giulianora. 

BASILICATA. 

District  of  Potenza, 

D'Ambrosio,  Ferdinando 

Dente,  Mauro 

D'Orlando,  Guiseppe 

Gabbamonte,  Fraucesio  . 

Pietrafesa,  Nicolino 

Pricolo,  Rouo 

Rinaldi,  Giovanni 

Tortorella,  Francesco 

De  Marco,  Antonio 

Cioffari,  Guiseppe 


Castelluccio  Inferiore. 

Tricarico. 

Maratea. 

Ruro  del  Monte. 

Pignola. 

S.  Giorgio  Lucano. 

S.  Chirico  Reparo. 

Lagonegro. 

Rotonda. 

S.  Fele. 


SICILY. 

District  of  Palermo. 


Pellegrino,  Antonio  (chevalier) 

Allesandra,  Givaceliuo 

Ajello,  Matter 

Bellanca,  Pietro 

Criscione,  Pietro  (doctor) 

Conti,  Ferdinando 

Cassata,  Salvatore 

Fiorentino,  Luigi 

Fatta,  Barnard  ino 

Guzzio,  Salvatore 

Calogero,  Fipolite 

La  Carera,  Santo 

La  Barbara,  Antonio 

Lisuzzo,  Salvatore 

Mos  vato,  Snofrio 


Palermo. 

Alia. 

S.  Giuseppe  lato. 

Seriara  Criddi. 

Mezzo  juso. 

Villafi-ati. 

Coialiu. 

Sclafani  (CMuaa), 

Alia. 

Valle  d'  Olmo. 

Do. 
Tiabia. 
Baucina. 
Scillato. 
Corleone. 


District  of  Gercenti. 


Caruso,  Tguazio 

Chiarello,  Vincerezo 

De  Luca,  Nicolo 

De  Sanctis,  Vincenzo 

Ferreri,  Vittorio  de  Salvatore 

Mangiaracina,  Francesco 

Merlo,  Alberto 

Sortino,  Andrea 


Sambneia  Zabut. 

Sciacca. 

Girgenti. 

Castelterinini. 

Mussomeli. 

S.  Margberita  x  BeUoe. 

Burgio. 

Villafranca. 


District  of  Messina. 

Gamier,  Amedio  of  Leopoldo 

Messina. 

Garmier,  Leopold  (via  Marina  No.  42) 

Do. 

ENFOECEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


295 


SICILY — continued. 
District  of  Caltamisseta. 


Name. 

Town. 

Amico   GiuseDne  ........... ...... ...... . .. , .... 

Villalta. 

Ferreri,  Vittorio 

Mussomeli. 

Caltamissetta. 

District  of  Catania. 


Colajaimi,  Poinpeo 

D'Alessandro,  Nicolo  of  Francesio 

Seuto,  (Juctaiio 

Sento  Altio,  Alfredo 


Catania. 
Nicosia. 
Catania. 
Do. 


District  of  Trapani. 


Cottone,  Gasparo  of  Vito 
Scardino,  Gnsping 


Aleamo. 
Poggiorcalo. 


List  of  steamship  companies  carrying  emigrants  to  United  States  from  Italy. 


Company. 


Freight  agents  in 
J«aples. 


Pbice  of 
departure. 


Address  of  agents. 


Anchor  Line.  OlafljETOw 

Fabre  Line,  Mivibt-illf-s 

National  Line,  iiordeaur 

Florio-Uiibattino,  (j('n(»a 

French  Trans- Atlantiqne,  Havre 

Red  Star  Line.  Antwerp 

North  German  Lloyd,  Antwerp. 


Holmes  Brothers  . . . 
Do  Luca  Brothers  .. 
L.  lialsamo  &.  CJo  ... 

G.  Orlando 

Gondrad  Brothers  .. 

L.MalKa 

Leopold  Brothers... 


Naples 

...do  

...do 

...do 

Havre 

Antwerp  . 
Genoa  


1  Via  riavio  Gioia. 
17  Via  Piliero. 
1  Via  Piliero. 
28  Via  Piliero. 
Via  L.do. 
34  Via  JPiliero. 
Vico  r  Piliero. 


N.  B.— The  Red  Star  Line  has  almost  given  np  the  trade  of  Naples.  The  North  German  Lloyd  has 
Just  commenced  thi.s  tra<le  from  Genoa  and  their  immigration  agent  in  Naples  is  not  known  yet. 

Fabre  Line,  Cyprian  Fabre  &  Co.,  Marseilles. 

General  agents — De  Luca  Brothers,  Naples,  17  Via  Piliero;  G.  Giglio  <fe  Sona,  Ge- 
noa; A.  Trirtlotti  &,  Sods,  Palermo;  P.  Capaiine,  Leghorn. 

Emigration  agents — De  Luca  Brothers,  Naples,  17  Via  I'iliero;  Savarese  Brothers, 
Naples,  Via  Lanzieri  Sortadi  Maasa;  J.  Ter  Kuile,  New  York,  31  Broadway;  L.  Du- 
rante, subagent,  Chicago,  348  La  Salle  street. 

Fhiet  of  the  company  for  the  New  York  line:  AUiia,  Burgundiaj  Gergovia,  Pictavia, 
Massilia,  Neustria,  Britannia. 

Depart  from  Naples  every  fifteen  days. 


Emigration  Agents  and  Subagents,  Italian  Steamship  Company  Florio-Eub- 

BATINO. 
GENERAL  AGENTS. 

Gnisoppe  Orlando  (commander  of  the  Crown  of  Italy),  Naples;  licensed  to  act  in 
the  di.stricts  of  Terra  di  Lavora,  Cosenza,  Reggio  Calabria,  Benevento,  Avellino, 
Campobasso,  Terramo,  Bari. 

Napolcone  Lanza,  Naples ;  licensed  to  act  in  the  districts  of  Salerno,  Reggio  Cala- 
bria, Catanzaro,  Caeerta,  Foggia  Benevento,  Avellino,  Teramo,  Cosenza,  Bari, 
Potenza. 


206 


ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR   LAWS. 

STJBAGENTS. 

CALABRIA. 

District  of  Cosenza, 


Name. 

• 
Town. 

rriiispnTift  Mnria  Posca              . -- 

Cercliiara. 

Castrovillati. 

Montalto  Uffugo. 

Paolo. 

Tell  so. 

Maiori. 

Fiume  Freddo  Brusio. 

Viiiren70  Do  Ciaiicio       ..... . . . . .... 

P' !» rl  n  T  .  i  p  !i  ri   Ar   TIo                                          . . ... 

NAPLES   COMPANIA. 

District  of  Avellino. 

TiOTPTizo  Vpiiftzia  of  Eaffaelo     .   ...................... 

S.  Angelo  al  V  Esca  Patem( 

poli,  Mirabello. 
Andretta,       S.    Angelodet 

Lombardi. 

Enrico  Autoniello  of  Francesco  .-... ....... ...... .... 

District  of  Salerno. 

Ano'elo  Maria  Marandiuo  ............................. 

Salerno. 
Castropignano. 

Domenico  Battista,  late  of  Creseenso 

BASILICATA. 

District  of  Potenza. 

Antonio  Rossi Rivello. 

These  subagents  in  turn  have  numerous  "  ninners "  or  subagent 
substitutes,  T\'ho  receive  part  of  the  commission  paid  to  the  subagent 
for  each  emigrant  whom  they  induce  to  embark.     Their  fee  is  usuall; 
2   lire  (about  40   cents)  per  capita.    A  rough  estimate  would  p]a« 
their  number  at  about  4,000  in  Italy,  which  is  nearly  double  the  num 
ber  aiding  the  Cunard  and  Inman  lines  in  Great  Britain  and  the  con 
tinent.     I  have  not  been  able  to  make  an  estimate  of  those  assistiu* 
the  North  German  TJoyd  Company,*  because  they  do  not  solicit  openly 
as  it  is  in  violation  of  the  law  of  the  land.     The  emigration  literatun 
which  I  found  in  Germany  was  invariably  printed  in  some  other  coun 
try.    (See  German  pamx)hlets  herewith  printed  in  Belgium  and  Holland. 

*  The  North  German  Lloyd  has  made  more  trips  during  the  past  year  than  an> 
other  line,  andticket  agents  in  Europe,  whom  1  questioned  about  this  line,  were  unde: 
the  impression  that  they  employed  as  many  subageuts  as  any  of  the  other  tran» 
atlautic  companies. 

ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


,97 


Table  I. — Emigration  from  1S69  to  1S75. 

(These  tables  are  compiled  from  information  received  at  the  mayor's  offices,  and  from  the  registered 
number  of  pas.sports  delivered.] 


Tear. 


1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 


Italian  emisrration. 


PeiTua-     Clandes- 
nent.  tine. 


22, 201 
16,  427 
15.  027 

35.  3.-^0 

36,  200 


14,  040 
11,444 
11,068 
5,585 
11,  S21 


Total. 


36, 241 

27.  871 
26  095 
40.915 
48.181 


Year. 


1874 

1875 

Total 


Italian  emiirration. 


Pernia-     Clandes- 
neut.  tLiie. 


16,  375 
13,  260  I 


17,  362 
27.253 


Total. 


33, 737 
40, 513 


154,  880  I      98, 673  |      253,  553 


Table  11.— Emigration  from  1876  to  ISOO. 


Year. 


1876 
1877 
1878 
1879 
1880 
•  1881 
1882 
1883 


Male     I  Female. 


r>,2fi8  I 
13,409 
12.398  j 
2H,  632  I 
26,285  I 
30.201  I 
49,783  i 
53,782  I 


6,488 
7,  678 
6, 137 
12, 192 
ll,r>49 
n,-<06 
15,  9.59 
14,634 


Total. 


19.7.56 
21,087 
18,  535 
40,  824 
37,  934 
4i,  607 
65,  lio 
68,416 


Tear. 


Male.       Female. 


1884. 
I  1S85. 
'   1j86. 

1S87. 

1888. 

1889. 

1890. 


44.368  I 
56, 161  j 
61,512  : 
91,935 
127.  902 
81,  267 
75, 786 


13, 681 
20,  808 
23,  843 
35,  813 
68,091 
31,  826 
28,947 


Total. 


58,  049 
77,  029 
85.  355 
127,  748 
195,  993 
113, 093 
104,  733 


Grand  total,  1,074,907.     Tlic  great  disparity  between  the  number  of  males  and  femaloa  denotes  either 
'birds  of  passage"  or  "contract  laborers." 


Emigration  from  1887  to  1800, 

ITALIAN  PORTS. 

[From  seaport  officer's  report.] 

' 

1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

1890. 

Jfafllfjq                                                          , . ..... .............. 

35, 377 
6S5 

97. 875 
205 

42, 779 

3,155 

172, 676 

19.942 

4,938 

108,  935 

266 

40, 258 

3,093 

Gnioa 

67, 810 

OthiTs                                   

Total 

134,  202 

218, 610 

134,  081 

111,161 

Gnmd  total.  598.054. 


FOREIGN  PORTS. 


1887. 

1888. 

1889. 

1890. 

Maraeillcs                           .          

27, 145 

11,015 

1,211 

69 

624 

104 

30 

33, 990 

10,444 

1,  334 

76 

600 

66 

29 

16,  442 
9,414 
1,233 

12  939 

HaA  re      

12,  854 
1,128 

liordBaiix 

611 
112 
44 

794 

78 

28 

Total 

40, 198 

46,  539 

27,856 

27,  819 

Grand  toUl,  142,412. 


298    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAW3. 

Emigration  from  1887  to  1890 — Continued. 
KECAriTULATION. 


Year. 

From  all 
ports. 

P'rom  Ital«J 
ian  Gov. 
eannicnt 

statistics. 

Igg7                                                                                      .........   « 

174, 400 
265, 149 
161, 937 
138,  980 

127, 74 
195  99 

18.^8 

1889         . 

113,09 
104,  7a 

1890 - 

Total 

740, 466 

541,56 

Difference,  198,899,  of  which  142,412  sailed  from  foreijrn  ports  where  passports  are  net  required, leav I 
ing  56,487  haA'iug  no  passports,  working  wherever  thej  can  and  moring  about  Europe. 

There  are  about  22,000,000  people  in  Italy  who  do  not  own  their  homes, 
most  of  whom  will  in  time  be  induced  to  emigrate  by  this  horde  of  sub- 
agents.  The  prospect  for  the  rich  harvest  in  the  Italian  emigration  oJ 
the  future  has  induced  the  North  German  Lloyd  Steamship  Company 
to  open  a  new  line  within  the  last  thirty  days,  to  sail  from  the  port  ol 
Genoa,  in  Italy,  to  the  United  States,  in  ships  especially  fitted  up  for  th€ 
traffic.  I  met  persons  who  represented  themselves  as  their  agents,  ir 
Sicily,  whose  business  it  was  to  establish  subageucies,  and  traveled  witli 
them,  together  with  Commissioner  Powderly,  to  Palermo.  They  werei 
elated  with  their  success,  and  anticipated  a  full  share  of  the  trade,  as 
tickets  are  bought  '•'■en  bloc^^  on  this  side  and  in  blank  transmitted  tc 
the  other  side,  prepaid,  to  persons  who  are  unable  to  pay  for  them  until 
they  have  earned  the  money  in  the  United  States.  Blocks  of  these 
tickets  in  blank  I  procured  in  this  country. 

There  are  about  80  so  called  Italian  bankers  in  Kew  York,  who  have 
grown  prosperous  on  the  interest  received  on  the  money  advanced  foi 
prepaid  tickets,  and  out  of  the  traffic  in  contract  labor.  Some  of  these 
bankers  have  been  knighted  by  the  King  of  Italy,  and  hold  their  titles 
to-day,  although  their  former  record  in  courts  of  justice  was  very  un 
savory.  The  prepaid-ticket  system  should  be  abolished.  This  wouldj 
not  hinder  relatives  from  sending  money  direct  to  their  families,  but 
would  prevent  the  sale  of  thousands  of  tickets  because  the  individuals 
and  subagents  could  not  be  trusted  with  the  money. 

The  "Compagnie  Generale  Transatlantique"  runs  special  emigrant 
trains  from  Basle  to  Havre,  by  way  of  the  Jura  Simi)lon  railroad  in 
Switzerland  and  the  Chemin  de  Fer  de  I'Est  in  France,  on  which  they 
forward  emigrants  from  all  ijarts,  induced  to  migrate  by  various  emi| 
gration  agencies,  principally  that  of  ^'Zwilchenbart"  of  Basle.  Theyj 
gather  all  such  emigrants  as  are  unable  to  obtain  passports  in  theiil 
own  country,  some  being  fugitives  from  justice,  i^ersons  under  police! 
surveillance,  or  defectives.  They  are  fed  on  the  trains,  while  in  transit,- 
by  the  railroad  company,  and  are  even  provided  with  wine  at  theiil 
meals.  Others,  who  are  too  poor  to  pay  railroad  fare  for  third-class! 
passengers,  tramp  to  the  border,  camp  out  nights,  and  finally  find  theiij 
way  to  Havre  or  Boulogne,  where  they  make  use  of  their  prepaid  tick-j 
ets,  on  which  they  are  booked  through  to  the  United  States. 

I  transmit  samples  of  blank  prepaid  steerage  tickets,  which  arej 
issued  '^en  hloc^^  to  agents,  subagents,  storekeepers,  and  even  toj 
United  States  postmasters,  by  the  steamship  companies.  I  procured 
these  tickets  from  a  person  in  this  country,  who  gave  them  to  me  onj 
condition  that  I  cut  out  the  numbers,  in  order  that  the  compauiesi 
might  not  identify  the  place  from  whence  they  came.    This  ticket 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    299 

agent  informed  me  that  they  are  authorized  to  sell  them  on  install- 
ments, as  low  as  $2  per  month  being  paid  on  them;  and  they  can  be 
issued  in  quantities  in  blank  to  anyone  who  desires  to  bring  any  num- 
ber of  laborers  over  under  contract.  Some  of  these  tickets  have  a  spa<?e 
for  amount  of  cash  to  be  paid  to  passenger,  and  are  printed  in  three 
languages  on  the  same  ticket. 

Vice-Oonsul,  Gen.  King,  at  Paris,  told  Commissioners  Cross,  Powderly, 
and  myself  that  he  had  recently  noticed  large  parties  of  very  poor  and 
ragged  Italians  passing  through  Paris  on  their  way  to  Havre  and 
Boulogne ;  and  that  neither  he  nor  anybody  else  could  get  any  infor- 
mation from  them  or  from  the  steamship  companies  concerning  these 
emigrants;  and  he  advised  us  not  to  consult  the  steamship  companies 
if  we  wanted  to  get  information.  Some  of  these  emigrants  tramp 
through  Switzerland,  Belgium,  Holland,  and  Germany  to  embark  from 
the  various  ports,  such  as  Antwerp,  Amsterdam,  Kotterdam,  Bremen, 
ind  Hamburg. 

I  interviewed  a  number  of  them  at  Antwerp,  and  those,  who  would 
r^alk  at  all,  had  the  same  story.  They  believed  that  grapes  grew  wild 
ilong  our  railroads,  and  that  the  price  of  labor  was  four  times  as  great 
IS  in  Italy,  and  that  there  was  a  great  demand  here  for  their  serv- 
ces. 

Mr.  Holme,  the  agent  of  the  Anchor  Line  at  Naples,  admitted  to  me 
n  the  presence  of  Commissioner  Cross,  that  over  three-fourths  of  the 
emigrant  tickets  were  prepaid  on  this  side,  and  ajS  the  fare  from  Naples 
o  the  United  States  is  $8  less  than  to  Brazil,  or  any  other  transatlantic 
country,  the  majority  of  the  poorer  emigrants  come  to  the  United  States. 
3e  also  stated  that  his  company  acts  as  bankers,  and  that  the  volume  of 
Qoney  sent  from  the  United  States  by  emigrants  to  their  relatives  and 
fiends  in  Italy  was  surprisingly  large.  He  also  stated  that  some  of 
he  Italian  banks  in  New  York  had  branch  houses  in  Naples,  which 
landled  the  earnings  of  these  emigrants  and  advanced  the  money  to 
uch  as  were  unable  to  get  prepaid  tickets  from  this  side,  such  as  were 
dthout  relatives  or  friends  in  America. 

One  of  the  De  Luca  Brothers,  steamship  agents  and  bankers  at  Na- 
»les,  said,  in  conversation  with  Commissioner  Cross  and  myself,  that  the 
teamship  companies'  pool,  whose  conference  he  attended  in  England 
ecently,  had  decided  to  pay  all  expenses  of  litigation  in  the  United 
states  relative  to  emigration  matters ;  and  he  complained  that  the  steer- 
ge  agreement  then  made  in  England  had  been  violated  by  the  North 
lerman  Lloyd  Steamship  Company,  namely,  that  they  had  fitt'Cd  up 
heir  steamers  for  the  steerage  traffic,  after  having  agreed  not  to  em- 
bark in  the  same. 

The  revenue  which  the  Italian  Government  collects  from  passi)orts 
mounts  to  an  important  item  in  their  budget.  They  obtain  $3.50  for 
ach  passport,  and  are  not  very  particular  as  to  whom  the  same  is  is- 
sued. In  this  connection  I  shall  quote  some  paragraphs  from  a  letter 
tf  one  of  our  consuls  in  Italy,  which  letter  will  be  found  in  Vol.  i, 
Vppendix,  page  313. 
He  says: 

The  effect  of  the  local  requirement  as  to  passport*  is  destroyed  by  persons  preeent- 
ig  themselves  for  certificates  under  assumed  names.  The  record  is  examined  for 
iat  name,  no  charge  of  course  is  found,  and  the  certificate  is  granted;  and  by  this 
leans  criminals  of  the  deepest  dye  obtain  certificates. 

It  is  also  believed  that  in  order  to  free  the  community  of  notoriously  bad  charac- 
'irs  they  issue  such  certificates  under  an  assumed  name,  even  though  the  person  ap- 
lying  is  well  known. 

Existing  local  requirements  therefore  don't  prevent  the  emigration  of  criminals, 
}  Ia  ttjxforiuuateljr  too  well  known,  and  ka»  no  effect  wkateyer  oa  tlM  eld  and  de- 


300    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTEACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

crepit  ones,  or  those  afllicted  with  contagious  or  loathsome  diseases,  the  latter 
wliich  prevjiil  to  an  alarming  extent. 

Italy  would  not  willingly  lose  those  of  her  people  who  would  make  useful  citizC'i 
in  the  United  States;  and  she  would  only  consent  to  give  up  to  us  such  of  her  pc 
pie  as  in  no  event  should  be  permitted  to  put  foot  on  American  soil. 

He  advocates  examination  by  consular  agents  or  employes  at  tl 
houses  of  intending  emigrants,  alttiougli  his  district  is  large,  and  tl 
people,  as  he  states,  "  capable  of  more  deception  than  any  other  pla« 
on  earth,  and  that  it  could  not  be  properly  done  at  less  expense  thf 
$2,0()()  per  annum:  that  the  majority  of  the  emigrants  from  his  distri 
are  from  the  rural  districts,  and  they  live  almost  all  in  small  towns  ai 
hamlets,  and  that  from  these  small  towns  in  the  interior  emanates 
lar.ce  majority  of  Sicilian  crime  and  criminals.'^ 

The  interpreter  whom  Commissioner  Powderly  engaged  in  IiTapL 
(see  Eeport  of  Commissioner  Powderly),  and  who  accompanied  us  ( 
board  the  steamer  California,  had  been  to  this  country  four  times  sim 
the  preceding  month  of  May,  in  the  capacity  of  an  assistant  interprete  • 
paid  and  graded  on  the  books  of  the  steamship  corar)any  as  a  stewar- 
and  whose  duty  it  Avas  to  instruct  the  steerage  passengers  what  to  S£ 
and  how  to  land  at  Castle  Garden.  He  exhibited  his  commission  j 
such  to  Mr.  Powderly  and  myself,  and  it  was  .sngned  by  a  well-kno\^ 
steamship  agent  in  Xew  York  City,  belonging  to  the  Anchor  Line.* 

Commissioner  Powderly  and  myself  represented  ourselves  asi)ersoi 
who  were  looking  for  contract  laborers;  and  while  the  agents  agre( 
to  furnish  us  with  as  many  as  we  wanted  at  the  rate  of  50  per  day,  th( 
expressed  astonishment  that  we  had  taken  the  trouble  to  come  to  Ita 
for  that  purpose  when  it  could  have  been  done  just  as  well  by  their  agen 
in  Mulberry  street,  ISTew  York. 

I  exhibit  herewith  a  cii'cular  letter  drafted  by  the  chairman  of  th' 
commission  (with  the  exception  of  the  questions  on  the  last  pag 
which  are  my  own  suggestions).  I  find  that  out  of  the  hundreds 
American  consuls  in  Europe  only  sixty-seven  responded  at  all.  Tl! 
majority  favor  foreign  certification,  twenty-three  make  no  reply  as 
diverted  emigration,  and  four  answered  "don't  know."  Nine  say  not' 
ing  relative  to  steamship  companies  encouraging  migration,  which  w:l 
the  first  question  put  to  them;  and  only  four  jwsitively  state  that  en 
gration  is  at  all  promoted  by  steamship  companies.  Three  additio: 
ones  make  indefinite  statements.  As,  unfortunately,  a  number  of  O' 
foreign  consular  representatives,  usually  the  vice-consuls,  are  very 
timately  connected  with  foreign  steamship  comi^anies,  some  of  th 
being  steamship  agents,  the  unsatisfactory  result  of  these  inquiri 
not  surprising. 

One  of  these  consuls,  whose  district  is  in  Germany,  heads  his  le 
confidential,  and  in  reply  to  the  question  relative  to  diverted  emi 
tion  says : 

It  would  be  hard,  indeed,  to  submit  such  proof  as  a  court  of  law  would  consid 
sufficient,  yet  your  committee  and  our  people  in  America  know  that  hundreds  of  eu 
grants  go  to  America  when  they  can't  go  elsewhere;  which  means,  of  course,  1' 
Europe  is  unloading  undesirable  persons  on  us.  The  IJnited  States  has  played  **i 
lum  for  all  nations"  long  enough,  and  in  my  humble  opinion  the  time  has  arrived J 
emigration  to  be  decreased,  if  not  suspended  altogether,  at  lea^t  for  a  decade. 

His  letter  will  be  found  in  vol.  ii.     His  testimony  is  important, 
cause  he  is  located  contiguous  to  Eussia,  Poland,  Austria,  and  Hi 
gary,  and  because  it  is  confidential. 

^yhile  at  Naples,  together  with  Commissioners  Cross  and  Powderl 
we  inspected  the  embarkation  of  a  cargo  of  emigrants  on  the  steal 
California^  of  the  Anchor  Line,  whose  headquarters  are  in  Glasgo| 

'For  name  see  Report  of  Commissioner  Powderly, 


ET^ORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.         301 

Commissioner  Powderly  and  myself  boarded  tlie-  steamer  incognito,  and 
witnessed  the  sham  inspection  of  emigTants  before  sailing,  and  we  no- 
ticed the  change  in  the  inspection  when  Commissioner  Cross  came  on 
board  in  propria  persona.  He  was  accompanied  by  the  agent  of  the 
Anchor  Line  and  the  American  consul,  and  as  soon  as  the  tender  came 
in  sight  the  medical  inspection  was  rigidly  enforced.  All  passengers 
were  vaccinated,  and  their  passports  received  the  strictest  scrutiny.* 

Two  of  the  intending  emigrants  were  rudely  cast  aside  and  i^iit  in 
charge  of  the  police  as  being  criminals  under  surveillance  and  endeav- 
oring to  embark  on  i)assports  issued  to  other  persons.  Yet,  when  Com- 
missioner Cross  and  myself  left  the  steamer,  these  same  individuals 
were  allowed  to  go  in  the  steerage  and  embark  to  this  country. 

Others  were  allowed  to  pass  who  were  afflicted  with  diseases,  notably 
contagious  diseases  of  the  scalp,  which  were  plainly  visible  around  the 
edges  of  their  bonnets  and  ca[)s,  which  were  not  removed  duriug  the 
course  of  the  sham  medical  inspection;  still  others,  particularly  those 
from  the  various  provinces  of  northern  Italy,  who  suffered  from  a  pre- 
vailing constitutional  disease  called  '^ Pellagra"  (due  chietly  to  improper 
nourishment,  and  which  it  is  said  frequently  ends  in  suicidal  mania), 
were  allowed  to  pass  the  medical  inspector  without  the  least  attempt  at 
scrutiny  and  without  a  single  rejection.  According  to  Commissioner 
Powderly,  only  one  person  was  taken  from  the  ship  before  it  sailed,  and 
on  inquiry  Commissioner  Powderl}^,  who  remained  on  guard  until  the 
steamer  sailed,  found  that  this  one  person  had  not  possessed  himself  of 
a  passage  ticket.  I  made  some  inquiries  at  the  police  headquarters  the 
following  day  relative  to  these  persons,  and  was  told  that  those  who 
had  been  rejected  in  the  ])resence  of  Commissioner  Cross  had  afterwards 
proven  that  they  were  entitled  to  embark,  except  the  one  who  had  been 
rejected.  The  conversation  between  the  police  lieutenant  and  the 
agent,  Chimino  (who  is  said  to  be  a  millionaire),  about  these  men  was 
of  a  lively  and  interesting  character,  the  agent  protesting  against  even 
the  temporary  setting  aside  of  any  of  the  emigrants  in  the  presence  of 
the  Commissioner,  stating  boldly  that  if  they  were  rejected  on  this  side 
he  would  be  responsible  and  would  pay  for  their  return  passage.  The 
police  officials  maintained  that  it  w^as  good  policy  to  reject  them  at  that 
time,  but  the  will  of  Agent  Chimino  was  carried  out. 

I  am  satisfied  that  no  dependence  can  be  placed  on  any  restriction 
based  on  inspection  by  steamship  companies  or  their  agents;  and  that 
we  can  not  rely  even  upon  the  police  regulations  of  foreign  countries, 
which  in  Italy  and  in  Germany  prohibit  the  departure  of  criminals  or 
persons  under  police  surveillance;  and  that  emigration  should  be  sifted 
at  the  port  of  embarkation  by  our  own  special  oliicials,  as  well  as  at  the 
port  of  debarkation.  Nothing  short  of  this  will  restrict  undesirable 
immigration  except  a  higher  per  capita  tax. 

The  struggle  for  existence  in  Italy  is  more  severe  than  in  any  other 
country  on  the  continent  except  possibly  Kussia.  About  15,000,000 
persons  out  of  a  total  of  30,000,000  are  dependent  on  agriculture,  which 
governs  the  economic  situation  in  Italy.  From  a  report  recently  issued 
of  the  English  foreign  ofiice,  it  appears  that  the  net  income  derived  from 
the  land  in  Italy,  after  payment  of  taxes,  barely  exceeds  £40,000,000 
sterling,  owing  to  the  limited  amount  of  land  under  cultivation,  which 
necessitates  the  importation  of  50  per  cent  of  the  food  products  cou- 

*In  tliis  connection  I  will  state  tliat  while  in  the  steerage  of  tlie  steamer  Servia, 
disguised  as  a  pauyjer  and  assisted  l)y  an  P^nglish  society,  I  received  a  certificate  of 
vaccination  from  the  ship's  snrgeon,  never  having  been  vaccinated.  The  252  other 
passengcTs  received  their  certificntcs  in  jnst  twenty-two  minntes.  (See  origina] 
certificate  of  Surgeon  Sydney  E.  F.  Cude,  Cunard  Line,  tiled  herewith.) 


302  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

Slimed.  The  direct  taxes  alone,  governmental  and  communal,  amount 
t^  about  £9,560,000;  exclusive  of  the  salt  income,  the  cattle  dutiesy 
and  the  house  duties,  which  amount  to  £5,560,000. 

Mortgages  also  constitute  an  important  item  in  the  list  of  difficulties 
against  which  the  people  have  to  struggle.  Just  a  year  ago  the  totalj 
interest-bearing  mortgage  debt  in  Italy  amounted  to  £360,000,000;  and 
it  is  roughly  estimated  that  £200,000,000  are  represented  by  mortgages 
on  land,  and  the  remainder  by  mortgages  on  houses.  When  the  inter- 
est on  these  mortgages  is  deducted  from  the  £40,000,000  produced  by 
the  land,  the  balance  can  not  be  very  considerable. 

Emigration,  or  the  opening  of  opportunities  to  labor,  are  the  only 
alternatives ;  for  the  earnings  of  the  peasantry  must  be  governed  more 
or  less  by  the  means  of  their  employment.  They  cultivate  plots  of  from 
3  to  7  acres,  and  supplement  their  meager  incomes  by  hiring  themselves 
out  as  day  laborers.  Others  are  tenant  farmers,  cultivating  farms  of 
from  20  to  50  acres  in  the  northern  and  central  parts  of  Italy,  and  from 
that  to  250  acres  in  the  southern  part.  Their  tenure  is  a  mixed  system; 
of  sharing  and  rental,  paid  in  kind,  or  cash,  of  which  the  landlord  gets 
the  lion's  share. 

The  laborers  are  of  two  classes,  the  one  permanently  attached  to  the 
farms,  the  other  casual.  It  is  the  casual  class  to  whom  attention  is 
chiefly  turned  with  regard  to  the  labor  question.  With  the  increase  of 
population,  added  to  the  depreciation  of  agriculture,  the  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  the  day  laborers  obtaining  a  regular  living  are  always  on 
the  increase.  They  are  badly  fed  and  are  poorly  housed.  They  are 
illiterate,  and  the  prevalence  of  rural  thefts  shows  one  way  in  which 
but  too  often  they  attempt  to  procure  maintenance  for  their  families. 
In  many  districts  they  can  not  earn  by  regular  work  more  than  between 
$40  and  $60  per  annum.  The  women  are  employed  in  the  avocations 
with  the  men.  I  have  seen  them  in  the  stone  quarries,  carrying  huge 
stones  on  their  heads.  They  work  also  on  the  building  of  railroads, 
and,  as  in  other  continental  countries,  it  is  a  common  sight  to  see  them 
harnessed  to  wagons  on  the  streets,  beside  a  mule,  a  cow,  or  a  dog. 
They  worked  beside  the  men  in  laying  the  stone  pavements  in  the 
streets  of  Naples. 

Active  signs  of  discontent  have  become  manifest,  and  local  associa- 
tions for  the  purpose  of  resistance  have  been  formed.  Strikes  are  oc- 
curring in  various  parts  of  the  country,  and  there  seems  to  be  a  univer- 
sal combination  against  the  enforcement  of  aU  laws  relating  to  prop- 
erty. Whenever  cases  are  brought  to  trial  no  witnesses  will  testify, 
and  those  who  would  are  removed.  There  are  about  5,000  murders 
committed  annually,  according  to  Italian  statistics. 

I  was  informed  by  an  American  consul  (Pugh  at  Palermo)  that  in  a 
trial  in  which  a  member  of  the  Mafia  was  involved,  one  of  the  witnesses 
had  to  be  protected  by  being  placed  in  an  iron  cage  while  in  the  court 
room,  for  fear  of  personal  violence  from  the  populace,  because  he  gave 
testimony.  While  we  were  in  Italy,  in  a  case  in  which  the  Mafia  were 
supi)ose(i  to  be  implicated,  it  was  necessary  to  have  a  change  of  venue, 
and  the  trial  was  transferred  from  Palermo  to  Naples;  ostensibly  for 
the  convenience  of  some  of  the  parties  interested,  but  really  (as  I  was 
informed  by  the  former  vice-consul  at  Naples  *)  because  witnesses  would 
not  testify  in  the  case  if  the  trial  were  held  in  the  community  where 
the  case  originated. 

This  condition  of  affairs  necessitates  a  large  force  of  local  police,  to 


•  For  name  see  Commissioner  Cross's  report. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     303 

wliich  is  added  almost  an  army  of  gendarmes,  wlio  are  a  police,  but  not 
of  local  character,  and  travel  from  one  province  to  another;  and  a  large 
standing-  army  and  magniiiceut  navy,  much  larger  than  can  be  conven- 
iently supported  by  any  community,  are  enrolled.  Besides  this  there 
is  a  large  population  who  belong  to  religious  so(^ietes  and  communities, 
who  are  also  nonproducers  and  must  necessarily  be  supported  by  those 
who  labor.  These  varions  classes  (soldiers,  sailors,  police,  and  reli- 
gious), to  which  must  be  added  the  landholding  aristocracy,  are  respon- 
sible for  the  poverty  of  the  people,  who  are  forced  either  to  emigrate 
or  suffer  hunger,  because  their  burden  is  too  great  to  be  borne. 

In  fact,  emigration  is  the  oidy  safety  valve  which  prevents  an  explo- 
sion, not  ahuie  in  Italy,  but  in  Great  Britain,  Germany,  Austria,  and 
Russia.  It  is  the  solution  adopted  by  foreign  diplomats  to  a  great 
])roblem  of  state,  and  serves  as  the  strongest  prop  of  top-heavy  and 
expensive  governments. 

In  the  course  of  an  interview  with  the  venerable  Cardinal  Manning, 
at  his  residence  in  London,  his  eminence,  in  speaking  of  emigration  and 
iinmigration,  stated  to  me  that  one  of  England's  greatest  blessings  was 
her  ability  to  get  rid  of  her  ])aui)er  classes  through  emigration  to  her 
colonies  and  to  the  United  States,  and  that  if  this  conduit  were  closed 
lor  a  decade,  revolution  would  result.  He  stated  that  he  had  carefully 
examined  the  question  of  emigration,  and  that  tlie  umlerlying  reason 
tlierefor  was  that  to-day  in  England  34  out  of  every  35  of  her  popula- 
tion were  ^'lacklauds."* 

FRANCE. 

The  Kepublic  of  France  is  a  shining  exception  to  this  rule,  because 
of  the  better  form  of  government  and  better  distribution  of  land  and 
money,  and  their  admirable  system  of  "profit  sharing"  in  the  industries. 
As  a  conse(|uence,  emigration  from  that  country  to  any  other  is  infinitesi- 
mally  small,  and  the  prosperity  of  France  helps  other  countries  out  of 
dillicult  situations.  Whether  its  recent  efibrt  in  behalf  of  Kussia  will 
be  sufficient  to  stem  the  tide  of  destitution  and  prevent  the  sacrifice  of 
millions  of  lives  from  starvation  and  disease  is  yet  an  open  question.! 
The  monopoly  of  land  and  money  is  the  universal  cause  of  emigration. 

RUSSIA. 

The  alleged  persecutions  in  Russia,  so  greatly  magnified  because  of 
England's  unfriendliness  to  Eussia,  exist  only  in  the  fancy  of  Russo- 
phobists  and  of  i)ersons  who  have  never  looked  into  tlie  economic  situ- 
ation in  Kussia,  and  as  the  American  press  gets  most  of  its  information 
from  English  sources  and  not  from  Russian  papers,  only  one  side  of  the 
case  is  presented.  While  it  is  true  that  certain  edicts  have  been  in 
force  since  1882,  which  are  intended  to  bring  about  industrial  reform 
and  concern  economic  conditions  solely,  both  in  essence  and  effect,  and 
which  are  exclusively  directed  against  persons  who  are  not  born  in 
Russia,  yet  they  are  unquestionably  in  the  interest  of  the  general  wel- 
fare of  the  Russian  people,  and  their  political  wisdom  will  be  better 
a])preciated  by  the  world  at  large  when  the  economic  reforms  intended 
have  been  accomplished. 

While  Hebrews  who  do  not  belong  to  the  "First  Guild"  (that  is,  those 
who  are  financially  responsible)  have  been  restricted  to  what  is  called 
the  Pale  of  Settlement,  about  sixteen  i^rovinces,  which  includes  the 
warmer  and  more  fertile  part  of  Russia  and  the  whole  of  Poland,  extend- 
ing from  the  Baltic  to  the  Black  Sea  and  into  the  interior  to  the  border 

*  Landless. 

t  Contagious  diseases  are  a  corollary  to  poverty,  hunger,  and  filth. 


u 


;04    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


I 


I 


of  Courlaiid,  Livonia,  Pskov,  Smolensk,  Orel,  Koursk,  Kharkov,  Bon 
Cossaeks,  and  the  Sea  of  Azov;  yet  the  fciet  remains  undisputed  that 
wldle  their  proportion  of  ])opuhitiou,  compared  witli  the  Christians,  is 
as  1  to  20,  less  than  one-third  of  tliem  own  nearly  one-i^alf  of  the  en- 
tire wealth  of  the  country.  This  is  a  matter  of  general  notoriety  in 
Kussia  and  has  an  important  hearing  ou  the  social  status  of  the  He- 
brew. 

Those  who  are  prosperous  never  think  of  emigrating  to  this  or  any 
otlier  countr}^,  and  are  exceedingly  anxious  to  be  relieved  of  the  sup- 
port of  tlieir  less  fortunate  coreligionists,  and  have  in  the  past  adopted 
numerous  colonization  schemes,  notably  in  Palestine  and  Argentina, 
wliere  lands  and  pensions  of  money  await  Jewish  settlers  who  would 
adopt  agriculture  as  a  profession.  Yet  all  such  efforts  have  proved 
failures,  and  the  majority  of  those  who  have  emigrated  in  the  past  have 
returned  to  Kussia. 

While  at  Odessa.  I  saw  large  numbers  of  these  unfortunate  people, 
who  had  returned  in  a  body,  and  who  were  given  prepaid  tickets  by 
the  Jewish  societies  and  booked  through  to  America.  They  were  intel- 
ligent people,  able  to  read  and  write  Hebrew,  and  nearly  all  of  them 
were  conversant  with  the  German  language,  numbers  of  them  having 
been  born  in  Germany  or  Austria,  which  countries  have  by  less  dii-ect  I 
means  (through  anti-semitic  societies,  etc.)  made  life  so  uncomfortable  i 
to  the  Hebrews  that  to-day  they  only  comprise  one-eightieth  part  of  '' 
the  population,  though  it  is  said  that  part  owns  about  one-third  of  the 
wealth  of  Germany,  the  poorest  classes  having  emigrated  to  other 
countries,  principally  to  Eussia  and  Austria- Hungary.  In  Hamburg, 
Bremen,  Antwerp,  Kotterdam,  and  Amsterdam  I  found  the  emigrant 
boarding-houses  taxed  to  their  utmost  capacity  with  these  so-called 
refugees,  who  were  being  supported  by  their  own  societies,  and  latterly 
by  funds  collected  at  public  meetings,  and  who  were  awaiting  their 
turn  to  be  sent  to  America.  I  believe  that  fully  20,000  of  them  were 
depending  on  charity  for  existence  in  the  continental  cities  which  I 
visited. 

As  I  understand  the  Kussian  edicts,  they  are  intended  to  keep  per- 
sons in  their  native  provinces  and  not  to  expel  them  from  the  country. 
No  native  Russian  Jew  has  ever  been  expelled  from  his  home  simply  ou 
account  of  his  belief  or  non-belief;  other  causes  enter  into  each  equa-  .Vr. 
tion,  sui  generis,  a  number  of  Jews  have  in  recent  years  been  raised  to  the  'ft' 
nobility  in  Russia.  They  controlled  the  commercial  life  of  great  cities, 
like  Moscow,  St.  Petersburg,  Kieff',  and  Riga,  where  their  intellectual 
supremacy  and  subtlety  asserted  itself,  and  the  old  acts  from  the  statutes 
o-i*  other  countries  were  enacted  against  them,  and  they  were  sent  from 
the  cities  back  to  the  provinces  from  whence  they  came. 

Here  their  superior  skill  in  trade  again  manifested  itself.  They 
crowded  others  out,  the  weaker  members  of  their  own  race  as  well  as 
Gentiles,  and  now  town  and  countrj^  are  alike  against  them.  It  takes 
the  entire  energy  of  the  Government,  with  all  its  military  strength  and 
power,  to  prevent  an  uprising  of  the  peasantry,  who  are  bent  on  what 
they  call  ''taking  back  their  own;"  and  it  would  not  be  surprising  to 
those  who  understand  the  situation  if  in  the  near  future  the  whole 
I)ower  of  the  Government  will  be  unable  to  protect  the  rich  from  the 
starving  Russian  peasants.  Self-preservation  is  the  first  law  of  nature, 
and  there  are  to-day  in  Russia  nearly  15,000,000  peasants  on  the  verge 
ot  starvation,  with  no  prospects  in  the  immediate  future  except  misery, 
disease,  or  death. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    dU5 

The  total  population  of  Jews  in  Eussia  is  only  5,000,000  souls,  while 
the  Oliristian  poimlation  is  over  100,000,000.  The  former  live  just  the 
same  in  the  Russian  provinces  as  they  do  in  Austria-Hungary,  where 
there  are  no  edicts  against  them.  Tlie  rich  are  even  wealthier,  yet  tlie 
poor  are  juSt  as  poor ;  but,  no  matter  how  great  their  poverty,  they 
shrink  from  manual  labor.  They  will  not  dig  nor  farm,  nor  wiU  they 
carry  a  hod.  They  receive  assistance  and  are  a  great  financial  drain 
on  their  wealthy  coreligionists  on  the  continent,  who  hope  to  shake  off 
the  burden  by  means  of  immigration  and  colonization. 

On  the  other  hand,  I  saw  families  of  honest,  simple  Eussian  peas- 
ants ahmg  the  roa.ds,  seeking  work  of  any  kind,  carrying  their  bag 
aud  baggage,  leaving  the  barren  old  homestead,  sullen,  gloomy,  and 
silent,  traveling  from  place  to  place  seeking  a  better  location,  and  driven 
to  such  a  state  of  desi)eration  that  they  would  accept  nothiug  as  a  loan. 
<' A  gift  or  nothiug"  was  their  reply  to  those  who  would  lend  to  them. 
Experience  had  taught  them  that  in  the  long  run  they  were  as  well  off 
Avith  nothing  as  to  borrow  and  i^ay  interest  or  to  work  on  shares. 

The  town  of  Brody,  which  is  near  the  Eussian  frontier,  the  largest 
purely  Jewish  town  in  Austria-Hungary,  which  was  formerly  one  of  the 
free  cities  of  the  Empire  and  then  a  flourishing  place,  has  now  lost  its 
freedom  and  has  become  poorer  and  poorer,  and  how  its  20,000  inhab- 
itants make  a  living  is  a  mystery  to  the  most  careful  observer,  the  ma- 
jority being  middlemen  or  peddlers.  The  Hebrew  in  Europe  has  the 
reputation  of  being  a  noni^roducer,  and  this  is  why  his  coming  is  so 
dreaded  all  through  Euroj)e,  and  accounts  for  the  vigilance  with  which 
the  "committees"  keep  him  moving  along  the  line  until  he  embarks 
for  a  foreign  shore,  his  own  wealthy  coreligionists  being  more  anxious 
to  be  rid  of  him  than  others. 

At  a  mass  meeting  which  I  attended  in  London,  and  which  is  herein- 
before described,  it  can  be  noticed  from  a  careful  perusal  of  the  speeches 
that  were  made,*  that  each  orator,  among  the  members  of  Parliament 
who  spoke,  in  turn  avowed  at  the  beginning  of  his  remarks  that  the 
question  of  race  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  meeting;  and  yet,  before 
their  speeches  had  been  half  delivered,  their  remarks  were  directed 
entirely  against  the  Jews.  Only  one  of  the  speakers,  Mr.  Benj.  Tillett, 
was  frank  enough  to  avow  the  real  purpose  of  the  meeting  at  the  out- 
set of  his  remarks,  which  he  plainly  stated  was  "for  the  purpose  of 
working  up  a  sentiment  among  the  English  people,  in  order  that  legis- 
lation might  be  had  in  rarliament  for  the  puri)ose  of  restricting  the 
immigration  of  destitute  aliens,  and  to  prevent  i)auper  Eussian  Jews 
from  further  degrading  the  east  end  of  London  by  spreading  the  sweat- 
ing system,  driving  out  English  workmen,  and  lowering  their  wages." 

At  Amsterdam  1  met  a  party  of  Eussian  Jews,  who  were  detained 
one  week  because  they  had  been  overcharged  on  a  German  railroad,  in 
transit  from  Memel,  in  Eussia.  Every  member  of  the  party  lacked  4 
marks,  or  about  $1,  and  they  telegraphed  to  the  Jewish  society,  which 
had  paid  their  way  over,  and  received  the  money,  which  enabled  them 
to  sail  the  following  week,  notice  of  which  I  furnished  the  Department 
at  the  time,  giving  a  descri])tion  and  names  of  some  of  the  party,  to- 
gether with  other  particulars. 

These  persons  were  sheltered  in  Jewish  boarding  houses,  and  instead 
of  paying  for  their  board  and  lodging  they  signed  ]n'inted  and  pre- 
pared tickets  in  stub  books,  which  were  paid  for  in  bulk  by  the  Jewish 
society.  These  tickets  were  torn  off  and  given  to  the  emigrants  as  re- 
ceipts, while  the  stub  end  was  retained  by  the  lodging  house  keeper 

*  Sec  London  papers  of  July  25,  1891. 

H.  Ex.  235 ^20 


306    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

for  payment,  and  shows  the  date  of  arrival,  name  of  guest,  number  of 
adults  and  children,  and  date  of  departure.  I  file,  as  an  exhibit,  part 
of  one  of  these  receipts. 

The  pauper  Russian  Jew  is  not  welcome  anywhere  in  Europe;  and 
in  Palestine  and  Argentina,  where  he  is  welcome,  he  does  not  remain. 
In  spite  of  reports  that  the  Hirsch  fand  ie  intended  to  colonize  them  there, 
statistics  show  that  double  the  number  of  Hebrews  that  now  reside  in 
the  Holy  Land  have  arrived  at  the  port  of  New  York  alone  during  the 
last  year,  50,000  having  been  recorded  at  Castle  Garden  with  Eussian 
passports.  According  to  reliable  statistics,  there  are  3,500,000  Jews  in 
Russia,  Poland,  Roumania,  and  Austro-Hungary,  that  may  properly 
be  called  paupers. 

During  the  past  year  (1891)  the  number  of  Poles  who  arrived  at  Cas- 
tle Garden  m  given  as  27,997 ;  the  number  of  Austrians  is  given  as 
27,701;  the  number  of  Hungarians  is  given  as  25,201,  and  including 
49,624  with  Russian  passports,  the  total  runs  up  to  over  130,000,  four- 
fifths  of  whom,  at  a  moderate  estimate,  are  Hebrews,  and  most  of  whom 
settled  in  our  great  cities.  About  oiie-thiid  of  them  are  in  New  York 
to-day.* 

On  Sunday,  November  1,  1891,  in  company  with  Commissioner  Pow- 
derly,  I  visited  the  Jewish  quarter  in  New  York  City,  and  found  that 
nearly  all  of  the  inmates  of  the  tenement  houses  were  at  work,  just  as 
they  had  been  on  every  other  day  of  the  week,  including  Saturday. 
Doubtless  a  statement  of  these  facts  will  be  ascribed  to  prejudice,  but 
anyone  who  has  any  doubts  can  easily  reassure  himself  by  an  inquiry 
into  the  subject. 

It  has  been  frequently  denied  that  Jewish  committees  exist  in  the 
various  cities  throughout  Europe  for  the  purpose  of  colonizing  their 
indigent  poor  in  this  country,  and,  for  this  reason,  I  quote  from  sworn  tes- 
timony taken  before  a  select  committee  on  emigration  and  immigration 
of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  use  only  such  testimony  as  is  given  by 
prominent  Hebrews  who  are  not  prejudiced  against  their  coreligionists, 
and  who  belong  to  the  societies  which  send  us  their  detritus  Iromi^laces 
like  Berdicheff,  the  city  where  the  great  Russo- Jewish  fair  is  always 
held,  and  which  has  a  population  of  100,000,  of  whom  90,000  are  Jews. 

Four-fifths  of  the  people  are  middlemen  and  live  in  garrets,  sheds, 
filthy  cellars,  or  the  dilapidated  bazars  where  the  fairs  are  held,  and 
nothing  is  done  to  imx^rove  the  sanitation  of  the  town  or  the  health  of 
its  stoop-shouldered  and  debilitated  inhabitants.  The  only  buildings 
which  attract  notice  on  account  of  cleanliness  are  the  two  Christian 
churches.  The  sanitary  condition  which  obtains  in  Austro- Jewish  cities 
like  Brody,  Lemberg,  and  Mardmoras  Sziget  is  still  worse,  except  in 
the  Christian  quarters  of  those  cities,  which  are  scrupulously  clean. 
Kieff,  the  Mecca  for  Russian  peasant  pilgrims,  aftbrds  a  strong  contrast 
with  its  neighboring  city  of  Birdicheff,  on  account  of  its  beauty  and 
cleanliness.  Here  the  poor  Jews  are  obliged  by  legal  restrictions  to 
confine  themselves  to  certain  streets,  which  are  kept  clean  through  the 
rigid  enforcement  of  strict  sanitary  regulations. 

The  Turkish  Government  has  enforced  edicts  prohibiting  the  landing 
of  Jewish  families  on  Turkish  soil,  not  even  allowing  them  to  pass  over  Ot- 
toman territory  en  route  to  any  other  country,  basing  their  edicts  on  sani- 
tary grounds.  No  economic  reason  is  given.  It  can  not  be  said  that 
it  is  religious  persecution  on  the  part  of  the  Turks,  for  in  their  edicts 
no  exception  is  made  in  favor  of  Mahommedan  Jews. 

*  If  persecution  is  the  real  cause  of  this  pauper  invasion,  a  fortiori,  this  Govern- 
ment should  interdict  suck  immigration  at  once,  and  not  allow  itaelf  to  be  the 
world's  waste-basket. 


I 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    307 

In  the  city  of  Xaples,  with  a  population  of  600,000,  less  than  a  dozen 
Jewish  families  exist.  In  the  southern  i^art  of  Italy  there  are  none. 
Yet  there  is  plenty  of  idle  land  there,  enough  for  all  the  Italians  and 
Hebrews  in  the  world,  which  could  b^  cultivated  by  agriculturists,  in 
a  sunny  land  and  amid  beautiful  and  historic  surroundings. 

It  may  be  that  the  efforts  of  Baron  Hirscli  to  make  ftirmers  out  of 
his  coreligionists  will  now  be  successful,  but  the  fact  remains  that  all 
such  experiments  in  the  past  have  proved  unqualified  failures;  and 
even  though  the  land  is  given  to  them,  they  will  farm  it  out  to  others 
without  working  thereon  themselves,  and  content  themselves  with  part 
of  the  proceeds.  I  have  dealt  with  this  subject  without  sentiment, 
which,  in  my  opinion,  has  no  place  in  an  economic  problem  like  immi- 
gration or  emigration ;  if  it  has,  then  the  Chinese  exclusion  act  is  a 
"monstrous  wrong,"  and  should  be  rei^ealedin  order  to  permit  them  to 
overrun  this  country  and  drive  American  labor  out  of  the  market.  As 
a  class  they  have  several  advantageous  qualities  not  possessed  by  the 
majority  of  those  who  entered  our  gates  during  the  past  four  years. 
They  are  clean,  healthy  producers  of  wealth  and  have  no  ambition  to 
control  the  politics  of  the  country.  The  Australian  colonies  not  only 
shut  out  paupers  but  the  foreigners  who  were  not  paupers,  and  did  so 
in  direct  defiance  of  the  law  of  England,  their  home  government.  The 
answer  made  by  the  premier  of  New  South  Wales,  Sir  Henry  Parks, 
was:  "  I  care  nothing  about  your  cobweb  of  technical  law;  I  am  obey- 
ing a  law  far  superior  to  any  which  issued  their  jpermits^  namely,  the  law 
of  the  preservation  of  society  in  New  South  Wales."  Australia  is  a 
young  country,  a  large  country,  and  requires  a  working  population, 
but  they  did  not  see  fit  to  allow  themselves  to  be  overrun  by  an  un- 
sifted, untaxed,  unlimited  importation  of  paupers  or  debased  cheap  labor 
for  the  sole  benefit  of  a  few  land-syndicate  steamship  companies,  or  so- 
called  captains  of  industry.  They  did  not  interpret  the  "  general  wel- 
fare" as  synonymous  with  the  welfare  of  the  generals.  They  took  a 
firm  stand  and  held  it  without  any  trouble,  not  even  a  strong  remon- 
strance from  their  home  government.  That  immigration  should  be 
sifted  more  carefully  in  America  is  apparent  to  the  veriest  tyro  in 
economics  or  sociology.  The  laissez  faire  policy  must  be  reversed  if  our 
free  institutions  are  to  be  maintained  and  the  dignity  of  labor  sus- 
tained, even  though  further  restriction  should  reduce  the  profits  of  the 
great  alien  fleets  of  steamship  companies  *  or  of  the  coal  barons  or  land 
8i)eculators. 

England  foists  its  superannuated  pensioners  on  us  by  anticipating 
their  annuities  for  a  period  of  ten  years  and  paying  the  same  to  them  in 
a  lump  sum  through  their  consular  officers  in  this  country  as  an  induce- 
ment to  emigrate.  This  class  of  decrepits  is  quite  numerous,  as  it  em- 
braces those  who  have  served  the  British  Government  twenty-five  years 
or  more  in  capacities  ranging  down  to  constables  and  dock  watchmen. 
One  of  the  "  dock  force"  at  Liverpool  told  me  in  the  presence  of  Com- 
missioner Powderly  that  the  most  of  them  availed  themselves  of  this  offer 
because  it  was  more  money  than  they  ever  got  together  at  one  time. 
Another  venerable  sage,  whom  I  met  in  the  steerage  of  the  steamer 
Servia,  Cunard  line,  on  his  way  hither  was  accompanied  by  his  aged 
spouse  and  knew  more  about  New  York  hospitals  and  asylums  than  I 
did,  though  I  have  made  a  study  of  charity  organization  matters,  and 
have  for  some  years  been  an  official  delegate  to  the  annual  conference 

*  I  use  the  word  ''  fleets  "  adrisedly,  both  on  account  of  their  great  strength  numer- 
ically and  on  account  of  the  character  of  their  construction  from  a  naval  point  of 
view.  The  steerages  of  these  ocean  greyhounds  are  fitted  to  carry  masses  of  men, 
while  their  decks  are  built  to  support  the  heaviest  armament. 


308 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


of  charities  and  correction,  appointed  to  represent  the  government  ofl 
the  District  of  Columbia.  This  veteran  could  recite  the  bills  of  fare  in 
our  institutions  from  breakfast  to  supper,  and  enumerated  every  accom- 
modation which  was  an  improvement  on  those  which  obtain  in  the  old 
country.  For  ten  years  last  passed  I  have  been  personally  acquainted 
with  a  survivor  of  "  Balaklava,'^  one  of  the  famous  ''six  hundred,"  who 
has  held  and  now^  occupies  a  Government  position  in  one  of  the  Depart- 
ments in  this  city — a  pensioner  of  the  United  States  Government. 

BELGIUM. 

There  is  no  organized  emigration  movement  in  Belgium.  The  work- 
ing classes  are  well  organized  and  do  not  allow  foreign  labor  to  compete 
with  them.  They  are  and  have  been  strong  enough  to  keep  out  of  their 
country  the  use  of  labor-saving  machinery,  and  the  diversification  of 
employment  still  exists;  that  is  to  say,  nearly  everything  is  made  by 
hand.  The  land  is  more  evenly  divided  among  small  holders,  and  very 
few  persons  emigrate.  A  system  of  profit-sharing  has  obtained  in 
many  places  with  excellent  results. 

From  the  foregoing  report  it  will  be  seen  that  there  are  many  per- 
sons engaged  in  the  bnsiness  of  transferring  from  the  moribund  sys- 
tems of  European  misgovernment  vast  numbers  of  their  "dangerous," 
pauperized,  diseased,  decrepit,  and  criminal  population,  not  only  as  a 
safety-valve  to  their  own  overstrained  machinery,  but  to  serve  as  an 
element  of  weakness  in  this  Eepublic,  the  greatness  of  which  they  view 
with  growing  alarm. 

Some  of  those  persons  are  the  occupants,  or  heirs  apparent,  of  thrones, 
officers  of  charitable  societies  and  boards,  and  agents  of  carriers  by 
land  and  sea,  some  of  the  latter  subsidized  by  foreign  governments  to 
monoiDolize  the  ocean-carrying  trade. 

Others  are  within  the  bounds  of  these  United  States,  who  distribute 
the  human  detritus  as  contract  laborers,  imported  by  them  to  increase 
dividends  at  the  expense  of  wages  and  the  dignity  of  labor. 

Still  others  organize  tliese  malcontents  into  groups  to  wage  war  on 
our  system  of  government,  and  endeavor  to  bury  jjopular  sovereignty 
beneath  a  mass  of  un-American  jargon  and  bomb-throwing  anarchy. 

The  remedy  is  not  less  conspicuous  than  the  wrong,  viz: 

(a)  The  creation  of  three  resident  commissioners  located  respectively 
at  London,  Berlin,  and  Naples  (the  chairraan  to  be  a  medical  expert), 
with  local  agents  under  their  direction  at  the  principal  ports  of  em- 
barkation, w^hose  duty  it  shall  be  to  furnish  credentials  to  desirable 
emigrants  and  to  report  to  the  Superintendent  of  Immigration  all  cases 
likely  to  be  in  conflict  with  our  laws. 

(h)  The  reorganization  on  an  efficient  basis  of  the  present  system  of 
inspection  at  our  own  ports  and  frontiers. 

(c)  A  protective  per  capita  tax  on  all  immigrants  at  the  point  of  entry 
into  the  United  States. 

{d)  The  abolition  of  the  prepaid-ticket  system. 

(e)  Improving  the  steerage  for  the  protection  of  passengers,  so  as  to 
afford  proper  space,  light,  ventilation,  and  sanitation. 

(/)  An  enabling  act  authorizing  the  nation's  Executive  to  interdict 
immigration,  wholly  or  in  part,  and  to  enforce  a  national  quarantine  in 
cases  of  extraordinary  emergency,  such  as  war,  pestilence,  or  diplomatic 
exigency. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Herman  J.  Schulteis, 
Member  Special  Committee^  United  States  Treasury  Department, 

Hon.  Charles  Foster, 

Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 


Tbeasitrt  Department, 

Washington,  March  3, 1892, 
Sib  :  I  have  tlie  honor  tx)  transmifj  herewith  an  appendix  to  the  re- 
ort  of  Mr.  H.  J.  Schulties,  who  was  one  member  of  the  Commission  of 
ramigrant  Inspectors  sent  abroad  in  June  last  to  investigate  the  sub- 
let of  immigration. 

This  appendix  was  only  received  by  the  Department  on  March  1, 
istant,  and  hence  did  not  accompany  the  main  report  when  submitted 
0  Congress. 

Respectfully,  yours, 

O.  L.    SPAUI.DTNG, 

Acting  Secretary, 
The  Speaker  of  the  House  op  Eepresentatives, 

SOD 


f1 


APPENDIX. 


Imsulate  of  the  TTnited  States  of  America,  Thomas  H.  Sherman,  consnl;  'WilHaTO  J.  Snlis,  vie©  and 
deputy  consul;  J.  C.  Sherman,  deputy  consul.] 

Richmond  Buildings,  26  Chapel  Street, 

Liverpool,  July  14,  1891. 
3ir:  Agreeable  to  your  wisli  expressed  during  our  receut  conversation  I  inclose 
]rewith  answers  made  in  September,  1888,  by  my  predecessor,  Mr.  Russell,  to  a 
cies  of  questions  from  the  Department  of  State  concerning  emigration  from  this 
]rt. 

fhese  answers,  I  tbink,  would  apply  equally  well  to  similar  questions  put  to-day. 

^ou  asked  my  views  respecting  tbe  proposed   appointment  of  inspectors  in  each 

'jincipal  consular  district,  whose  duty  would  be  to  ascertain  the  fitness  or  unfitness 

!:•  citizenship  of  every  person  intending  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States. 

i  [  think  it  must  be  apparent  to  all  that  a  thorough  system  of  inspection  abroad 

:i8t  be  established  before  we  can  hope  to  keei)  ont  the  great  numbers  of  undesira- 

3  characters  that  would  flock  to  our  shores,  and  that  such  a  system  would  best  be 

•  ecnted  by  active  and  trusty  officers  sent  from  the  United  States  for  this  purpose 

one.     In  some  cases,  no  doubt  the   consul   could  select   from  among  the  natives  a 

mpetent  and  faithful  man  whose  knowledge  of  his  field  of  work  would  give  him 

eat  advantage  over  a  man  new  to  it.     In  some  districts  these  inspectors  would  have 

be  in  the  field  about  all  the  time  learning  the  character  and  qualifications  of  each 

rson  who  had  previously  made  known  his  intention  to  make  the  United  States  his 

me. 

The  time  has  come,  it  seems  to  me,  for  very  rigid  enforcement  of  very  full  and 
:ict  regulations  respecting  emigrants,  and,  as  I  have  already  intimated,  the  start- 
%  point  is  the  present  home  of  the  emigrant.     Let  him,  as   his  first  step,  formally 
ike  known  to  the  consul  nearest  his  home  his  desire  and  intention  to  emigrate  to 
e  United  States.     The  consul  would  reply  with  a  blank  form  propounding  thenec- 
3ary  questions  which  must  be  answered  under  oath ;  this  preliminary  step  should 
>  taken,  say,  two,  three,  or  six  months  before  the  issue  of  a  certificate   of  fitness, 
eanwhile  the  consul  could  send  to  the  inspector  this  man's  address  and  his  answers 
tbe  formal  questions,  and  the  inspector  would  proceed  before  the  expiration  of  the 
ne  allowed  to  ascertain  the  accuracy  or  otherwise  of  the  sworn  statements. 
»  In  many  districts  this  would  greatly  increase  the  labor  of  the  consuls,  who  should 
(  )  allowed  an  unofficial  fee  for  the  final  certificate.     In  this  district  I  should  say  that 
'  le  active  inspector,  whose  entire  traveling  expenses  should  not  exceed  $4  a  day, 
•uld  do  the  work  of  investigation,  and  that  there  should  be  a  competent  emigration 
erk  in  the  consulate.     The  salary  of  the  inspector  would  have  to  be  at  least  $2,000, 
I  should  think,  with  all  his  necessary  expenses  paid  when  traveling  under  orders. 
'  Such  a  system  well  carried  out  might  render  medical  examination  unnecessary  at 
e  port  of  departure.     The  expense  of  inspection  and  certification  abroad  should  be 
lid  by  the  emigrants.     This  might  seem  to  impose  a  hardship,  but  American  citizen- 
dp  is  worth  striving  for. 
Very  respectfully, 

Tnos.  H.  Sherman, 

Consul. 
H.  J.  ScHULTEis,  Esq., 

Member  of  the  Special  Commission  on  Emigration. 
(Care  of  consulate-general  of  the  United  States,  London.) 

[Indorsement,] 

I  concur  in  this  plan  with  the  exception  of  the  unofficial  fee  to  the  consul  for 
10  final  certificate.     Such  fee  should  be  paid  to  the  United  States  Government  and 

311 


312    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

filionld  bo  large  enough  to  operate  as  a  protective  tariff  on  labor.  In  order  to  be  efl 
tive  it  slioiild  be  equal  at  least  to  the  difference  in  the  price  of  passage  tick 
between  Europe  to  America  and  Europe  to  Australia.  Thousands  come  here  sim 
because  it  is  cheaper  than  to  go  elsewhere. 


H.  J.  SCHULTEIS^ 

Member  Special  Commission^ 


[Copy.*] 


The  Chairman  of  Special  Comisiission, 

United  States  Treasury  Department: 
Sir:  In  compliance  with  the  request  of  your  comraunication,  dated  July  21,  18 
I  have  the  honor  to  reply  to  your  questions  as  follows : 

1.  The  different  steamship  companies  and  their  agencies  and  subagencies  try,i 
as  a  matter  of  their  own  interest,  to  obtain  as  many  emigrants  upon  their  lists 
possible.  Whether  or  not  they  make  use  of  lawful  means  is  a  very  difl&cult  mafc 
to  ascertain.  That  such  have  been  used  to  some  extent  we  learn  once  in  a  w" 
from  newspaper  reports. 

2.  I  can  not  tell  to  what  extent  contract  laborers  are  covertly  engaged  for  expo 
tion  to  the  United  States,  but  I  have  all  reasons  to  suspect  that  a  great  many  peoj 
especially  Polanders  and  Bohemians  and  Hungarians,  are  engaged  under  con 
by  mining  companies,  mostly  of  Pennsylvania.     Since  I  have  taken  charge  of  tl 
consulate  I  have  noticed  that  these  people  are  shipped  for  the  United  States  in 
spring  and  return  in  autumn.     I  have  recognized  the  same  faces,  especially  thoi 
the  men  under  whose  supervision  they  seem  to  travel.     These  people  do  not  ha; 
any  money,  nor  do  they  answer  any  qiiestions  to  strangers,  no  matter  in  what 
guage  they  are  addressed.     They  seem  to  follow  their  leader  blindly.     There  is  a 
one  woman  to  each  crew  of  12  or  18  men,  who,  as  1  am  informed,  works  and  d 
for  them  at  their  place  of  destiny  in  the  United  States. 

It  also  happens  that  farpiers  or  manufacturers  who  have  bought  a  tract  of  land 
the  United  States  for  the  purpose  of  settling  there,  have  taken  over  with  theu 
whole  crew  of  workmen  who  partially  have  been  in  their  employ  previous  to  th 
emigration  to  the  United  States. 

3.  Criminals  and  paupers  have  been  shipped  to  the  United  States  to  my  knowled 
by  the  benevolent  associations  whose  leader  in  one  case  has  been  a  Governm- 
oiticer.  To  what  extent  this  is  done,  I  am  unable  to  tell.  The  most  effective  syst 
of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  I  think  would  be  to  compel  the  emigrants 
get  from  their  governmenc  authorities  a  certificate  of  good  conduct  and  to  instrc 
^teamshil1  companies  and  their  agencies  and  their  subagencies  not  to  sell  a  ticl 
for  any  emigrant  unless  he  has  such  certificate.  The  government  autkorities  w, 
would  be  willing  to  give  to  an  undesirable  citizen  a  passport  in  order  to  get  rid 
him  would  h(isitate  very  much  to  give  to  the  same  person  a  certificate  of  good 
(cenship  if  aware  that  said  person  has  been  in  coullict  with  the  laws  of  the  coun 
as  far  as  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives  are  concerned  I  think  the  pn 
ent  system  of  examination  by  the  steamship  surgeons  is  inadequate  for  the  folio 
>n^  reasons : 

4.  With  due  regard  to  the  theoretical  knowledge  of  the  corps  of  steamship  surgeo: 
it  is  well  known  that  most  of  them  are  young  and  inexperienced  men,  who  consic 
their  position  only  a  temporary  one,  as  their  salary  is  limited,  and  there  is  no  expec 
tion  of  glory  or  promotion  connected  with  it,  and  for  an  ambitious  physician  it  isoi 
a  stepping-stone  to  higher  aims.  For  this  reason  they  will  hardly  remain  on  boa 
a  steamship  long  enough  to  become  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  duties  and  resp 
sibilities  imposed  upon  them.  The  steamship  surgeons  at  this  port  examine  the 
grants  an  hour  before  they  leave  the  city  to  go  on  board  the  steamers.  The  va 
of  an  examination  of  from  500  to  1,500  passengers  in  so  short  a  time  is  clear  to  ev( 
experienced  physician  or  layman.  During  one  winter  season  I  have  seen  this  exM 
nation  take  place  in  a  large  hall  illuminated  by  one  or  two  lamps,  and  by  a  tempe: 
ture  of  10°  below  zero.  My  proposition  is  that  the  United  States  appoints  one 
two  surgeons  at  every  port  of  emigration  whose  duty  shall  be  to  examine  under  t 
supervision  of  the  United  States  consul  all  emigrants,  and  reject  all  idiots,  insai 
and  other  defectives,  and  such  afflicted  with  loathsome  or  contagious  disease,  and 
there  is  the  least  suspection  from  the  appearance  of  any  one  to  be  afflicted  with  cc 
sumption  or  heart  disease,  to  make  a  close  individual  examination  and  reject  h' 
afflicted.  The  expense  of  such  examinations  is  nothing  compared  with  the  bene 
derived  therefrom. 

5.  In  Germany  emigration  of  able-bodied  desirable  citizens  is  not  encouraged 
law,  but  rather  hindered  as  far  as  possible,  and  every  obstacle  is  thrown  into  thl 
way.     The  emigrants  have  to  prove  that  they  are  not  indebted  to  any  one,  that 
taxes  are  paid,  and  that  they  have  strictly  complied  with  the  military  law,  and 
leaving  have  not  violated  any  contract  with  other  parties. 


*The  following  consular  comtnunications  are  worthy  of  careful  perusal  and  explain  themselv 
They  represent  ine  important  immigration  points  in  Europe. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    313 

6.  Criminals  and  panpers  from  other  countries  are  promptly  sent  back  to  tlie  coun- 
V  where  they  came  from  by  the  German  authorities. 

7.  See  inclosed  ordinance  for  regulating  the  couveyauce  of  ships'  passengers  to 
ausatlantic  countries. 

8.  I  do  not  know. 

9.  Neither  do  I  know  any  points  in  the  matter  of  emigration  on  which  the  German 
tovemment  would  likely  cooi)erate  with  the  United  States.  It  is  clear  that  the 
erman  Government  is  anxious  to  retain  its  good  and  valuable  citizens  and  likes  to 
6  its  invalid  ones  depart  to  other  countries. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Hugo  M.  Starkloff, 
United  States  Consul,  Bremen. 


[Copy.) 
)nN  B.  Weber, 

Chairman: 
Sir:  In  reply  to  your  circular  letter  under  date  of  21st  July,  1891, 1  have  the  honor 
submit  the  following  re])ly : 

In  answer  to  the  first  question,  I  have  to  say  that  I  do  not  think  emigration  to  the 
iiited  States  is  in  any  way  affected  by  the  steamship  companies  or  their  agents  in 
is  consular  district. 

In  answer  to  second  question,  I  know  of  no  contract  laborers  being  exported  from 
is  district. 

In  answer  to  third  que&tion,  I  can  only  say  that  I  have  no  knowledge  of  any  socie- 
as  here  aiding  persons  of  the  class  of  which  you  speak  to  emigrate  to  the  United 
i-ates. 

In  answer  to  fourth  question,  I  beg  to  express  my  humble  opinion  and  say  that  it 
•ould  be  practicable  and  of  good  service  to  the  United  States  to  require  all  emi- 
lants  to  obtain  emigration  certificates  from  the  United  States  consul.  It  would 
iist  the  United  States  Government  nothing,  for  the  cost  of  obtaining  said  certificate 
ould  be  very  properly  paid  by  the  emigrant.  In  this  connection  I  beg  to  observe 
lat  should  the  United  States  consul  be  empowered  to  issue  these  certificates  many 
i^rsons  wholly  unfit  to  receive  domicile  in  the  United  States  would  be  kept  at  home. 
)ur  committee  need  not  over  concern  itself  about  citizens  of  this  country  going  to 
iierica  owing  to  military  service ;  the  German  Government  will  attend  to  this  mat- 
r. 

Jn  answer  to  fifth  question,  I  have  to  observe  that  I  know  of  no  law  or  regulation 
liich  hinders  emigration. 

Ju  answer  to  sixth  question,  I  have  to  inform  you  that  criminals  and  paupers  are 
once  sent  to  the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance. 
I  cau  not  comply  with  the  request  you  make  in  question  seventh. 
In  answer  to  eighth  question,  I  have  to  observe  that  it  is  a  very  important  question 
ihich  you  put.  It  would  be  hard  indeed  to  submit  such  proof  as  a  court  of  law 
ould  consider  sufficient,  and  yet  your  committee  and  our  people  in  America  know 
'at  hundreds  of  emigrants  go  to  America  when  they  cau  not  go  elsewhere,  which 
eans  of  course  that  Europe  is  unloading  undesirable  persons  on  us.  The  United 
ates  has  played  the  ''asylum  for  all  nations"  long  enough,  and  in  my  humble 
)inion  the  time  has  arrived  for  emigration  to  be  decreased,  if  not  suspended  alto- 
ither,  at  least  for  a  decade. 

In  answer  to  question  number  nine,  I  have  only  to  observe  that  I  do  not.  This 
lestion  implies  a  condition  of  affairs  that  do  not  exist.  My  answer  to  question 
;;ht  shows  that  any  arrangement  which  this  Government  might  enter  into  with  the 
nited  States  would  certainly  be  such  an  arrangement  as  would  not  be  prejudicial 
this  Government  in  the  premises. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

Joseph  Edward  Hayden, 
United  States  Consul,  Breslau. 


fCopy.] 

Consulate  op  the  United  States, 

Palermo,  Italy,  October  13,  1891. 
Gentlfmen:  Having  only  within  the  last  few  days  returned  from  a  two  months' 
ave  of  absence,  during  whicli  time  your  cojnmunication  of  July  21  has  lain  upon 
v  table,  I  now  hasten  to  give  you  such  information  as  1  have  been  able  to  acquire, 
may  be  stated  that  prior  to  the  notice  of  the  appointment  of  youi"  commission  Z 


314    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

had  endeavored  to  learn  all  the  circumstances  of  emigration  and  emigrants  : 
this  place,  and  to  that  end  had  addressed  certain  inquiries  to  the  prefect  of  Pale; 
the  questore  (chief  of  police),  and  the  agents  of  various  steamship  companies, 
have  heen  unahle  to  learn  anything  in  connection  therewith,  and  it  may  he  fur 
stated  that  all  emigrants  from  Sicily  go  to  Naples  hy  local  steamers,  and  there 
hark  for  their  destination,  and  the  steamship  agents  have  shielded  themsel 
hind  this  fact.  The  following  is  suhmitted  on  the  hest  information  obtainahle 
all  sources : 

1.  No  inducements  are  known  to  he  extended  hy  agents  of  steamship  comp 
except  the  arguments  indulged  in  by  every  agent,  of  higher  wages,  more  e 
ment,  better  living,  etc.,  in  the  United  States. 

2.  Contract  labor  is  not  engaged  openly,  and,  if  covertly,  in  such  a  manner  a8| 
not  been  detected. 

3.  The  class  of  persons  mentioned  in  this  interrogatory  are  never  aided  financi 
by  the  Government,  nor  are  they  encouraged  to  emigrate  except  as  they  ma; 
facilitated  in  obtaining  passports  by  the  authorities. 

4.  Unquestionably  it  would  be  practicable,  and  the  most  wholesome  regula 
in  my  opinion,  to  apply  a  system  of  compulsory  examination  of  intending  emi^ 
by  American  consuls,  and  that  no  immigrant  should  be  permitted  to  land  m 
United  States  in  the  absence  of  a  consular  certificate  as  to  such  examination  y 
approval  thereof.  The  cost  of  such  a  system  would  necessarily  vary  accordin 
the  circumstances  of  each  consular  district.  At  this  place,  where  the  provini 
large  and  the  people  cai)ahle  of  more  deception  than  any  other  place  on  eartKl 
could  not  be  properly  done  at  a  less  expense  than  $2,000  per  annum.  An  ex 
tion  at  the  consulate  except  as  to  age,  etc.,  would  rarely  be  of  practical  benefit, 
should  be  made  by  a  person  employed  for  the  purpose  at  the  houses  of  inten^| 
emigrants,  which  in  this  district  are  largely  in  the  interior.  In  reality,  the  majo: 
of  emigrants  from  this  district  are  from  the  rural  districts,  but  they  live  &' 
wholly  in  small  towns  and  hamlets;  and  from  these  small  towns  in  the  interior  e™ 
nate  a  large  majority  of  Sicilian  crimes  and  criminals.  Each  intending  emigi|' 
must  obtain  from  the  tribunale  penale  (criminal  court)  of  the  province  in  wi' 
he  lives  a  certificate  that  there  is  no  criminal  charge  against  him,  which  must  t 
he  presented  to  the  questore,  who  issues  to  him  a  passport,  and  no  one  is  permit 
to  embark  on  board  ship  for  emigration  in  the  absence  of  this  passport. 

The  effect  of  the  local  requirement  ass  to  passport  is  destroyed  by  persons  \ 
senting  themselves  for  certificates  under  assumed  names,  the  record  examined 
that  name,  no  charge  of  course  found,  and  the  certificate  granted,  and  by  this  me 
criminals  of  the  deepest  dye  obtain  certificates  as  well  as  those  persons  whose  ct 
acters  are  really  good.  It  is  also  believed  that  in  order  to  free  the  communitj' 
notoriously  had  characters  the  authorities  issue  such  certificates  under  the  assuro 
name,  even  though  the  person  applying  is  well  known.  In  this  the  consular  exa 
nation  is  most  essential  for  the  reason  thatexisting  local  requirements  do  notprev 
the  emigration  of  criminals,  as  is  unfortunately  too  well  known,  and  has  no  efl' 
whatever  on  the  old  and  decrepit  class  nor  those  afflicted  with  contagious  or  loa- 
some  diseases,  the  latter  of  which  prevail  to  an  alarming  extent.  The  province 
Palermo  is  hy  far  the  largest  in  Sicily,  embracing  a  popuhxtion  at  the  last  censuj 
699,151,  all  of  whom  must  obtain  certificates  at  the  tribunale  in  this  city,  bni 
the  birth  of  each  person  is  recorded,  and  if  married  that  certificate  is  also  record 
each  intending  emigrant  should  be  required  to  present  his  certificate  of  birth  s 
marriage  to  the  Qonsul  under  such  regulations  as  he  may  prescribe  for  the  purpc; 
of  identification  and  locating  his  residence;  then  the  consular  employ^  could^ 
once  go  to  his  place  of  residence,  making  his  investigation  there,  thus  learning 
real  person  and  actual  character. 

Then,  again,  this  would  bring  all  intending  emigrants  before  the  consul,  whl 
would  disclose  all  instances  of  old  age,  decrepitude,  and  many  of  the  diseased,  wh< 
go  to  make  up  the  uudesirables.  Such  examinations  throughout  the  district  woi 
he  the  cause  of  the  expense,  but,  while  the  treasury  fees  collected  at  this  consul; 
are  far  in  excess  of  that  amount,  the  question  of  expense  should  not  he  conside^ 
for  a  moment  if  the  desired  effect  could  be  realized. 

5.  Emigration  or  immigration  is  only  intended  to  be  hindered  by  the  regulati( 
established  within  the  military  age,  viz,  between  the  ages  of  21  and  39  years. 

6.  Alien  criminals  are  treated  in  all  respects  as  resident  criminals,  while  al^ 
paupers  are  unknown.  Those  who  are  likely  to  become  paupers  never  come  to  t' 
country,  the  home  of  pauperism. 

7.  The  passport  requirement  above  mentioned  is  intended  to  prevent  those  fi*^ 
emigrating  between  the  ages  of  21  and  39  years,  but  in  anticipation  of  military  mi 
ice,  the  passport  is  never  granted  to  able-bodied  young  men  between  the  ages 
15  and  21  years,  in  order  that  no  young  man  may  escape  military  service. 

8.  Nothing  of  the  nature  of  inquiry  number  eight  obtains  here. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    315 

9.  The  Italian  Government  would  not  cooperate  with  that  of  the  United  States  in 
I  he  restriction  or  regulation  of  emigration  except  in  so  far  as  it  concerns  her  able- 
I  lodied  men  between  the  ages  of  15  and  39  years ;  and  as  Italy  would  be  unwilling  to 
,  'art  with  her  subjects  during  the  age  of  man's  greatest  usefulness  as  workmen  no 
,;  eason  is  known  why  a  cooperative  system  would  be  of  interest  to  our  Government, 
ud  it  therefore  follows  that  the  interests  of  the  two  Governments  would  clash,  for 
he  two  essential  reasons  that  Italy  would  not  willingly  lose  those  of  her  people 
,'ho  would  make  useful  citizens  in  the  United  States  and  that  she  would  only  con- 
L'ut  to  give  up  to  us  such  of  her  subjects  as  in  no  event  should  be  permitted  to  put 
jot  on  American  soil. 
i\         I  have  the  honor  to  be,  yours  very  truly,  "^ 

i  Horace  C.  Pugh, 

United  States  Consul. 
Hon.  Chairman  and  Members  of  the 

Special  Emigration  Commission, 

Washiugtont  D,  C» 


II 


ADDENDA. 

Official  Protest  of  the  organized  Canadian  Workingmkn  against  the 
British  Immigration  Policy. 

[See  Report  on  Emigration  and  Immigration  (foreigners).     Page  227.    Ordered  to  be  printed  by  the 
House  of  Commons,  July  27, 1888.] 

[Paper  handed  in  by  Mr.  Kobert  Giffen.  Extract  from  the  Toronto  Evening  MaiL  Saturday,  June  2, 

1888.] 


LEGISLATIVE  COMMITTEE'S  VIEWS  ON  PAUPER  IMMIGRATION. 

At  15  minutes  after  8  o'clock  last  evening,  Mr.  Henry  Parr,  president  of  the  Trades 
and  Labor  Council,  tapped  the  gavel  on  his  desk  and  called  the  meeting  to  order. 
The  first  order  of  business  was  calling  the  roll  of  officers,  and  the  operation  revealed 
that  there  was  quite  a  number  of  absentees.  Mr.  George  Beales,  on  behalf  of  the 
credential  committee,  reported  favorabh'  on  the  following  credentials: 

Mr.  J.  Jordan,  to  represent  "  Hub  "  Assembly  of  Carriage  Builders,  No.  7311,  Knights 
of  Labor;  Charles  Barton,  delegate,  to  represent  the  Harness  Makers'  Union;  and 
Messrs.  William  J.  Hackett,  I.  J.  Shanbrook,  and  James  Runkia,  to  represent  the 
Toronto  Pressmen's  Union. 

The  minutes  were  read,  and  roll  of  delegates  was  called. 

Next  business,  according  to  order,  was  the  calling  of  the  roll  of  delegates.  One 
member  wanted  to  have  this  order  susj^ended,  but  his  motion  was  opposed  on  the 
ground  that  many  labor  organizations  were  unable  to  ascertain  if  their  delegates 
attended  the  meetings  of  the  council,  and  was  finally  lost. 

LEGISLATIVE   COMMITTEE'S  REPORT. 

Mr.  D.  J.  O'Donoghue  submitted  the  legislative  report,  as  follows: 

Your  legislative  committee  in  this  their  first  report  for  June,  1888,  beg  leave  to 
submit:  That  owing  to  the  serious  disturbance  of  the  labor  market,  in  a  manner  de- 
cidedly detrimental  to  those  who  live  by  wages,  and  through  the  presence  of  num- 
bers of  idle  men,  mostly  immigrants,  many  old  citizens,  as  well  as  sterling  members 
of  Toronto's  labor  organizations,  have  been  lately  obliged  to  betake  themselves  to 
the  United  States,  with  the  main  object  of  securing  that  employment  denied  them 
in  Canada,  except  at  wages  below  a  living  rate.  This  is  noted  as  but  another  of  the 
many  evils  arising  out  of  the  existing  Canadian  immigration  system,  which  will  not 
take  cognizance  of  or  prevent  any  scheme  which  aims  at  the  landing  in  Canada  of 
any  class  of  people,  however  unsuitable. 

Your  committee  are  solicitous  as  to  the  future,  despite  the  impression  sought  to  be 
conveyed  by  the  remarks  of  the  minister  of  agriculture  in  his  place  in  the  House  of 
Commons  recently,  because  they  realize  that  there  is  more  than  what  appears  on  the 
surface  concerning  Canada  in  the  provision  of  the  imperial  (Great  Britain)  local 
Government  bill  which  provides : 

''66.  (1)  The  county  council  may,  from  time  to  time,  with  the  consent  of  the  local 
Government  board,  borrow,  on  the  security  of  the  county  fund,  and  of  any  revenues 
of  the  council,  or  on  either  such  fund  or  revenues,  or  any  part  of  the  revenues,  such 

sums  as  may  be  required  for  the  following  purposes,  or  any  of  them ;  that  is  to  say : 

*****  *  * 

"(/)  For  making  advances  (which  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  make),  to  any 
person  or  bodies  of  persons,  corporate  or  unincori^orate,  in  aid  of  emigration  of' 
inhabitants  of  the  couuty,  where  there  is  reasonable  cause  to  believe  that  the 
amount  so  advanced  will  be  repaid  by  the  emigrants,  and  that  either  with  or  with- 
out any  guaranty  for  such  repayment  from  any  local  authority  in  the  county,  the 
government  of  any  colony,  or  any  other  person  or  persons/' 

317 

H.  Ex.  37 50 


18    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


■'"I 


Voiir  committee  conclude  that  the  introduction  of  the  foregoing  clause  in  the  111.'! 
W&8  lor  the  implied  purpose  of  unloading  upon  the  colonies  classes  not  wanted  ii; 
Great  Britain,  and  whose  presence  in  Canada  would  work  positive  injury  in  mor<] 
ways  than  one.  In  support  of  this  contention,  your  committee  quote  section  11  o, 
clause  66  of  the  said  bill,  which  says,  "  The  provisions  of  this  section,  which  author 
izesthe  advances  in  aid  of  the  emigration  of  inhabitants  of  the  county,  and  bor  ' 
rowing  for  those  advances,  shall  extend  td  the  councils  of  boroughs  mentioned  ii . 
the  fourth  schedule  to  this  act;"  and  which  boroughs  your  committee  find  to  be  ven  j 
large  centers  of  population,  namely,  Liverpool,  Birmingham,  Manchester,  Leeds , 
Sheffield,  Bristol,  Bradford,  Nottingham,  Kingston-on-Hull,  and  Newcastle-on  Tyne 
London  is  provided  with  like  power  under  the  general  provisions  of  the  measure. 

Your  committee  recommend  that  your  body  place  upon  record  its  unqualified  op  ( 
position  to  the  landing  in  Canada  of  any  people  sent  to  its  shores  under  the  provi. 
sions  of  the  said  act,  as  well  as  its  protest  against  the  Government  of  Canada  at  anj 
time  assuming  the  liability  referred  to  on  account  of  money  advanced  to  emigrants  i 
and  that  certified  copies  of  the  action  of  your  body  on  this  subject  be  forwarded  tt  j 
the  dominion  minister  of  agriculture,  the  secretary  of  state  for  Canada,  and  hii 
excellency  the  governor-general,  f 

Your  committee,  keeping  in  mind  the  destitution  and  wants  of  the  poor  immigranti 
at  the  immigTation  sheds  a  short  time  since,  and  to  whom  the  dominion  agent  in  tbi, 
city  could  give  little  or  no  relief  by  way  of  food  or  otherwise,  are  of  opinion  tha 
had  the  sum  paid  this  official  last  year  as  traveling  expenses  ($1,355.75 — he  mus 
have  traveled  extensively,  and  have  furnished  vouchers  for  the  details)  been  rotaine( 
for  reasonable  expenditure,  as  in  the  case  of  the  poor  immigrants  referred  to, 


\ 


would  have  been  money  honestly  as  well  as  judiciously  applied.  That  the  Domiaiai 
Government  became  suddenly  very  economical  in  the  matter  of  meals  for  immigrant 
is  best  illustrated  by  the  fact  that  in  1887  no  less  a  sum  than  $18,057.02  was  paid  on , 
for  meals  alone  for  immigrants  at  Quebec,  Montreal,  Ottaw^a,  Kingston,  Halifax 
Amherst,  Campbellton,  Truro,  St.  John,  Trois  Pistoles,  Winnipeg,  Brandon,  Hamilton 
Owen  Sound,  and  St.  Martin's  Junction,  but  not  one  cent  Avas  spent  in  Toronto  fa 
this  purpose.  Your  committee  assume  this  was  due  to  the  fact  that  Toronto  wa  • 
duly  attended  to  in  the  patronage  of  Agent  Donaldson's  $1,355.75  for  traveling  ex^ 
penses. 

Your  committee  observe  with  pleasure  that  the  persistency  of  your  body  in  tb 
past  in  calling  public  attention  to  the  abuses  and  injustice  of  our  immigration  sys 
tem,  and  the  positive  injury  certain  to  arise  therefrom  in  time,  has  resulted  in  secur 
ing  the  attention  of  newspapers  of  note  and  influence,  both  in  Canada  and  in  Grea 
Britain,  an  attention  corroborative  of  the  wisdom  of  your  position  on  this  subject. 

Your  committee  having  in  mind  the  many  documents  of  recommendation  to  a  larg 
contractor  and  emjiloyer  of  labor  in  Toronto,  and  whose  name  appeared  to  be  studi 
ously  omitted  in  every  one  possessed  by  the  duped  immigrants  who  arrived  in  thi ; 
city  recently,  submit  for  the  public  information  the  following  paragraph  from  alat 
issue  of  the  Irish  Times : 

''Emigration  to  Canada. — Messrs.  Sewell  and  Crowther,  of  18  Cockspur  street. 
SW.,  the  well-known  emigration  agents,  write  to  contradict  the  statements  that  hav 
lately  appeared  in  the  newspapers  to  the  effect  that  the  labor  market  in  Canada  i 
overstocked.  They  have  been  in  communication  with  those  best  qualified  to  speal 
on  the  subject,  Mr.  John  Lucas  and  Mr.  Lionel  Yorke,  of  Toronto,  presidents,  re 
spectively,  of  the  Builders'  and  Contractors'  Associations  in  that  city,  who  state  tha, 
there  is  urgent  need  of  skilled  laborers,  and  particularly  of  stonecutters,  stone-masons, 
and  bricklayers,  whose  wages  are,  respectively.  Is.  id.,  l8..2fd.,  and  1«.  3^^.  per  houi 
Much  delay  has  indeed  been  caused  in  the  building  trade  in  Canada  by  the  grea 
scarcity  of  skilled  labor." 

Your  committee  have  no  hesitation  in  asserting  that  were  the  truth  expunged  fror 
the  foregoing  quotations,  in  so  far  as  it  refers  to  an  "urgent  need  for  skilled  labor 
ers,"  or  that  "much  delay  has  indeed  been  caused  in  Canada  by  the  great  scarcity  o 
skilled  labor,"  the  paragraph  would  not  be  one  word  shorter  than  it  is.  The  fact  i , 
repeated,  though  it  must  be  that  there  are  five  men  offering  in  the  trades  mentions 
to  the  one  job  of  work  obtainable  even  at  this  usually  busiest  time  of  the  year. 

Your  committee  recommend,  in  face  of  the  unrestricted  publication  of  deliberate! 
untruthful  statements  of  the  above  character,  and  through  which  many  poor  an' 
other  people  are  led  into  untold  misery  and  destitution  in  tliis  country,  that  th 
Dominion  Government  be  petitioned  to  enact  such  laws  as  will  render  the  partie 
thereto,  if  citizens  of  Canada,  liable  to  criminal  or  such  other  prosecution  as  may  b 
commensurate  with  the  gravity  of  the  offense,  and  that  the  Government  of  Canad 
solicit  the  cooperation  of  the  Imperial  Government  in  a  like  direction. 

Your  committee,  in  quoting  from  the  bulletin  of  the  Ontario  Bureau  of  Industriee 
dated  May  15,  1888,  as  to  labor  and  wages,  in  so  far  as  the  same  refers  to  agricul 
tural  laborers,  desire  to  remark,  for  the  information  of  that  class  of  intending  imm) 
grants,  that  the  summary  is  based  altogether  on  the  reports  of  farmers  themselves  . 


t 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    319 

and  that  it  is  not  to  be  assumed  for  a  moment  that  employment  is  easily  obtained 
at  the  ligures  which  they  give  as  a  prevailing  rate  of  wages.  The  bulletin  summary 
says  that  '^  with  the  excei)tion  of  a  few  limited  localities,  farmers  have  been  able  to 
obtain  all  the  help  required  for  spring  work.  *  *  *  The  number  employed,  how- 
ever, is  far  smaller  than  usual,  and  this  may  be  explained  by  the  fact  that  the  farm- 
ers, in  the  majority  of  cases,  are  endeavoring,  with  the  assistance  of  labor-saving 
macliinery,  to  do  more  of  the  work  themselves,  the  season  just  past  being  a  very  try- 
ing one  from  a  financial  point  of  view;"  and  that,  as  to  the  average  wages,  '^the 
rate  is  $3  per  month  less  than  five  years  ago." 

Your  committee,  realizing  a  great  danger  in  the  continuance  or  extension  of  the 
scheme  indicated  in  the  following  paragraph  from  a  city  paper  of  a  recent  date,  desire 
to  draw  the  special  attention  of  your  body  to  the  same,  with  the  object  of  taking 
proper  remedy.  This  paragraph  says  that:  ''Last  Friday  morning  about  1  o'clock  a 
reporter  was  at  the  Union  station  when  a  train  from  the  West  came  in,  among  its 
passengers  being  35  Italians.  They  could  scarcely  speak  a  word  of  English,  and  when 
asked  where  they  were  going  produced  a  letter  addressed  to  James  Palraa,  145  Eliza- 
beth street.  The  reporter  saw  Mr.  Palma,  who  is  an  Italian,  and  he  explained  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  sending  to  Buffalo,  Chicago,  and  other  United  States  cities,  for  Ital- 
ians to  work  in  and  around  Toronto.  He  had  just  now  engaged  65  to  work  on  the 
Grand  Trunk  Railway  double  track  at  $1.25  and  $1  per  day.  Mr.  Palma  expressed 
his  readiness  and  ability  to  supply  city  employers  with  any  number  of  men  to  do  all 
kinds  of  laboring  work  at  these  wages." 

Your  committee  are  also  justified  in  recommending  that  it  be  an  instruction  to 
your  municipal  committee  to  make  necessary  inquiries  as  to  the  sanitary  condition 
of  145  Elizabeth  street,  as  well  as  one  or  two  other  places,  in  which  people  of  the 
nationality  referred  to  live  in  St.  John's  ward,  with  the  end  that,  if  not  found 
satisfactory,  the  attention  of  the  proper  health  officer  be  drawn  thereto. 

Your  committee  beg  to  report  also,  that  by  appointment  they  had  an  interview 
with  Hon.  A.  S.  Hardy,  provincial  secretary  and  acting  attorney  general,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  goods  manufactured  in  the  Mercer  reformatory  for  a  city  wholesale  house. 
They  were  courteously  received  and  listened  to  in  detailing  their  mission.  In  reply, 
the  honorable  gentleman  said,  in  effect,  that  this  particular  phase  of  the  subject 
was  new  to  him,  and  that  he  would  take  an  early  opportunity  of  consulting  with 
the  inspector  of  prisons  and  asylums  on  the  matter,  with  the  object  of,  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable, meeting  the  desire  of  your  body. 

Your  committee,  with  the  object  of  showing  the  source  from  which  most  opposi- 
tion to  the  efforts  of  your  body  in  seeking  the  abolition  of  the  existing  dominion  im- 
migration policy  emanates,  desire  to  draw  your  attention  to  some  remarks  on  the 
subject  by  an  obscure  little  sheet,  by  courtesy  called  a  newspaper,  published  in  Ber- 
lin, Waterloo  County.  This  ^'News,"  in  dealing  with  the  subject,  says,  ''A  good  con- 
science and  a  consistent  public  and  private  life,  should  have  some  consideration  with 
our  Grit  and  Tory  leaders.  We  believe  that  in  the  long  run,  under  all  circum- 
stances, honesty  is  the  best  policy,  and  it  is  hard  for  us  to  believe  that  both  parties 
in  the  present  anti-immigration  policy  would  not  be  better  for  going  straight  ahead 
in  what  is  right,  and  thus  advance  the  interests  of  the  country,  no  matter  how  many 
may  howl  against  it."  The  News  figures  in  last  year's  Dominion  public  accounts 
for  the  sum  of  $143.18,  for  advertising.  To  such  a  sheet  that  sum  is  quite  an  item  of 
income,  and  hence  its  "howl"  for  a  continuance  of  the  system  under  which  it  is 
secured,  and  so  it  is  with  many  others  who  are  troubled  with  "honest  consciences" 
on  the  subject.  * 

Your  committee,  in  conclusion,  beg  to  return  thanks  to  Mr.  H.  Broadhurst,  M.  p., 
London,  England,  for  his  courtesy  and  promptitude  in  forwarding  a  copy  of  the 
Imperial  local  government  bill  for  the  use  of  your  conunittee,  as  well  as  to  Mr.  C. 
Boyce,  of  the  House  of  Commons  at  Ottawa,  for  his  kindness  in  sending  your  com- 
mittee copies  of  valuable  parliamentary  papers. 

Charles  March,  Chairman. 

June  1, 1888. 

Mr.  O'Donoghne  added  that  they  had  written  a  long  communication  each  to  Mr. 
Bradlaugh,  m.  p.,  and  Mr.  Labouchere,  m.  p.,  England,  with  reference  to  the  pauper 
immigration  question,  with  a  view  to  having  the  question  up  in  the  English  House 
of  Commons;  also  to  the  Dominion  Government  in  accordance  with  the  instructions 
given  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  council. 

Mr.  Andrew  McCormick,  referring  to  the  item  that  appeared  in  the  public  accounts 
of  $1,355.75  to  Mr.  Donaldson  for  traveling  expenses,  said  that  Mr.  Donaldson  must 
have  taken  several  trips  to  Jamaica.  Mr.  George  Beales  and  J.  Booth,  of  the  Builders' 
Laborers,  said  that  their  union  was  taking  on  members  of  the  other  unions  every 
week  that  had  to  tak^  laboring ;  stone  cutters,  bricklayers,  and  all  the  other  trades 
were  represented. 


320 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


Mr.  Rose,  of  the  Amalgamated,  indorsed  the  remarks  of  the  preceding  speakers 
the  Government's  policy  of  immigration. 

Mr,  WTialen,  of  the  Painters'  Union,  said  he  knew  of  a  young  man  who  had  heei 
walking  the  streets  of  the  city  for  six  weeks  without  work. 

Mr.  Cannon  said  he  thought  that  something  should  be  done  to  punish  those  wh( 
falsely  represented  the  state  of  the  Canadian  labor  market. 

Mr.  Thomas  Webb,  of  the  Builders'  Laborers'  Union,  said  that  he  noticed  by  th( 
morning  papers  that  the  Sardinian  had  arrived  with  863  steerage  passengers.  He  ex- 
pected that  500  of  these  would  be  dumped  down  in  this  city.  He  had  been  arounc 
to  a  number  of  jobs  in  the  city,  and  saw  that  almost  all  the  laborers  were 'strangers 
that  the  old  haiids  were  scarce,  and  that  a  further  investigation  disclosed  that  th< 
were  walking  the  streets  out  of  work.  Something  should  be  done  to  keep  Itali: 
from  being  imported  from  the  United  States  under  contract,  and  taking  the  brej 
out  of  the  mouths  of  the  citizens.  The  United  States  would  not  admit  for  ripe  con- 
tract labor,  and  he  considered  that  something  should  be  done  to  put  a  stop  to  it  in 
Canada. 

It  was  then  moved,  and  carried,  that  the  legislative  committee's  report  be  adopted., 

General  Statement  op  Emigration  in  1889. 

An  account  of  the  numbers,  naiiovalities,  and  destinalions  of  passengers  leaving  the  United 
Kingdom  for  places  out  of  Europe  in  18S9,  in  vessels  under  the  passengers  acts;  including 
also  passengers  for  places  out  of  Europe  in  vessels  not  under  the  acts,  as  far  as  the  same 
have  been  recorded. 


Nationality. 


English 

Scotch i... 

Irish 

Total  British  and  Irish. 

Foreigners 

Not  distinguishing 


To 

United 
States. 


93, 307 
17,  567 
57, 897 


168, 771 
69, 792 

i,8:]2 


To  Brit- 
ish Morth 
America. 


22,417 
3,  049 

2,203 


28.  2G9 
9,787 


To  Aus- 
tralasia. 


23. 103 
2,374 
2,817 


28,  294 
540 


To  Cape 

of  Good 

Hope  and 

Natal. 


12,  775 
979 
130 


13, 8S4 

1,758 
29 


To  all 
other 
places. 


11,916 

785 
1,870 


14,  .'577 
1,589 
3, 519 


Total 
1889. 


163,518 
2.S,  354 
64, 923 


253,  795 

83, 466 

5,380 


Summary  of  the  number  of  aliens  (emigrants)  who  arrived  at   the  port   of  Hull  from 
various  ports,  en  route  to  America  via  Liverpool,  from  July  1,  1887,  to  June  30, 1888. 

[See  Govermnent  Report  on  Emigration  and  Immigration  (foroiguers),  p.  311.  by  G.  E.  Moran,  statia-j 

tician  of  homo  oflice.] 


Name  of  port. 


Bergen  and  Stavanger 

Christiania  and  Christiansand 

Dronllieim ■ 

Gothenburg 

Hambf.rg 

Stettin  and  Copenhagen 

Total 


1887. 


July.     August.    September.    October.     November.   Decern 


632 
371 
2,330 
482 
426 


4,440 


227 

670 

294 

2.  321 

4:^0 

574 


4,510 


115 
^14 
295 
2,215 
497 
407 


3,943 


78 
415 
131 
2,  399 
469 
235 


3,727 


34 
193 

73 

1,613 

546 

333 


2,792 


Name  of  port. 


Bergen  and  Stavanger 

Chii-itiania  and  Christiansand 

Drontlieim 

Gothenburg 

Hamburg 

Stettin  aiid  Copenhagen 

Total 


1888. 


January.    February.     March.      April.     May.      June 


10 

85 

1 

326 

356 

37 


815 


252 
220 
832 
486 
274 


2,064 


560 
1.287 

667 
2,934 

342 

256 


6,046 


1,119 

2,634 
740 

7,  680 
728 

2,353 


15,  254 


1,815 
1,748 
6,126 
859 
1,672 


12,  686 


242 
984 
618 
3,413 
840 
533 


6,626 


Tot 


63, 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


321 


Association  for  Preventing  the  Immigration  of  Destitute  Aliens. 

A  PUBLIC  meeting  AT  PRINCE's  HALL,  PICCADILLY,  FRIDAY,  JULY  24,  AT  8  P.  M. 

[The  lUgtit  Eeverend  the  Bishop  of  Bedford  in  the  chair.] 

AGENDA. 

Letters  to  be  read  by  the  secretary. 

The  chainuan'8  openiag  address. 

First  resolutioH:  "That  this  meeting  hereby  protests  against  the  unrestricted 
influx  of  destitute  aliens  into  the  United  Kingdom.'^  Proposed  by  Rt.  Hon.  James 
Lowther,  m.  p.     Seconded  by  Mr.  Sydney  Buxton,  m.  p. 

Second  resolution:  "That  this  meeting  calls  upon  the  Government  to  take  steps 
forthwith  for  the  purpose  of  restricting  the  immigration  of  destitute  aliens  into  the 
United  Kingdom."  Proposed  by  Mr.  O.  V.  Morgan,  M.  p.  Seconded  by  Mr.  R.  G. 
Webster,  m.  p. 

Third  resolution:  "  That  it  is  useless  to  recommend  emigration  as  a  panacea  for 
our  social  evils  until  some  stex>s  have  liist  been  taken  to  check  the  iuliux  of  the  des- 
titute population  of  other  nations."  Proposed  by  Mr.  Arnold  White.  Seconded  by 
Mr.  W.  Mc Arthur,  M.  p. 

Fourth  resolution:  "That  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting  the  unrestricted  immi- 
gration of  destitute  aliens  is  an  evil  seriously  atlecting  T«iie  well-being  of  our  English 
\\orking  classes."  Proposed  by  Mr.  Ben  Tillott  (Docker's  Union).  Seconded  by  Mr. 
S.  H.  Wilson  (Sailors  and  Firemen's  Union),  and  supported  by  the  following  in  the 
order  named:  Mr.  C.  W.  Oldham  (City  of  T,ondon  Labor  Association),  Mr.  J.  O'Con- 
nor (Coal  Porters'  Union),  Mr.  J.  Tauter  (Progressive  Union  of  Caljinet  Makers), 
Mr.  J.  Gaskin  (London  Potters'  Union),  Mr.  J.  Cross  (St.  Helen's  Colliery  Engine- 
men's  Society),  Mr.  C.  R.  W.  Oifen  (Guar<ii  m  of  the  Poor.  Hackney  Union). 

Vote  of  thanks  to  the  chairman.  Proposed  by  Mr.  Guy  l\\m  (Conservative  candi- 
date for  Bedford).  Secou<led  by  Mr.  Oscar  Browning  (Liberal  candidate  for  the 
Norwood  Division  of  Lambeth). 

By  order  of  the  Committee. 

W.  H.  Wllkins, 

Secretary. 


Il    The  Assocla-tion  for  Preventing  the  Immigration  of  Destitute  Aliens, 

[15  &  Arlington  street  SW.] 


1 


vice-pre.sidf.nts. 


The  Duke  of  Abercom. 
The  Dnke  of  Montrose,  K.  T., 
The  Earl  of  Duuraven,  K.  p., 
The  Earl  of  Egmont. 
The  Earl  Ferrers. 


The  Viscount  Strathalla* 
The  Lord  Castletown. 
The  Lord  Siiiilieid,  K.  c.  B., 
Margaret  the  Lady  Sandhurst. 
The  Lady  Dorothy  Nevill. 


THE  executive  COMMITTEE. 


The  Earl  of  Duuraven,  k.  p.,  Chairman. 


The  Rt.  Hon.  Sir  W.  T.  Marriott,  Q.  c,  m.  p. 
The  Hon.  Evelyn  Hubbard. 
The  Hon.  W.  Lowther,  M.  p. 
Colonel  the  Hon.  W.  le  Poer  Trench. 
Gen.  Sir  F.  Fitz  Wygram,  Bart.,  M.  P. 
•Sir  John  Colomb,  K.  c.  M.  G.,  M.  P. 
Mr.  Sydney  Buxton,  m.p. 
Mr.  H.  J.  Cust,  M.  P. 
Col.  H.  Eyre,  m.  p. 
Mr.  J.  Hozier,  m.  p. 
Mr.  Stanley  Iveighton,  M.P. 
Mr.  W.  McArtiiur,  m.  p. 
Mr.  J.  Blundell  Maple,  M.  P. 


Mr.  O.  V.  Morgan,  m.  p. 

Mr.  R.  C.  Munro-Ferguson,  M.P. 

Col.  T.  M.  Sandys,  M.  P. 

Mr.  H.  C.  Stephens,  m.  p. 

Mr.  R.  G.  Webster,  m.  p. 

Mr.  R.  Yerburgh,  m.  p. 

Mr.  Montague  Crackanthorpe,  Q.  C 

Mr.  Arnold  White. 

Mr.  Guy  Pym. 

Mr.  Hugh  Bryane. 

Mr.  Hubert  Crackanthorpa, 

Mr.  W.  H.  Wilkina. 


322    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

''The  Association  for  Preventing?  the  Immigration  of  Destitute  Aliens"  has  "beenj 
formed  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  and  directing  public  opinion  to  the  subject  of 
destitute  immigration,  so  that  legislation  may  be  obtained  from  Parliament  i'or  the^ 
purpose  of  checking  the  evil.     The  main  objects  of  the  Association  are: 

(a)  The  creation  of  a  new  body  of  evidence  to  supplement  the  inadequate  and  in- 
accurate returns  issued  by  the  board  of  trade. 

(b)  The  collection  of  such  information  as  hiay  already  exist  and  the  disseminationi 
of  the  same  in  a  popular  and  readable  form. 

(c)  The  organization  of  a  series  of  meetings  in  the  large  towns  throughout  the 
country,  more  especially  in  the  east  of  London  and  those  great  centers  of  the  popu- 
lation which  are  chiefly  affected  by  this  wholesale  invasion. 

(d)  The  judicious  use  of  the  press — t^at  most  powerful  factor  in  influencing  publics, 
opinion.  v 

The  association  is  entirely  free  from  any  political  or  religious  bias,  nor  is  it  con^' 
nected  with  any  other  movement  which  may  exist  for  dealing  with  the  commercial' 
aspect  of  foreign  competition  in  trade. 

To  show  the  necessity  of  some  such  organization  it  is  estimated  that  at  the  presents 
time  the  influx  of  aliens  into  the  port  of  London  alone  is  upwards  of  400  a  week,  90  p&h 
cent  of  whom  are  in  an  apparently  destitute  condition,  and  tliere  is  every  reason  to  believe^ 
from  a  variety  of  causes,  that  this  number  will  shortly  be  very  largely  augmented. 

By  order. 

W.  H.   WiLKINS, 

iSecretary, 
From  whom  all  further  information  can  be  obtained. 
July,  1891. 


The  following  letter  was  written  by  Mr.  Wilkins  for  me,  disguised  a«  a  pauper, 
under  the  assumed  name  of  George  Smith.  I  did  not  make  us©  of  it  at  the  time, 
although  later,  on  the  society  named,  which  is  quasi-governmental,  assisted  me  as 
an  alien  pauper  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  under  the  assumed  name  of  William 
Scott  (see  page  268).  I  was  the  only  American  in  the  pauper-crowded  room  of  the 
Society  for  the  Relief  of  Foreigners  in  Distress,  which  I  visited  on  two  occasions, 
yet  all  the  ;.pplicants  for  aid  were  expedited  to  the  United  States,  whatever  their  na- 
tionality and  in  spite  of  the  fact  proclaimed  on  their  circulars  that  they  exist  for 
the  purpose  of  assisting  foreigners  to  their  native  laud. 

Association  for  Pre^tenting  the  Immigration  of  Destitute  Aliens, 

15b  Arlington  Street  SW.,  July  S3, 1891. 
Sir:  The  bearer  of  this  letter,  George  Smith,  states  that  he  is  a  native  of  the 
United  States  of  America.     He  is  destitute  and  wisljes  to  return  to  his  own  country. 
Our  association  does  not  support  destitute  aliens;  it  endeavors  to  keep  them  out.    I 
have,  therefore,  directed  him  to  apply  to  yoa. 
Yours,  faithfully, 

W.  W.  Wilkins, 

Stcr&lary, 
Hugh  Bryans,  Esq., 

lOS  Jermyn  Street,  London  SW* 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LAROR  LAWS. 


323 


Ueerage  passengers  landed  at  Barge  Office  during  the  year  1891 
landed  at  the  port  of  Neio  York. 


also  eahin  passengers 


Name  of  ateamsliip  Une. 


"Where  from. 


Agents. 


Cabin. 


Steerage 


iNo.of 
trips. 


lamburg-American  Packet 
Co. 

'^^orth  G  erman  Lloyd 

White  Star  Line 

led  Star  Line 

^unard  Line 

nman  Line 

xenwral  Transatlantic  Co 

Aether! Slid 8- American  Steam 
Navigation  Co. 

Inchor  Line 

JuionLiiie 

Inchor  Line 

^abre  Line 

!}ompanie  Nationale  de  Navi- 
gation. 

l^^etherlands-American  Steam 
Navigation  Co.  | 

Chin  gv alia  Line 

?lorio  Eubatino  Line 

iUan  State  Line 

Jnion  Line ! 

Baltic  Line I 

!f ational  Line j 

!Torth  German  Lloyd 

Miscellaneous ' 


Hamburg. 


Bremen 

Liverpool.. 
Antwerp  .- 
Liverpool-. 

do 

Havre 

HotterdaBtt. 


R.J.  Cortis. 


Mediterranean. 

Liverpool- 

Glasgow 

Mediterranean . 
...do  


Oelrichs  &  Co 

H.  Maitland  Kersey 

Peter  Wright  <fe  Sons 

Vernon  H.  Brown  &  Co. . . 

Petea-  Wright  &  Sons 

A.  F.  Forget 

Fundi,  Edye  &  Co 


Henderson  Brothers 

A.  M.  Underbill 

Henderson  Bros 

James  W.  El  well ... 
Funch,  Edye  &  Co.. 


Amsterdam. 


Copenhagen  ... 
Mediterranean. 

Glasgow 

Hamburg 

Stettin 

Liverpool 

Mediterranean. 


Phelps  Brothers  &  Co 
Austin  Baldwin  <fe  Co 

Funch,  Edye  &.  Co 

E,.  J.  Cortis 

F.  W.J.  Hurst 

Oelrichs  &  Co 


Total. 


11, 016 

16, 629 
13, 193 
5,504 
14, 760 
11,  925 


100 

6,666 

7,  323 

49 

19 


794 

96 

2,256 


1 

58 
1.090 


105, 023 


75,  835 

68,  259 
36, 502 
35,  870 
27,341 
26,111 
25, 842 
25, 439 

17, 410 
17,  300 
15,  082 
14, 134 
9,111 

9,092 

8,763 
8,500 
8,079 
5,795 
5,190 
2,594 
316 
2,745 


445,  290 


119 

123 
52 
52 
61 
48 
52 
47 

35 
46 
46 
26 
11 

24 


21 


964 


Babge  Office^  January  ly  1898* 


John  E.  Moore, 

Landing  Agent, 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Vntwerp,  visit  to : - 19 

boarding  houses  in,  visited 19 

Vrtisan  school  in  Moscow,  Jewish. 54 

Vrtisan  school  in  Minsk 67 

Vbrany  visited  and  described 106 

Yrgentine  Republic,  Jewish  exodus  to 114 

emigrants  to,  interviewed 114 

WizoiKi,  steaanship,  inspection  of 185 

Vdvertisements,  American  railroad,  incite  emig-ration _  248 

ioarding-  houses,  ins | )ectiou  of  at  Liverpool 9 

'hittanir,  steamship,  inspection  of 10 

ioncardi,  Eug-ene,  interview  with 18 

Belgium,  government  of,  reg-ulations  concerning-  emigration 21 

visited  __ _ 19 

Berlin,  visited _ ^ 22 

Jewish  committee  of,  interview  with _ 22 

Business  in  Russia,  how  affected  by  Jewish  exodus  - 46 

Bjalystok,  visited  and  described 84 

wages  in _._ 87 

manufactories  in,  visited 85 

statements  taken  in _ _ 87 

American  citizens  in __ 88 

institutions  visited  in _._ 89 

^E               charitable  loan  association  in _ 89 

f              hospital  in,  visited _ 89 

uda-Pesth,  visited  and  described ._ 103 

schools  in _ 103 

Bartfa  visited,  conditions  described ___ 106 

Berlin,  revisited _ 108 

Sremen ,  visited __, 109 

British  consul-general,  notice  to  emigrants,  Hamburg 112 

Bleichroeder,  G.  v.  British  consul-general,  letter  of 122 

Belgium,  little  emigration  from 215 

Italians  return  from  United  States  via 216 

Boards  of  guardians,  Irish,  assist  emigration _ 251 

numbers  assisted  by _ 252 

Commissioners,  appointment  of 1 

first  session  of 6 

territory  assigned  to 7 

>oss,  Judson  N.,  appointment  of 1 

Consuls  in  Europe,  circular  letter  to. 6 

l^hildren,  pauper,  sent  from  Liverpool 10 

Conference  with  steamship  owners  at  Liverpool _ 12 

Compagnie  Generale  Transatlantique,  interview  with  agent  of 18 

3ohn,  Dr.  H.  M.,  Berlin,  statement  of,  concerning  committee.-. 22 

concerning  aid  to  Jews 27 

Jharlottenburg,  visit  to  depot  lor  Jewish  refugees _ 23 

Conference  with  continental  steamship  com|»anies  arranged  for 24 

Chichkine,  Hon.  Mr.,  interview  with .__ 32 

Committee  in  Moscow,  Jewish.. __ 48 

Cracow  visited _ _ _ ,._  101 

condition  of  Jews  in 101 

artisan  school  in,  visited 102 


326  INDEX. 

Continental  steamship  companies,  conference  with IC 

Cassano,  Prince  de,  conference  with 1( 

Cologne  visited,  statements  concerning  emigration  from _ 1] 

Contract  laborers,  statements  concerning  emigration  of IS 

Criminals,  insane,  etc.,  concerning  aided  emigration  of 

Circular,  issue  of,  by  Continental  Steamship  Company,  after  Bremen  con- 
ference.  - - 1^ 

Census,  pale  of  settlement  of - 1^ 

Cross,  JudsonN.,  report  of  commissioner _ 

resume  of  report  of _ _ 

visit  to  Wales  and  tin  mines If 

Circulars,  American  railroad,  in  Europe _ If 

emigration  incited  by ij 

extracts  from,  inciting  emigration 

Convicts  and  ex-convicts,  forwarding  of,  to  United  States Ij 

forwarded  to  United  States,  how  accomplished-      II 

Children,  pauper,  emigrated  to  British  colonies 

California,  steamship,  inspected  at  Naples __ 

Contract  laborers,  how  secured _ -- 

Commons,  House  of,  testimony  before  -_ . 

Canadian  workmen's  protest  against  emigration 

Dresden,  visit  to  ._ 

Dekshni,  visit  to.- - - — — A 

farming  communities  in 

schools  in ,  visited 

farmers  interviewed  in -.- _._ 

Discharged  prisoners'  aid  societies ,  how  operated 

send  ex-convicts  to  United  States 2j 

traced  in  United  States,  how 

aid  societies,  list  of 2( 

Dunraven,  Earl  of,  remarks  concerning  emigration 27 

European  countries  to  be  visited  by  commissioners _ 

Emigrants,  statements  of,  Liverpool 

inspection  by  consuls  discussed _ 

how  information  is  received  by.. _ 

Emigrant  boarding  houses  visited  in  Liverpool 

Antwerp _ 

Emigrants,  statements  of,  in  Antwerp _. 

]6tap6.  Jews  sent  per 

Eperjes  visited,  and  conditions  described _ _ 10 

Emigrant  boarding  houses  visited  at  Bremen  .._ 10 

Emigrants,  statements  of,  at  Bremen 11 

Hamburg 11 

inspection  of  considered _ 12 

is  consular  inspection  of  practicable 

inspection  of,  letters  of  consul  s  concerning 13 

by  subagents  in  Europe  considered 13 

Emigration  of  Germans  from  Russia _. __      11 

causes  of ,  considered 11 

not  generally  stimulated  by  steamship  companies. __ 12 

statement  concerning  pauper _ 19 

of  poor  children  to  British  Colonies 20 

from  Switzerland, large ___ 21 

from  Naples,  numbers  of  -. 

how  caused 

from  Italy,  statement  concerning __ 

causesof,  Ireland  and  Italy.- _ 240,24 

causes  of 

Emigrants,  Italian,  return  of,  to  Naples.. 

return  of,  from  United  States.. _ 26 

inspection  of  method  suggested 25' 

recommenda  ions  for  inspection  of _ _ 30' 

Foster,  Hon.  Charles,  letter  of  transmissal 

instruction  to  commissioners 

France,  regulations  of,  concerning  emigration .._ 1 

Farming  communities  in  Dekshni  described 8l 

Ekaterinoslav  described It 


INDEX  327 

Page. 

Irming-  communities,  Jewish,  described _.- 80 

of  Leypoon  -._ 81 

Ponashysterz _ 81 

I  Iso  visited , 107 

1  reigners  visiting-  Russia  must  declare  religion 105 

transacting  business  in  Russia  must  be  certified  as  Christians.  165 

llders,  railroad  in  United  States  cause  emigration _  248 

lance,  little  emigration  from. .- 249 

(eat  Britain,  meeting  of  steamship  companies  in 12 

( odno  visited 90 

Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster  ordered  before  Pristav  in..  90 

labor  market  in 90 

poverty  in - 91 

tobacco  factories  visited  in. _ 91 

hospital  in,  visited _ 92 

school  in,  visited- _ 92 

(licia  visited 101 

(raid  visited,  conditions  described 106 

■  (irmans,  exile  of,  from  Russia -  111 

treatment  of,  by  Russian  officials 116 

(  rman  exiles,  statements  of 111 

(I'many,  does  not  assist  emigration 288 

(ascow  visited 211 

interviews  with  steamship  companies  at 211 

contract  labor,  in vestigation  of,  in 234 

11,  Gray,  letter  of  invitation 12 

rsch,  Baron,  association  method  of. 271 

interview  with 15 

letters  of 16 

Dlland,  American  railroad  circulars  in 289 

visit  to 21 

3spital  in  Bjalystok  visited 89 

Grodno  visited 92 

/Dspitals  in  Moscow  visited. 54 

'.  angary  visited _ ._  103 

Lingary,  emigration  from 104 

concerning  conditions  in 105 

imburg,  visit  to 110 

Jewish  committee  in 112 

amburg- American  Steamship  Company,  circular  of... 142 

letter  from 148 

structions,  letter  of ,  to  commissioners 2 

to  commissioners  and  suggestions 8 

valid  casse,  described _ 25 

;natieiT,Gen.,  ordersof  "May  laws" _ 38 

:.spection  of  emigrants,  how  performed _ 137 

amigrants,  ineligible,  return  of  -._ 138 

return  movement  of 140 

eland,  visit  to _ 208 

emigration  from  _._ ._ _ 208 

emigration  from,  not  assisted  by  Government 210 

ispection  of  emigrants,  extract  from  letter  censuring 212 

alians  returning  from  United  States  interviewed 216 

alian  emigrants,  how  inspected  at  Naples 221 

aly,  concerning  emigration  from 222 

social  conditions  in 225 

cause  of  emigration  from _ 227 

proportion  of  criminals  in. 228 

regulations  concerning  emigration  from _ 229 

society  of  Mala  Vita  in :._ 230 

table  of  emigration  from 231 

society  of  San  Raffaele,  objects  of,  in •_ 231 

visit  to __ __  219 

-alian  brokers  and  bankers  incite  emigration 232 

ticket  brokers  and  bankers  in  New  York 251 

ispection  of  emigrants  at  Naples,  how  conaucted... 256 

intending  emigrants  who  should  make 258 


328 


INDEX. 


Italy,  land  laws,  induce  emigration. 

list  of  steamship  ticket  agents  in.- 

steamship  agents  employ  runners  to  induce  emigration 

social  conditions  in - - 

revenue  to,  from  sale  of  passports. _ 

Italian  emigrants  pass  through  Francte  _ 

inducements  offered  to _ 

Interpreters  accompany  Italian  emigrants  to  United  States 

International  postal  money-orders  sent  to  ex- convicts 

Jewish  pale  of  settlement  described 

Jews,  history  of,  in  Russia - 

recent  orders  cencerning,  in  Russia. ._ 

driven  from  hospitals  in  Moscow 

special  tax  on,  for  hospitals  in  M( )SCOW- 

Jewess,  attempted  suicide  of,  in  Moscow 

Jews,  character  of,  driven  from  Moscow __ 

statements  of,  driven  from  Moscow 

imprisonment  of,  in  Miscow.. 

chained  in  Mosco  w,  by  orders _ _ 

Jewish  committee  in  Moscow _._ 

Jews,  interviews  with,  in  Moscow _ _._ 

sent  per  etape,  interviews  with.. 

Jewish  committee  of  Hamburg,  visited 

immigi'ati(  n,  British  con  espondence  concei'ning _. 

Jews,  Russian,  laws  conccrjiing.  abridgement  of 

Russian  laws  concerning  divorce  of 

converted  to  Christianity  leceivo  money  bonus 

law  punishing,  for  worshiping  at  their  own  homes 

law  imposing  special  tax  on 

laws  govering  residence  in  the  pale  of  settlement 

outside  pale  of  settlement 

concerning  passports 

land  can  not  be  sold  to 

leased  to 

land  inherited  by,  must  be  sold 

can  not  manage  estates  for  other  persons 

laws  afifecting  commercial  rights  of 

regulating  sale  of  intoxicants  by.. 

forbidding  mining  by 

concerning  industrial  pursuits -.. ._ 

prohibiting  employment  of  in  civil  service _ 

regulating  repre^en  tation 

concerning  military  service  of 

legal  procedure- _ ' 

punishments  of  .- 

foreign,  inheriting  land  mustsell  same 

not  permitted  to  reside  in  Russia _.- 

ukase  expelling,  from  Russia - -_. 

obligation  to  leave  Russia,  form  of 

certificate  of  Board  of  Trade  to 

required  to  obtain  leave  to  go  away  from  Russia  _.- 

Russian  passport  to .- 

order  of  expulsion 

Jew,  order  of  expulsion  of  legal  resident 

passport  to,  changed  to  order  expeling --. 

legalizing  residence  in  Russia  changed  to  order  exp.^lling 

changed  to  order  expelling 

legalizing  residence  changed  to  order  of  expulsion  

transit  passport  to 

Jewish,  farming  communities  of,  described 

Colonization  Association ..._ 

Jews  in  Russiaj  condition  of - _ - 

Kompster,  Dr.  Walter,  appointment  of - --- 

Liverpool,  visit  of  Commissioners  to - 

boarding  houses  for  emigrants 

Lohmann,  J.  G.,  North  German  Lloyd  Steamship  Company,  director  of, 
letter  of _ 


INDEX.                         •  329 

Page. 

ivarpool,  Steamship-Owners'  Association,  letter  from 146 

etters  concerning'  examination  of  intending"  immigrants,  letter  from 146 

aws,  special  restrictive  concerning  Jews  in  Russia  _ 149 

May  laws,"'  mentioned _ _ 38 

[oscow,  order  expelling  Jews  from 40 

expulsion  of  Jews  from,  how  done 41 

hospitals  in,  refuse  admission  to  Jews. _  41 

receipt  for  hospital  tax  in __ _ 41 

interviews  in 49 

yisited 33 

iarina  Roschcha  visited 58 

interviews  in 80 

[insk  visited,  condition  described 66 

statement  of  Jewish  exiles  at 68 

Jewish  farmers  near 73 

Government  contract  forbidding  employment  of  J ews -. 73 

Miss  Berlin  interviewed.- 74 

[unich  visited 108 

[arcus,  Senator,  statement  concerning  German  immigration  laws 113 

[ormons,  emigration  of,  to  United  States . 185 

[echanics,  emigration  of,  to  United  States 187 

return  movement  of 234 

Canning,  Cardinal,  interview  with  _ .' 287 

aples,  visit  to 219 

steamship  company's  agents  visited  in _  220 

emigrants,  number  from 220 

ethorland's  Line  Steamship  Company,  visited  at  Amsterdam 21 

orth  Gei'man  Lloyd  Steamship  Company  agent  interviewed 108 

circulars  of 141 

letter  of  director  of 24 

letter  from - 148 

'uremberg  visited - _  108 

yarad  visited 107 

'sten-Sacken,  Baron,  interview  with  - 32 

'derberg  visited . 102 

emigrants  inspected  at 102 

money  of  emigrants  counted  at 102 

ale  of  settlement  for  Jews  described 37 

population  of  by  towns _ 176 

risen  otape  visited  in  Moscow __  47 

russia,  regulations  of,  concerning  emigration 101) 

'auper,  how  to  be  defined _.  126 

'assports,  Russian,  changed  to  order  of  expulsion 168 

i'assport,  Russian,  transit 171 

'risoners,  aid  societies  forward  ex-convicts  to  United  States  from  Great 

Britain 189 

British  Government  assists,  how 191 

risoners,  ex,  assisted  by  British  Government  to  leave  realm 193 

aid  societies,  selections  from  reports  of 193 

fowderly,  Joseph,  appointment  of 1 

report  of 246 

'ostal-money  orders  sent  to  British  ex-convicts  in  United  States 254 

oor  children  sent  from  England  to  Canada 264 

'repaid  tickets  for  Italians  sunt  from  United  States,  number  of 299 

Report  of  Commissioners  Weber  and  Kempster 15 

ted  Star  Line  Steamship  Company,  visited  Antwerp 19 

uuesia  visited _ _ ._. 30 

history  of  Jews  in __._ 34 

business  in  depressed  by  Jewish  exodus 46 

Refugees,  Jewish,  statements  of,  at  Minsk 68 

ied  Star  Steamship  Company,  letter  from 146 

>'eport  Commissioner  Judson  N.  Cross 181 

iailroad  circulars,  American,  incite  immigration 187 

from  Scotland 213 

Report  Commissioner  Joseph  Powderly 246 

uiilroads  in  United  States  incite  emig ration  here _ 248 

ieport  of  Commissioner  Herman  J.  Schulteis -_.  263 


I 


330  i^EX. 

Pi 

Railroad  circulars  incite  emigration  to  United  States ; 

Secretary  of  Treasury,  letter  of  transmittal  of ._ 

Schulteis,  Herman  J.,  appointment  of 

Semsey,  Charles,  appointment  of ,  secretary  to  Commission... _ 

Steamship  agents  and  sul^agents,  how  appointed 

companies,  conference  with',  at  Liverpool 

represented  at  Liverpool _ 

advertising  by  - 

St.  Petersburg  visited - 

interview  with  Mr.  Chichkineat -*_. 

interview  with  Baron  Osten-Sacken _ 

Statements  taken  of  residents  in  Moscow __. 

Soldiers,  veteran,  how  treated _ 

School,  artisan,  at  Muisk.. - 

in  Moscow _ 

Samokvalovich,  visit  totownlet  of || 

statements  of  Jews  in _ 

crowded  condition  of..- 

Schoolin  Bjalystok  visited 

Grodno  visited ^ 

Warsaw  visited - 

Cracow  visited  _ - - .J| 

BudBrPesth .' -.. ]] 

Slovaks,  region  inhabited  by 1 

immigration  of  to  United  States,  how  started ] 

statements  of,  at  Hamburg ] 

Slovak  villages  described ] 

Semsey,  Charles,  report  concerning  Slovak  emigration ] 

Schools  in  Abrany _      ] 

Steamship  company's  conference  with  continental ] 

Scotland  visited,  wages  in _ ] 

temporary  immigration  to  United  States  from _._.. ] 

revisited _ _ i 

Switzerland  visited ^ _ _..      i 

prison  reform  in 2 

prisoners  under  surveillance  not  to  leave i 

large  immigration  from - 5 

Schulteis,  Herman  J.,  report  of _ 5 

Tickets,  commission  on  sale  of  steamship .._ _. 

prepaid,  number  of . 

Tuieik  visited,  condition  described - - '1 

Tin  mines,  Welsh,  visited  ._ ] 

Tin,  how  usedinWales ^ 

American,  how  regarded  by  Welsh  tin- workers 2 

workers,  wages  of,  in  Wales 2 

immigration  of,  from  Wales 2 

Ticket  agencies  in  New  York,  Italiq^n .--      2 

Ukase  expelling  Jews  from  Russia 1 

"Voluntary  agreement"  to  leave  Russia 

Veteran  soldiers  in  Russia,  statements  of,  how  treated • 

Vienna  visited • __ li 

Weber,  Hon.  John  B.,  appointment  of 

letter  transmitting  report .• 

statement  to  steamship  companies,  Liverpool 

White,  Mr.  Arnold,  interview  with _ _ : 

Wilna,  visited. _._ _ 

wages  in. _ _ ". f^* 

crowded  condition  of,  and  poverty  in 

statements  of  residents  in _> 

manufactories  in 

Warsaw  visited *_ _. _ ^  m 

statements  of  residents  of  _ ■:" 

wages  in _._ _ '•• 

Rev.  Father  Chelnierki,  statement  of - », 

manufactories  visited  in... _ J 

schools  visited  in '" 

Jewish  Association  rooms  in,  visited '^ 

Mr.  Bloch,  counselor  of  state,  interviewed 


INDEX.  331 

Page, 

7olff,  Mr.,  interview  with,  concerning  Argentine  Republic lltt 

7ales  visited 182 

tin  mines  in.. 182 

immigration  of  tin-workers  from 245 

Yellow  ticket"  for  Jewess  in  Moscow 45 

ourkoffsky,  Gen.,  orders  of .__ 67 


52d  Congress,  )  HOUSE  OF  TvEPRESENTATIVES.  (  Ex.  Doc.  235, 
1st  Session,      ]  \       Part  2. 


LETTER 


FROM  THE 


SECRETARY  OF  THE  TREASURY, 


TEANSMITTrN-Q 


A  REPORT  OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS  OF  IMMIGRATION 
UPON  THE  CAUSES  WHICH  INCITE  IMMIGRA- 
TION TO  THE    UNITED  STATES. 


VOI.TJME    II. 

EXTEACTS  FROM  EUROPEAN  LAWS.— LETTERS 
OF  U.  S.  CONSULS. 


WASHINGTOIT: 

GOVERNMENT   PRINTING  OFFICE, 
1892. 
H.  Ex.  37 57 


r 


Srft 


SUBSTANCE  OF  LAWS  GOVERNING  EMIGRATION. 


S"WEDEN  AND  NORWAY. 

In  Sweden  and  T^orway  emigration  is  guarded  very  strictly  by  gov- 
ernmental laws.  Agents  of  steamship  companies  must  obtain  from 
the  governors  of  provinces,  where  they  intend  to  locate,  permission  to 
carry  on  business;  and  they  are  required  to  give  bonds  directly  to  the 
Government  to  the  amount  of  from  10,000  to  60,000  kroner  ($2,500  to 
$15,000)  for  the  proper  performance  of  the  obligations  entered  into 
under  the  permission,  and  the  Government  reserves  the  right  to  revoke 
any  license  or  to  increase  the  amount  at  pleasure.  The  assistants,  or 
subagents,  are  to  be  governed  by  the  same  laws  and  rules  as  the 
agents  who,  indeed,  are  held  to  be  directly  responsible  for  the  subagents' 
acts,  aud  any  infringement  of  the  laws  is  punishable  by  fines  or  by 
revoking  the  license. 

The  amount  of  surety  deposited  by  agents  with  the  Government  is 
retained  for  two  years  after  the  license  is  either  surrendered  or  revoked, 
in  order  that  any  damages  assessed  may  be  deducted  therefrom. 

EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  BRITISH  PASSENGER  ACTS  OF  1855  AND  1863, 
RELATING  TO  THE  CARRYING  OF  EMIGRANTS. 

Section  4  of  the  act  of  1855  provides  as  follows : 

IV.  This  act  shall  extend  to  every  "passenger  ship"  proceeding  on  any  voyage 
from  the  United  Kingdom  to  any  place  ont  of  Europe,  and  not  being  within  the 
Mediterranean  Sea,  and  on  every  colonial  voyage,  as  hereinafter  described,  and, 
in  the  particulars  mentioned  or  referred  to  in  sections  one  hundred,  one  hundred 
and  one,  aud  one  hundred  and  two,  to  every  ship  bringing  passengers  into  the 
United  Kingdom  from  any  place  out  of  Europe  and  not  being  within  the  Mediter- 
ranean Sea,  but  shall  not  extend  to  any  of  Her  Majesty's  ships  of  war,  nor  to  any 
ships  in  the  service  of  the  commissioners  for  executing  the  office  of  lord  high  ad- 
miral of  the  United  Kingdom,  nor  to  any  ship  of  war  or  transport  in  the  service  of 
the  East  India  Company. 

By  virtue  of  chai^ter  73,  section  5  of  the  35th  and  36th  Victoria,  the 
duties  of  the  emigration  commissioners  are  transferred  to  the  board  of 
trade: 

XI.  No  ship  fitted  or  intended  for  the  carriage  of  passengers  as  a  '*  passenger 
ship  "  shall  clear  out  or  proceed  to  sea  until  the  master  thereof  shall  have  obtained 
from  the  emigration  officer  at  tlici  port  of  clearance  a  certificate  of  clearance  under 
his  hand  that  all  the  requirements  of  this  act,  so  far  as  the  same  can  be  complied 
with  before  the  departure  of  such  ship,  have  been  duly  complied  with. 

XVI.  The  master  of  every  ship,  whether  a  ''  passenger  ship  "  or  otherwise,  carry- 
ing passengers  on  any  voyage  to  which  this  act  extends,  shall,  be^fore  demanding  a 
clearance  for  such  ship,  sign  two  lists,  correctly  setting  forth  in  the  manner  therein 
directed  the  name  and  other  particulars  of  the  ship  and  of  every  passenger  on  board 
thereof;   and  the  said  lists,  when  countersigned  by  the  emigration  officer,  where 

3 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


r 


tliere  is  one  at  the  port,  shall  be  delivered  by  the  master  to  the  officer  of  the  cu , 
toms  from  whom  a  clearance  of  the  said  ship  shall  be  demanded,  and  such  offic 
shall  thereupon  also  countersign  aud  return  to  the  said  master  one  of  such  lisl 
hereinafter  called  '^the  master's  list." 

Section  19.  No  passenger  ship  shall  clear  out  or  proceed  to  sea  unless  she  sht 
have  been  surveyed  under  the  direction  of  the  emigration  officer  at  the  port 
clearance,  but  at  the  expense  of  the  owner  or  charterer  thereof,  by  two  or  mo , 
competent  surveyors  to  be  appointed  by  the  said  emigration  commissioners  (boa: 
of  trade)  for  each  port  at  which  there  may  be  an  emigration  officer,  and  for  oth 
ports  by  the  commissioners  of  customs,  nor  unless  it  shall  be  reported  by  such  sii . 
veyors  that  such  '^passenger  ship"  is,  in  their  opinion,  seaworthy  and  fit  for  ii 
intended  voyage. 

XXI.  There  shall  not  be  more  than  two  tiers  of  berths  on  any  one  deck  in  ai 
"passenger  ship,"  and  the  interval  between  the  floor  of  the  berths  and  the  de( 
immediately  beneath  them  shall  not  be  less  than  six  inches,  nor  the  interval  b 
tween  each  tier  of  berths  and  between  the  uppermost  tier  and  the  deck  above 
less  than  two  feet  six  inches.    The  berths  shall  be  securely  constructed,  and  of  c 
mensions  not  less  than  six  feet  in  length  and  eighteen  inches  in  width  for  each  statu 
adult,  and  shall  be  sufficient  in  number  for  the  proper  accommodation  of  all  tlj 
passengers  contained  in  the  lists  of  passengers  hereinbefore  required  to  be  deliver<: 
by  the  master  of  the  ship.     No  part  of  any  berth  shall  be  placed  within  nine  inch 
of  any  watercloset  erected  in  the  between-decks.     In  case  of  noncompliance  wi 
any  of  the  requirements  of  this  section,  the  owner,  charterer,  or  master  of  the  shi . 
or  any  of  them,  shall  for  each  offence  be  liable  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  fif 
pounds  nor  less  than  five  pounds  sterling. 

XXII.  In  every  '^passenger  ship"  all  the  male  passengers  of  the  age  of  fourteijj 
years  and  upwards  who  shall  not  occupy  berths  with  their  wives  shall,  to  the  sat 
faction  of  the  emigration  officer  at  the  port  of  clearance,  be  berthed  in  the  lore  _ 
of  the  ship  in  a  compartment  divided  ofi^  from  the  space  appropriated  to  the  ot 
passeugers  by  a  substantial  and  well-secured  bulkhead,  without  opening  into^ 
communication  with,  any  adjoining  passenger  berth,  or  in  separate  rooms  if  thei 
be  fitted  with  enclosed  berths ;  not  more  than  one  passenger,  unless  husband 
wife,  or  females  or  children  under  twelve  years  of  age,  shall  be  placed  in  or  occnj 
the  same  berth.     In  case  of  noncompliance  with  any  of  the  requirements  of  this 
tiou,  the  owner,  charterer,  or  master  oi  the  ship,  or  any  of  them,  shall,  for  each 
fence,  be  liable  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  fifty  pounds  nor  less  than  five  poi 
sterling. 

XXVI.  No  ''passenger  ship"  shall  clear  out  or  proceed  to  sea  with  out  such  provia 
for  affording  light  and  air  to  the  passeng<5r  decks  as  the  circumstances  of  the  case] 
in  the  judgment  of  the  emigration  officer  at  the  port  of  clearance,  require;  norl 
there  are  as  many  as  one  hundred  passengers  on  board,  without  having  an  adeqi 
and  proper  ventilating  apparatus,  to  be  approved  by  such  emigration  officer 
fitted  to  his  satisfaction ;  the  passengers  shall,  moreover,  have  the  free  and 
peded  use  of  the  whole  of  each  hatchway  situated  over  the  space  appropriated] 
their  use,  and  over  each  such  hatchway  there  shall  be  erected  such  a  booby  hatclii 
other   substantial  covering  as  shall,  in  the  opinion   of   such  emigration    offic 
afi'ord  the  greatest  amount  of  light  and  air,  and  of  protection  from  wet,  as  the 
will  admit.     In  case  of  noncompliance  with  any  of  the  requirements  of  this  sect 
the  owner,  charterer,  or  master  of  the  ship,  or  any  of  them,  shall,  for  each  offenc 
liable  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  fifty  pounds  nor  less  than  twenty  pounds. 

LXVI.  No  person  whatever  shall  directly  or  indirectly  act  as  a  passenger  brc 
in  respect  of  passages  from  the  United  Kingdom  to  any  place  out  of  Europe,  and] 
being  within  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  or  shall  sell  or  let,  or  agree  to  sell  or  let,  ol 
in  anywise  concerned  in  the  sale  or  letting  of  passages  in  any  ship,  whether  a  "pjl 
senger  ship  "  or  otherwise,  proceeding  from  the  United  Kingdom  to  any  such  pla  ■ 
as  aforesaid,  unless  such  person,  with  two  good  and  sufficient  sureties,  to  be  approv ; 
by  the  emigration  officer  at  the  port  nearest  to  the  place  of  business  of  such  perse  i 
shall  have  previously  entered  into  a  joint  and  several  bond,  in  the  sum  of  one  the 
sand  pounds,  to  Her  Majesty,  her  heirs  and  successors,  according  to  the  form  contain  •    . 
in  schedule  hereto  annexed,  which  bond  shall  be  renewed  on  each  occasion  of  o, 
taining  such  licence  as  hereinafter  mentioned,  and  shall  be  in  duplicate,  witho|  U 
stamps,  and  one  part  thereof  shall  be  deposited  at  the  office  in  London  of  the  said  enl  t 
gration  commissioners  (board  of  trade),  and  the  other  part  thereof  with  the  emigrati' ' 
officer  at  the  port  nearest  to  the  place  of  business  of  such  person ;  nor  unless  su 
person  shall  have  obtained  a  licence,  as  hereinafter  mentioned,  to  let  or  sellpassag< 
nor  unless  such  licence  shall  then  be  in  force ;  and  if  any  person  shall  off'end  in  ai 
particular  against  this  enactment,  every  person  so  offending  shall  for  each  often 
be  liable  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  fifty  pounds  nor  less  than  twenty  pounds,  to 
sued  for  and  recovered  as  hereinafter  mentioned:  Provided,  that  such  bond  shall d 
be  required  of  any  person  who  shall  be  one  of  the  sworn  brokers  of  the  city  of  Lo 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      5 

don :  Provided  also,  that  there  shall  be  excepted  from  the  operation  of  this  section 
•  the  said  emigration  commissioners  ( board  of  trade),  and  any  ]>ersons  contracting  with 
them,  or  acting  under  their  authority,  and  also  any  person  acting  as  the  agent  of 
any  passage  broker  in  pursuance  of  an  appointment  made  in  the  form  prescribed 
by' schedule  hereto  annexed,  signed  by  such  passage  broker,  and  countersigned  by 
such  emigration  officer  as  aforesaid :  Provided  further,  that  the  acts  and  defaults  of 
any  person  acting  under  the  authority  or  as  agent  of  any  passage  broker  shall,  for 
the  purposes  of  this  act,  be  deemed  to  be  also  the  acts  and  defaults  of  such  passage 
broker:  Provided  also,  that  nothing  hereinbefore  contained  shall  be  held  or  con- 
strued to  prevent  the  said  emigration  officer  from  accepting  the  bond  of  a  guarantee 
society,  such  bond  and  such  guarantee  society  as  shall  have  been  approved  by  the 
lords  commissioners  of  Her  Majesty's  treasury,  in  lieu  of  the  bond  of  two  good  and 
sufficient  securities  as  aforesaid. 

LXVII.  Any  person  wishing  to  obtain  a  licence  to  act  as  a  passage  broker  in  re- 
spect of  passages  from  the  United  Kingdom  to  any  place  out  of  Europe,  and  not 
being  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  shall  make  application  for  the  same  to  the  justices 
at  the  petty  sessions  held  for  the  district  or  place  in  which  such  person  shall  have 
his  place  of  business;  and  such  justices  are  hereby  authorized  (if  they  shall  think 
fit)  to  grant  a  licence  for  that  purpose,  according  to  the  form  in  the  schedule 
hereunto  annexed,  which  licence  shall  continue  in  force  until  the  thirty-tirst  day  of 
December,  in  the  year  in  which  such  licence  shall  be  granted  and  for  thirty-one  daj's 
afterwards,  unless  sooner  forfeited,  as  herein  mentioned;  and  upon  granting  such 
license  the  justices  shall  cause  a  notice  thereof,  according  to  the  form  in  schedule 
hereto  annexed,  to  be  transmitted  forthwith  by  the  post  to  the  said  emigration  com- 
missioners (board  of  trade)  at  their  office  in  London:  Provided  always,  that  no  such 
license  shall  be  granted  unless  the  party  applying  for  the  same  shall  show  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  justices  that  he  has  given  such  bond  to  Her  Majesty,  her  heirs 
and  successors,  as  hereinbefore  required,  and  has  deposited  one  part  thereof  at  the 
office  in  London  of  the  said  commissioners  (board  of  trade),  or  is  a  sworn  broker  of 
the  city  of  London,  and  has  in  either  case  given  notice  to  the  said  commissioners 
(board  of  trade),  fourteen  clear  days  at  least  before  such  application  of  his  inten- 
ition  to  apply  for  the  same,  which  notice  shall  be  transmitted  by  the  post  to  the  office 
in  London  of  the  said  connuissioners  (board  of  trade),  and  shall  be  according  to  the 
■form  contained  in  the  schedule  hereto  annexed:  Provided  also,  that  an 3"  justices 
of  the  peace  who  shall  adjudicate  on  any  olfence  against  this  act,  or  on  any  breach 
or  nonperformance  of  any  of  the  requirements  thereof,  are  hereby  authorized,  if 
they  shall  think  fit,  and  the  offender  is  a  passage  broker,  to  order  his  licence  to  be 
■forfeited,  and  the  same  shall  thereupon  be  forfeited  accordingly;  and  the  said  jus- 
tices making  such  order  shall  forthwith  cause  notice  of  such  forfeiture,  in  the  form 
■contained  in  the  schedule  hereunto  annexed,  to  be  transmitted  by  the  post  to  the 
isaid  commissioners  (board  of  trade)  at  their  office  in  London.  In  Scotland,  where 
any  person  wishing  to  obtain  such  licence  shall  make  application  for  the  same  to  the 
sheriff  or  steward  or  sheriff  substitute  or  steward  substitute,  in  place  of  to  such  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  as  aforesaid,  the  forms  given  in  said  schedules  respectively,  shall 
still  be  adhered  to  with  such  alterations  as  may  be  necessary. 

Form  of  passage  hroTcer^s  annual  bond,  with  two  sureties,  to  be  approved  by  the  emigra- 
tion officer  at  the  nearest  port. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents,  that  we,  A.  B.,  of ,  G.  D.,  of,  &c., , 

and  E.  F.,  of,  &c., ,  are  held  and  firmly  bound  unto  our  sovereign ,  by 

the  grace  of  God,  of  the  United  Kingdom  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland, de- 
fender of  the  faith,  in  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  of  good  and  lawful  money  of 

Great  Britain  to  be  paid  to  our  said ,  the heirs  and  successors ;  to  which 

payment  well  and  truly  to  be  made  we  bind  ourselves  and  every  of  us,  jointly  and 
severally,  for  and  in  the  whole,  our  heirs,  executors,  and  administrators,  and  every 

of  them,  firmly  by  these  presents.     Sealed  with  our  seals.    Dated  this day  of 

,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifty. 

Form  of  passage  broTcer's  licence.  * 

A.    B.,    of ,  in   the  ,  having   shown   to    the  satisfaction  of  me  (or 

ns),  the  undersigned,   that  he    hath   given    bond  to  Majesty,    as   by  the 

"passengers  act,  1855,"  required,  and  also  given  fourteen  days'  previous  notice  to 

*  N.  B. — Each  member  of  a  firm  or  partnership  who  acts  as  a  passage  broker  must 
have  a  separate  licence. 


Li 


I 


6       ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

the  emigration  commissioners  [board  of  trade]  of  liis  intention  to  make  applicsj 
tion  for  a  licence  to  carry  on  the  bnsiness  of  a  passage  broker  in  respect  of  passage 
from  the  United  Kingdom  to  any  place  out  of  Europe,  and  not  being  within  tb 
Mediterranean  Sea,  I  (or  we),  the  undersigned,  having  had  no  sufficient  cause  showi 
to  me  (or  us),  and  seeing  no  valid  reason  why  the  said  A.  B.  should  not  receive  sue 
licence,  do  hereby  licence  and  authorize  the  said  A.  B.  to  carry  on  the  business  of 
l)assage  broker  as  aforesaid  until  the  end  of  the  present  year,  and  thirty-one  day 
afterwards,  unless  this  licence  shall  be  sooner  determined  by  forfeiture  for  miscor 
duct  on  the  part  of  the  said  A.  B.  as  in  the  '^passengers  act,  1855,"  is  provided. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  (or  our  respective  hands  and  seals),  this da 

of ,185—,  at . 

Signature, (l.  s.), 

(Justices  of  the  peace,  police  or  stipendiary  magistrate,  or  sheriff,  or  steward, 
sheriff,  or  steward  substitute,  as  the  case  may  be.) 

Form  of  notice  to  be  given  to  the  emigration  commissioners  Aboard  of  trade']  byjustict 

granting  a  licence. 

Gentlemen:  This  is  to  give  notice  that  we  (or  I),  the  undersigned,  did,  ontb 

day  of ,  185 — ,  license  A.  B.,  of ,  to  carry  on  the  business  of  a  pat 

sage  broker  under  the  provisions  of  the  "passengers  act,  1855." 

Signatures , 

Justices  of  the  Peace  {or  as  the  case  may  be']^ 

Place, ,  date, .  " 

To  the  Emigration  Commissioners  [Board  of  Trade],  London. 

Form  of  notice  to  be  given  to  the  emigration   commissioners  [boat'd  of  trade]  by  an 
applicant  for  a  passage  brokers  licence. 

Gentlemen:  I,  A.  B.,  of ,  in ,  do  hereby  give  you  notice  that  it  i 

my  intention  to  apply,  after  the  expiration  of  fourteen  clear  days  from  the  puttin 
of  this  notice  into  the  post,  to  the  justices  to  be  assembled  in  p('tty  sessions  to  l)e  hel 

(or  to  the  police  or  stipendiary  magistrate  for  the  city  or  borough  or  district  ( 

,  or  if  in  Scotland  to  the  sheriff  or  steward  of ,  as  the  case  may  be),  fc 

a  licence  to  carry  on  the  business  of  a  passage  broker,  under  the  provisions  of  tb 
''passengers  act,  1855." 

Signature 

Date, . 

To  the  Emigration  Commissioners  [Board  of  Trade],  London. 

Form  of  notice  to  be  given  by  the  justices  to  the  emigration  commissioners  [board  i 
trade]  of  forfeiture  of  .a  passage  broker^  s  licence. 

Gentlemen:  This  is  to  give  you  notice  that  the  licence  granted  on  the da 

of ,  185 — ,  to  A.  B.,  of in ,  to  act  as  a  passage  broker,  was,  on  tb 

day  of now  last  past,  duly  declared  by  me  (or  us),  the  undersigned  jui 

tices  of  the  peace,  in  petty  sessions  assembled,  to  be  forfeited. 

Signatures . 

Place  and  date, ,  185—. 

To  the  Emigration  Commissioners  [Board  of  Trade],  London. 

Form  of  appointment  of  passage  broker's  agent. 

I,  A.  B.,  of,  &c.  (or  as  the  case  may  be),  one  of  the  partners  and  on  behalf  of  tl) 
firm  of,  &c.  (name  all  the  partners  and  the  style  of  the  firm),  carrying  on  the  bus 

ness  of ,  at ,  do  hereby  nominate  and  appoint  you,  C.  D.,  of,  &c.,  to  ac 

as  my  agent  and  on  my  behalf  in  the  sale  or  letting  of  passages  and  otherwise  i 
the  business  of  a  passage  broker,  according  to  the  provisions  of  ''the  passeugei 
act),  looo. 

Signature  in  full ■> 

Place  and  date, ,  185 — . 

Counter  signature 

Emigration  Officer  at  the  Port  of .  Mttl'^^ 

m 


f 


ENFQKCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      7 

LXX.  If  au  J  person  shall  by  false  representation  as  to  the  size  of  a  ship,  or  other- 
wise, or  by  any  false  pretence  or  fraud  Avhatf^oever,  induce  any  person  to  engage  a 
passage  in  any  ship,  the  person  so  offending  shall  for  each  oifence  be  liable  to  a  pen- 
alty not  exceeding  twenty  pounds,  nor  less  than  five  pounds  sterling. 

LXXI.  Every  person  whatever,  except  the  said  emigration  commissioners  [board 
of  trade]  and  persons  acting  for  them  and  under  their  direct  authority,  who  shall 
receive  money  from  any  person  for  or  in  respect  of  a  passage  in  any  ship,  or  of  a 
cabin  passage  in  any  passenger  ship  proceeding  from  the  United  Kingdom  to  any 
place  out  of  Europe,  and  not  being  within  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  shall  give  to  the 
person  paying  such  money  a  contract  ticket,  signed  by  the  owner,  charterer,  or 
master  of  the  ship  or  passenger  ship  (as  the  case  may  be),  in  which  the  passage  is  to 
be  provided,  or  by  some  person  in  their  or  his  name,  and  on  their  or  his  behalf; 
such  contract  ticket  shall  be  made  out  in  jilain  and  legible  characters  on  a  printed 
form,  which  in  the  case  of  cabin  j)assengers  shall  be  according  to  the  form  contained 
in  schedule  hereto  annexed,  and  in  the  case  of  all  other  passengers  in  the  form 
contained  in  schedule  hereto  annexed,  or  according  to  such  other  form  as  in 
either  case  may  from  time  to'time  be  prescribed  by  the  said  emigration  commis- 
sioners [board  of  trade,]  in  any  notice  issued  under  their  hands,  or  the  hands  of  any 
two  of  them,  and  published  in  the  London  Gazette.  And  any  direction  contained 
on  the  face  of  such  form  of  contract  ticket  shall  be  obeyed  in  the  same  manner  as 
if  herein  set  forth.  In  case  of  noncompliance  with  any  of  the  requirements  of  this 
section,  or  of  any  of  the  directions  on  such  form  of  contract  ticket  not  inconsistent 
with  this  act,  the  person  so  oft'ending  shall  for  each  offence  be  liable  to  a  penalty 
not  exceeding  fifty  pounds  nor  less  than  five  pounds  sterling;  provided  always,  that 
buch  contract  tickets  shall  not  be  liable  to  any  stamp  duty. 

LXXII.  Any  person  who  shall  alter  or  cause  to  be  altered,  after  it  is  once  issued, 
or  shall  induce  any  person  to  part  with,  render  useless,  or  destroy  any  such  contract 
ticket,  during  the  continuance  of  the  contract  which  it  is  intended  to  evidence 
(except  in  the  case  of  cabin  passengers  who  may  have  consented  thereto),  shall  be 
liable  in  each  case  to  the  penalty  not  exceeding  twenty  pounds  sterling. 

LXXV.  Any  person  who  shall  act  as  an  '^  emigrant  runner"  without  having  pre- 
viously been  licenced  and  registered  as  hereinafter  mentioned,  or  who  while  so  act- 
ing shall  omit  to  wear  conspicuously  on  his  breast  such  badge  as  hereinafter  men- 
jtioned,  or  who  shall  emj)loy  as  an  ^'emigrant  runner"  any  person  not  duly  licenced 
and  registered,  shall  for  each  offence  be  liable  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  five  pounds 
nor  less  than  twenty  shillings. 

LXX VI.  The  justices  of  the  peace  at  any  petty  sessions  held  for  the  district  or  place 
within  which  any  person  wishing  to  act  as  an  ''emigrant  runner"  is  to  carry  on  his 
business  may,  upon  the  recommendation  in  writing  of  an  emigrant  ofiicer,  or  of  the 
chief  constable  or  other  head  officer  of  police  of  such  district  or  place  (but  not  other- 
wise), grant,  if  they  shall  think  fit,  to  such  person  wishing  to  act  as  runner  a  licence 
for  that  purpose  according  to  the  form  in  schedule  hereto  annexed,  and  such  runner 
shall  within  forty-eight  hours  thereafter  (under  a  penalty  not  exceeding  forty  shill- 
ings for  any  default)  lodge  such  licence  with  the  nearest  emigration  officer,  who 
shall  register  the  name  and  abode  of  such  runner  in  a  book  to  be  kept  for  that  pur- 
pose, and  shall  number  each  name  registered  in  arithmetical  j)rogression,  and  shall 
supply  to  such  runner,  on  his  paying  a  sum  not  exceeding  seven  shillings  for  the 
same,  a  badge  of  such  form  and  description  as  shall  be  approved  by  the  said  emigra- 
tion commissioners  [board  of  trade]. 

LXXVIII.  If  any ''emigrant  runner"  shall  refuse  or  fail  to  produce,  on  demand, 
his  badge  for  inspection,  or  to  permit  any  person  to  take  the  number  thereof,  or  if  he 
shall  fail  within  forty-eight  hours  to  give  to  the  emigration  officer  of  the  port  or 
place  within  which  he  is  licensed  to  act,  notice  in  writing  of  any  change  in  his  place 
of  abode,  in  order  that  his  new  abode  may  be  registered,  or  of  the  loss  of  his  badge, 
or  if  he  shall  mutilate  or  deface  his  badge  or  wear  the  same  while  unlicensed,  or 
wear  any  other  than  the  one  delivered  to  him  by  such  emigration  officer  as  aforesaid, 
or  permit  any  other  person  to  use  his  badge,  he  shall  for  each  such  offence  be  liable 
to  a  penalty  not  exceeding  forty  shillings  and  to  the  forfeiture  of  his  licence,  if  the 
convicting  justices  or  magistrate  shall  so  determine;  and  any  person  retaining  or 
'  using  any  "emigrant  runner's"  badge  not  issued  to  him  under  the  provisions  of  this 
'  act,  or  counterfeiting  or  forging  any  such  badge,  shall  for  each  offence  be  liable  to  a 
penalty  not  exceeding  five  pounds. 

LXXX.  No  "emigrant  runner  "  shall  be  entitled  to  recover  from  any  passage  broker 
any  fee,  commission,  or  reward  for  or  in  consideration  of  any  service  connected  with 
emigration,  unless  he  shall  be  acting  under  the  written  authority  of  such  passage 
broker,  nor,  under  a  penalty  for  each  offence  not  exceeding  five  pounds,  shall  take 
or  demand  from  any  person  about  to  emigrate  any  fee  or  reward  for  the  procuring  of 
his  passage,  or  in  any  way  relating  thereto. 

This  law  provides  that  for  any  disobedience  of  its  provisions  or  neg- 
lect on  the  part  of  the  owners  or  charterers  of  vessels'to  carry  out  the 


8       ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

provisions  of  the  law  the  complainant  can  not  be  deprived  of  the  op  M- 
portunity  to  obtain  redress  by  any  informality  or  technicality. 

LXXXVII.  No  objection  shall  be  taken  or  allowed  to  any  complaint,  information 
summons,  or  warrant  under  this  act  for  auy  alleged  defect  therein,  either  in  sulb 
stance  or  in  form,  or  for  any  variance  betisv'een  such  complaiut  or  information  am      t 
the  evidence  adduced  on  the  hearing  thereof;  but  if  any  variance  shall  appear  t 
the  justice  or  justices  present  and  acting  at  such  hearing  to  be  such  that  the  part;  Wf'-: 
so  summoned  and  appearing  has  been  thereby  deceived  or  misled,  it  shall  be  law  ! 
lul  for  such  justice  or  justices,  upon  such  terms  as  he  or  they  shall  think  fit,  t< 
adjourn  the  hearing  of  the  case  to  some  future  day,  and  in  the  mean  time  to  commi 
the  defendant  to  such  safe  custody  as  the  said  justice  or  justices  may  think  fit,  o 
to  discharge  him  upon  his  recognizance,  with  or  without  sureties,  to  appear  atsucl 
time  and  place  as  may  be  a^jpointed.     No  conviction,  order,  adjudication,  or  othe 
proceeding  under  or  in  pursuance  of  this  act  shall  be  quashed  or  vacated  for  wan     i- 
of  form. 

In  addition  to  the  sections  of  the  law  cited,  certain  regulations  hav« 
been  formulated  which  provide  for  the  government  of  all  i^assenger  shipi 
saihng  from  Her  Majesty's  ports,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy: 

At  the  court  at  Osborne  House,  Isle  of  Wight,  the  3rd  day  of  February,  1863 
Present:  The  Queen's  most  excellent  Majesty  in  council. 

Whereas  by  the  ^'passenger  act,  1855,"  it  is  amongst  other  things  enacted  that! 
shall  be  lawful  for  Her  Majesty,  by  any  order  in  council,  to  prescribe  such  rules  aiw 
regulations  as  to  Her  Majesty  may  seem  fit  for  preserving  order,  promotiug  health 
and  securing  cleanliness  and  ventilation  on  board  of  passenger  ships  proceediui>;  fron 
the  United  Kingdom  to  any  port  or  place  in  Her  Majesty's  possessions  abroad;  am 
the  said  rules  and  regulations  from  time  to  time  in  like  manner  to  alter,  amend,  am 
revoke,  as  occasion  may  require ;  and 

Whereas  it  is  expedient  to  make  provision  for  preserving  order  in  private  passen 
ger  ships  conveying  to  the  colony  of  Victoria,  in  Australia,  as  many  as  ten  unpro 
tected  female  passengers : 

Now,  therefore.  Her  Majesty  doth,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  her  privy  council 
and  in  pursuance  and  exercise  of  the  authority  vested  in  her  by  the  said  "passengOTi 
act,  1855,"  order,  and  it  is  hereby  ordered,  that  in  addition  to  the  rules  prescribed  " 
the  order  in  council,  dated  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  February,  one  thousand  eigh' 
hundred  and  fifty-six,  the  rules  hereinafter  contained  shall  be  observed  in  respect  t< 
unprotected  female  passengers  on  Iward  such  shijis  as  last  aforesaid. 

1.  In  the  construction  and  for  the  purposes  of  the  order  in  council,  the  term  ''an 
protected  female  passengers"  shall  signify  every  female  passenger  between  the  agew 
of  twelve  and  thirty-live  proceeding  to  the  colony  of  Victoria  by  virtue  of  a  passi 
warrant  issued  by  the  government  of  that  (;olony,  who,  if  married,  shall  not  be 
companied  by  her  husband,  or,  if  unmarried,  shall  not  be  accompanied  by  her  fatl 
or  stepfather,  or  by  a  married  brother  with  his  wife,  or  a  married  sister  with 
husband,  or  by  an  unmarried  brother  over  the  age  of  twenty-five,  the  terms  *'  pa 
sengers,"  "passenger  ship,"  and  "master"  shall  have  the  same  significations  as  a^^,^ 
assigned  to  them  respectively  in  the  said  "passengers  act,  1855,"  and  words  used ^^1 J 
the  plural  number  shall  import  the  singular  number  also  and  the  converse,  ui^l^lK, 
inconsistent  with  the  context.  >^Bjr 

2.  All  unprotected  female  passengers  shall,  during  the  voyage,  be  berthed  in  opfllL^ 
berths,  in  a  compartment  in  the  aftermost  ])art  of  the  upper  passenger  deck  of  *^^^^'* 
ship,  effectually  divided  oft  by  substantial  bulkheads  from  the  other  portions  of  si 
deck ;  and  no  single  men,  or  men  without  their  wives,  shall  be  berthed  next  to 
bulkhead  dividing  off  such  compartment. 

3.  The  children  under  twelve  years  of  age  of  married  female  passengers,  unacco: 
panied  by  their  husbands,  shall  be  berthed  with  their  mothers. 

4.  There  shall  be  an  entrance  to  such  compartment  from  the  upper  deck  or  poop,^ 
exclusively  appropriated  to  the  use  of  such  female  passengers. 

5.  There  shall  be  carried  on  board  a  matron,  to  be  appointed  by  the  owner  o; 
master  of  the  ship,  and  to  be  charged  with  the  maintenance  of  discipline  among  sucM 
female  passengers  as  aforesaid.  I 

6.  No  unprotected  female  passenger  shall  on  any  account  be  allowed  to  act  or  shaHlj 
act  as  servant  or  attendant  on  the  surgeon,  master,  or  any  of  the  officers  of  the  ship;. 
or  on  any  male  cabin  passenger. 

7.  All  intercourse  between  unprotected  female  passengers  and  any  of  the  officers. 
or  crew  of  the  ship,  or  between  such  females  and  any  of  the  male  passengers  (excepl, 
brothers  or  brothers-in-law,  and  in  case  of  unprotected  married  women  their  children^ 
is  hereby  strictly  prohibited. 

8.  The  master  of  the  ship  before  sailing  shall,  with  the  approval  of  the  emigration. 


i 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.      9 

officer  at  the  port  of  clearance,  mark  out  the  portion  of  the  poop  or  main  deck  to  be 
assigned  for  the  purpose  of  exercise  to  such  unprotected  female  passengers,  who,  dur- 
ing the  voyage,  shall  keep  within  the  limits  so  marked  out. 

9.  Before  dark  all  such  female  passengers  as  aforesaid  shall  go  below  to  their  own 
compartment,  and  as  soon  as  they  are  there  collected,  the  master  shall  lock  the  en- 
trance, and  on  no  account  shall  any  man  enter  the  compartment  during  the  night, 
except  the  surgeon  in  case  of  illness,  or  the  officers  and  crew  in  case  danger  to  the 
ship  shall  render  their  entrance  necessary, 

10.  If  the  surgeon  is  required  to  attend  professionally  any  of  such  unprotected 
female  passenger  at  night,  the  matron  shall  accompany  and  remain  with  him  while 
he  discharges  his  duties. 

11.  The  master  of  the  ship  shall  afford  to  the  matron  and  to  the  surgeon  all  the 
assistance  in  his  power  in  carrying  these  regulations  into  etfect. 

12.  Any  person  who  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  obey  any  of  the  rules  herein  con- 
tained, or  who  shall  obstruct  the  surgeon  or  master  of  the  ship  in  the  execution  of 
any  duty  hereby  imposed  on  tliem  respectivelj',  or  who  shall  be  guilty  of  insubordi- 
uate  conduct,  shall,  on  conviction,  be  liable  for  each  offense  to  the  penalties  of  fine 
and  imprisonment  imposed  by  the  said  passengers  act,  1855. 

13.  This  order  in  council  shall  not  apply  to  ships  chartered  by  Her  Majesty's  emi- 
(ration  commissioners. 

And  the  most  noble  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  one  of  Her  Majesty's  principal  secre- 
taries of  state,  is  to  give  the  necessary  directions  herein  accordingly. 


At  the  court  at  Osborne  House,  Isle  of  Wight,  the  7th  day  of  January,  1864.     Pres- 
ent: The  Queeu's  most  excellent  Majesty  in  council. 

Whereas  by  the  "  passengers  act,  1855,"  it  is  amongst  other  things  enacted  that  it 
shall  be  lawful  for  Her  Majesty,  by  an  order  in  council,  to  prescribe  such  rules  and 
regulations  as  to  Her  Majesty  may  seem  fit  for  preserving  order,  promoting  health, 
and  securing  cleanliness  and  ventilation  on  board  of  passenger  ships  proceeding 
from  the  United  Kingdom  to  any  port  or  place  in  Her  Majesty's  possessions  abroad, 
and  the  said  rules  and  regulations  from  time  to  time  in  like  manner  to  alter,  amend, 
aud  revoke,  as  occasion  may  require;  and 

Whereas  it  is  expedient  to  revoke  an  order  in  council  made  at  a  court  held  at 
Buckingham  Palace  on  the  twenty-lifth  day  of  February,  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  fifty-six,  in  virtue  of  the  provisions  of  the  said  act,  aud  to  make  a  new 
order  in  council: 

Now,  therefore,  Her  Majesty  doth,  by  and  with  the  advice  of  her  privy  council, 
and  in  pursuance  and  exercise  of  the  authority  vested  in  her  by  the  said  "passen- 
gers act,  1855,"  order,  and  it  is  hereby  ordered,  that  the  said  order  in  council  of  the 
twenty-fifth  day  of  February,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  aud  fifty-six,  be,  and  the 
same  is  hereby,  revoked,  and  that  the  following  shall  henceforth  be  the  rules  for 
preserving  order,  for  promoting  health,  and  for  securing  cleanliness  and  ventilation 
to  be  observed  on  board  of  every  passenger  ship  proceeding  from  the  United  King- 
dom to  any  port  or  place  in  Her  Majesty's  possessions  abroad  out  of  Europe,  and  not 
being  within  the  Mediterranean  Sea. 

1.  All  passengers  who  shall  not  be  prevented  by  sickness  or  other  sufficient  cause, 
to  be  determined  by  the  surgeou,  or  in  ships  carrying  no  surgeon  by  the  master, 

hall  rise  not  later  than  seven  o'clock  a.  m.,  at  which  hour  the  tires  shall  be  lighted. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  cook  or  cooks  appointed  under  the  thirty-ninth  sec- 
tion of  the  said  ''i)asseugers  act,  1855,"  to  light  the  fires  aud  to  take  care  that  they 
be  kept  alight  during  the  day,  and  also  to  take  care  that  each  passenger  or  family 
of  passengers  shall  have  the  use  of  the  fireplace  at  proper  hours,  in  an  order  to  be 
lixed  by  the  master. 

3.  When  the  passengers  are  dressed  their  beds  shall  be  rolled  up. 

4.  The  decks,  including  the  space  under  the  bottom  of  the  berth,  shall  be  swept 
before  breakfast,  and  all  dirt  thrown  overboard. 

5.  The  breakfast  hour  shall  be  from  eight  to  nine  o'clock  a.  m.  Before  the  com- 
mencement of  breakfast  all  the  emigrants,  except  as  hereinbefore  excepted,  are  to 
l)e  out  of  bed  and  dressed,  and  the  beds  rolled  up,  and  the  deck  on  which  the  emi- 
;;rants  live  properly  swept. 

6.  The  decks  shall  be  further  swept  after  every  meal,  and  after  breakfast  is  con- 
cluded shall  be  also  dry  holy-stoned  or  scraped.  This  duty,  as  well  as  that  of  clean- 
ing the  ladders,  hospitals,  roundhouses,  and  water-closets,  and  of  pumping  water 
iuto  the  cisterns  or  tanks  for  the  sux)ply  of  the  water-closets,  shall  be  performed  by 
a  party  who  shall  be  taken  in  rotation  from  the  adult  males  above  fourteen  in  the 
proportion  of  five  to  every  one  hundred  emigrants,  and  shall  be  considered  as  sweep- 


10 


ENFORCEMENT  OP  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


era  for  the  day.     But  the  single  ^Yomell  shall  do  all  necessary  acts  for  keeping  cl 
and  in  a  proper  state  their  own  compartments,  where  a  separate  compartment 
allotted  to  them,  and  the  occupant  of  each  berth  shall  see  that  his  or  her  own  bert] 
is  well  brushed  out. 

7.  Dinner  shall  conunence  at  one  o'clock  p.  m.  and  supper  at  six  p.  m. 

8.  The  fires  shall  be  extinguished  at  sev^  p.  m.,  unless  otherwise  directed  by 
master  or  required  for  the  use  of  the  sick ;  and  the  emigrants  shall  be  in  their  berth! 
at  ten  o'clock  p.m.,  except  under  the  permission  or  authority  of  the  surgeon,  or,  i 
there  be  no  surgeon,  of  the  master. 

9.  On  each  passenger  deck  there  shall  be  lit  at  dusk,  and  kept  burning  till  da; 
light,  three  safety-lamps,  and  such  further  number  as  shall  allow  one  to  be  placed 
each  of  the  hatchways  used  by  passeugers. 

10.  No  naked  light  shall  be  allowed  between  decks  or  in  the  hold  at  any  time  or 
any  account. 

11.  The  scuttles  and  stern-ports,  if  any,  shall,  weather  permitting,  be  opened 
seven  o'clock  a.  m.  and  kept  open  till  ten  o'clock  p.m.,  and  the  hatches  shall  be  kepi 
open  whenever  the  weather  permits. 

12.  The  coppers  and  cooking  utensils  shall  be  cleaned  every  day  and  the  ciste: 
kept  filled  with  water. 

13.  The  beds  shall  be  well  shaken  and  aired  on  deck,  weather  permitting,  at  le 
twice  a  week. 

14.  The  bottom  boards  of  the  berths,  if  not  fixtures,  shall  be  removed  and  dry 
scrubbed  and,  weather  permitting,  taken  on  deck  at  least  twice  a  week. 

15.  Two  days  in  the  week  shall  be  appointed  by  the  master  as  washing  days,  bu 
no  washing  or  drying  of  clothes  shall  on  any  account  be  permitted  between  deck 

16.  On  Sunday  mornings  the  passengers  shall  be  mustered  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  an< 
will  be  expected  to  appear  in  clean  and  decent  apparel.     The  Lord's  Day  shall 
observed  as  religiously  as  circumstances  will  admit. 

17.  No  spirits  or  gunpowder  shall  be  taken  on  board  by  any  passenger,  and 
either  of  those  articles  be  discovered  in  the  possession  of  a  passenger  it  shall 
taken  into  the  custody  of  the  master  during  the  voyage  and  not  returned  to  the  p 
senger  until  he  has  landed  or  is  on  the  point  of  landing. 

18.  No  loose  hay  or  straw  shall  be  allowed  below  for  any  purpose. 

19.  No  smoking  shall  be  allowed  between  decks. 

20.  The  following  kinds  of  misconduct  are  hereby  strictly  prohibited;  that  is 
say,  all  immoral  or  indecent  acts  or  conduct,  taking  improper  liberties  or  usijig  i 
proper  familiarities  with  the  female  passengers,  using  blasphemous,  obscene, 
indecent  language,  or  language  tending  to  a  breach  of  the  peace,  swearing,  gaiubli 
drunkenness,  fighting,  disorderly,  riotous,  quarrelsome,  or  insubordinate  condiic 
also  all  deposits  of  filth  or  offensive  acts  of  uncleanness  in  the  between  decks;  p 
vided  that  no  conviction  under  the  said  passengers  act  for  any  of  the  offences  herei 
specified  shall  operate  as  a  bar  to  any  civil  or  criminal  proceeding  which  may  in  tr 
ordinary  course  of  law  be  instituted  for  the  same  oftence  by  any  party  aggriever 

21.  Firearms,  swords,  and  other  offensive  weapons,  shall,  as  soon  as  the  ])asseiii 
gers  embark,  be  placed  in  the  custody  of  the  master. 

22.  No  sailors  shall  be  allowed  to  remain  on  the  passenger  deck  among  the  passen 
gers  except  on  duty. 

23.  No  passenger  shall  go  to  the  ship's  cook-house  without  special  permission  froi 
the  master,  nor  remain  in  the  forecastle  among  the  sailors  on  any  account. 

24.  In  vessels  not  expressly  required  by  the  said  '^  Passengers  act,  1855,"'  to  have  a 
board  such  ventilating  apparatus  as  therein  mentioned,  such  other  provisions  sh 
be  made  for  ventilation  as  shall  be  required  by  the  emigration  officer  at  the  port  o: 
embarkation,  or,  in  his  absence,  by  the  officers  of  customs. 

25.  And  to  prevent  all  doubt  in  the  construction  of  this  order  in  council  it 
hereby  further  ordered  that  the  terms  '^United  Kingdom,"  '' passenger,"  ^'passeng 
ship,"  ^'passenger  deck,"  and  ^'master,"  shall  herein  have  the  same  significations 
are  assigned  to  them  respectively  in  the  said  '' Passengers  act,  1855,"  and  unless  in- 
consistent with  the  context  words  of  one  number  shall  import  both  numbers. 

And  the  most  noble  the  Duke  of  Newcastle,  one  of  Her  Majesty's  principal  secri 
taiies  of  state,  is  to  give  the  necessary  directions  herein  accordingly. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


11 


Ship . 

Counterpart  of  passen- 
ger's contract  ticket. 

Tliis  part  of  the  con- 
tract ticket  is  to  be  sep- 
irated  from  the  otiier, 
ind  to  be  delivered  by 
:he  pa-ssenger  to  the 
jmigration  officer  at  the 
Dort  of  embarkation 
ior,  if  no  such  officer, 
yo  the  officer  of  cus- 
soms),  or  to  any  one  ap- 
Dointed  by  hiin  to  re- 
ceive it,  under  a  penalty 
.  lot  exceeding  £10. 

^  '     CONTEACT  TICKET. 

I  engage  that  the  per- 

)on8  mentioned  below 

;hall  be  provided  with 

.  A  steerage  passage  to 

and  be  landed  at 

;he  port    of in 

in  the  ship 

)f tons,  with  u*t' 

ess  than  ten  cubic  feet 

or   luggage    foi-  each 

tatute  adnlt,  and  shall 

-    victu.illed     during 

•  whole  voyage  ac- 

nling  to  the  dietary 

loale  prescribed  by  law. 

f  he  ship  to  receive  her 

.  oas8en<iers  at on 


■  day  of  ■ 


">-.    Passage  money, 

hiding  government 

raes,   if  any,   and    all 

barges  of  landing, 


Names. 


Ages. 


souls  equal  to 
statute  adults. 


lobe  signed  in) 
full  by  the  I 
party  issuing  | 
tlie  ticket.      J 


Injiert  number  of 
souls  and  of  statute 
adults  respectively. 


These  directions 
and  the  "notices  to 
passengers  "  below 
form  part  of,  and 
must  appear  on,  each 
contract  ticket. 


Passenger's  contract  ticket. 

1.  A  contract  ticket  in  this  ferm  must  be  given  to 
every  passenger  engaging  a  passage  from  the  United 
Kingdom  to  any  place  out  of  Europe,  and  not  being 
within  the  Mediterranean  Sea. 

2.  The  victualling  scale  Ijor  the  voyage  must  be 
pi-inted  in  the  body  of  the  ticket. 

3.  All  the  blanks  must  be  correctly  filled  in  and  the 
ticket  must  be  legibly  signed  with  the  Christian  names 
and  surname  and  address  in  full  of  the  party  issuing 
the  same. 

4.  The  day  of  the  month  on  which  the  passengers 
are  to  embark  must  be  inserted  in  words  and  not  in 
figures. 

5.  When  once  issued  this  ticket  must  not  be  with- 
drawn from  the  passenger,  nor  any  alteration,  addi- 
tion, or  erasure  made  in  it. 


Ship 


i 

Equal 
to 

statute 
adults. 

for 


tons  register,  to  take  in  passengers  at 
on  the day  of ,  185-. 

I  engage  that  the  person  named  in  the  margin  hereof 
shall  be  provided  with  a  steerage  passage  to,  and  shall 

be  landed  at,  the  port  of ,  in in  the  ship 

,  witli  not  less  than  ten  cubic  feet  for  luggage  for 

each  statute  adult,  and  shall  be  victualled  duriug  the 
voyage  and  the  time  of  detention  at  any  place  before 
its' termination,  according  to  the  subjoined  scale,  for 

the  sum  of  £ ,  including  government  dues  before 

embarkation  and  head  money,  if  any,  at  the  place  of 
landing,  and  every  other  charge.  exc<'j)t  freight  for  ex- 
cess of  lugira^'^e  hevond  the  quantity  above  specified, 
and  I  hereby  acknoAvledge  to  have  received  the  sum  of 
£ in  full  (part)  payment. 

The  following  quantities,  at  lea.st,  of  water  and  pro- 
visions (to  be  issued  daily)  will  be  supplied  by  the 
master  of  the  ship,  as  required  bylaw,  viz,  to  each 
statute  adult  3  quarts  of  water  daily,  exclusive  of 
what  is  necessary  for  cooking  the  articles  required 
by  the  passengers  act  to  be  issued  in  a  cooked  state, 
and  a  weekly  allowance  of  provisions  according  to 
the  following  scale: 

[Hero  iu.sert  the  victualling  scale  intended  to  be 
used  on  the  voyage.  This  must  be  either  the 
scale  prescribed  in  the  35th  section  of  the  pas- 
sengers act,  1855,  or  that  scale  niodified  bj'  the 
introduction  of  articles  authorized  by  the  act,  to 
be  substituted  for  oatmeal,  rice,  and  potatoes.] 

[N.  B. — If  mess  utensils  and  bedding  are  to  be 
provided  by  the  ship,  the  stipulation  must  be  in- 
serted here.] 
Signature  in  full . 


Place  and  date 


[If  signed  by  a  broker  or  agent,  state  on  whose 
behalf.] 


Deposit  £ . 

Balance  £ . 

Total  £ . 


to  be  paid  at 


NOTICE  TO  PASSENGERS. 

1.  If  passengers,  through  no  default  of  their  own,  are  not  received  on 
board  on  the  day  named  in  their  contract  tickets,  or  fail  to  obtain  a  passage 
in  the  ship,  they  should  apy)lj'  to  the  Government  emigration  officer  at  the 
port,  who  will  assist  them  in  obtaining  redress  under  the  passengers  act. 

2.  Passengers  should  carefully  keep  this  part  of  their  contract  ticket  until 
after  the  end  of  the  voyage. 

N.  B. — This  contract  ticket  is  exempt  from  stamp  duty. 


I 


12      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

In  addition  to  tlie  provisions  of  the  law  above  quoted  the  regalatiol 
for  agents  prescribed  by  the  North  Atlantic  Steam  Traffic  Confereaj 
are  given,  also  the  form  prescribed  for  the  agents'  authority  under  tl 
law; 

V- 

THE  NORTH  ATLANTIC  STEAM  TRAFFIC  CONFERENCE. 

REGULATIONS  FOR  AGENTS. 

The  attention  of  agents  is  specially  called  to  the  following  conference  regnlatic 
A  license  to  act  as  agent  for  any  conference  line  is  granted  only  on  the  follo-^ 

conditions,  and  the  acceptance  or  retention  of  such  license  is  considered  as  ani 

quiescence  on  the  part  of  the  agent  in  these  conditions : 

(1)  The  amount  actually  received  as  dei^osit,  as  well  as  the  total  passage  mondl 
and  balance  due,  is  in  all  cases  to  be  entered  on  the  ticket. 

(2)  Agents  are  strictly  prohibited  from  making  any  reduction  in  the  ocean  or  ra' 
way  fares  or  granting  any  allowance  in  any  shape  or  form  to  passengers  directly 
indirectly.  It  shall  be  considered  a  breach  of  this  rule  for  the  agent  to  allow, 
connection  with  the  booking,  any  portion  of  his  commission  to  any  ])erson  whatev€ 

(3)  No  agent  is  permitted  to  issue  inland  tickets  nor  in  any  way  to  book  or  que 
rates  to  passengers,  nor  to  cause  them  to  be  booked,  nor  to  receive  commission 
their  being  so  booked  from  the  port  of  debarkation  to  their  place  of  destinatiom 
America,  except  through  the  steamship  companj"  tor  which  the  ocean  tickets  are ; 
sued;  and  no  agent  is  permitted  to  issue  tickets  to  places  not  mentioned  in  the 
rent  tariffs  supplied  to  him  by  the  couferece  company  he  represents. 

(4)  Any  agent  reported  by  any  member  of  the  conference  for  irregularity  in 
mittances  becomes  at  once  disqualified  for  acting    for   any  conference  compj 
Other  infractions  of  rules  may  be  dealt  with  by  tine  or  disqualification,  as  decic 
by  conference.     No  allowance  is  made  for  postage  or  any  other  charge  excepting 
of  bankers'  draft,  postal  or  post-oLifice  order.     Under  no   circumstances   can   ai| 
charge  be  allowed  for  remittance  by  private  check,  whi<'h  latter  form  of  remitts 
is  only  permitted  if  previously  arranged  with  the  company. 

(5)  No  charge  is  allowed  to  be  made  by  agents  for  bill-posting.  '^^ 

(6)  No  circular  or  publication  of  any  kind  retlecting  upon  or  instituting  any  col 
parison  unfavorable  to  any  conference  line  is  to  be  issued  by  any  agent. 

(7)  When  an  agent  advertises  a  rate  for  passage  to  America  he  must  distinct 
name  the  line  by  which  such  rate  is  available. 

(8.)  No  agent  is  to  issue  tickets,  book  pisseugers,  nor  cause  them  to  be  bookJ 
directly  or  indire(!tly,  nor  permit  any  person  in  his  emjdoy  or  on  his  premises  to  bo« 
for  any  steamship  line  sailing  from  any  port  in  Europe  to  any  port  iu  the  United  Stat 
or  Canada,  except  those  forming  this  conference. 

(9.)  In  order  to  regulate  the  connection   between  Liverpool  agents  and  agents 
the  country  and  other  towns,  and  to  prevent  the  one  interfering  with  the  functio 
of  the  other,  as  is  now  fre(]uently  the  case,  to  the  detriment  of  all  concerned,  an 
further,  to  prevent  indirect  breaches  of  conference  regnlations,  it  has  been  agre«  '; 
between  the  several  conference  companies,  as  follows: 

(a)  That  the  charge  per  night  fjpr  lodgings  at  the  house  of  any  Liverpool  aged 
not  including  anything  else  but  attendance,  be  not  les3  than  one  shilling  per  adul  f.'f 
or  one  shilling  and  sixi)ence  for  two  persons  sleeping  in  one  bed,  for  all  British  ps 
sengers  except  those  only  just  arrived  from  Ireland,  for  which  passengers  the  low€ 
charge  for  lodgings  shall  be  sixpence  per  night. 

(h)  That  the  lowest  charge  for  a  plain  meal  be  sixpence;  and  for  a  meal  with  me| 
one  shilling.  .   ' 

(c)  That  the  payment  of  commission  on  the  board  or  lodging  of  passengers  i 
strictly  prohibited.  Agents  found  paying  or  receiving  such  to  be  at  once  disquaij 
fied.  j 

(d)  That  agents  outside  of  Liverpool  be  prohibited  from  making  use  of,  or  supplj 
ing  passengers  with,  any  baggage  labels  except  those  issued  by  the  steamship  coil 
panics.  ( 

The  names  of  the  conference  companies  are :  Allan  liine,  Allan  Brothers  &  Co 
American  Line,  Richardson,  Spence  &  Co.;  Anchor  Line,  Henderson  Brother 
Beaver  Line,  The  Canada  Shipping  Company,  Limited;  Cunard  Line,  The  Cuna: 
Steamship  Company,  liimited;  Dominion  Line,  Flinn,  Main  &  Montgomery;  Gnii 
Line,  Guion  &  Co. ;  InraanLine  (The  Inman  and  International  Steamship  Compau, 
Limited),  Richardson,  Spence  &  Co.;  National  Line,  The  National  Steamship  Coil 
pany.  Limited;  State  Line,  The  State  Steamship  Company,  Limited;  Warren  Lini 
Tapscott,  Smith  &  Co. :  White  Star  Line,  Ismay,  Imrie  &  Co. 

LivjaRPOOL,  January  1,  1891. 


Ill  \)t 

t 

lefTi 


i 


ENFORCExAIENT    OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  13 

Form  of  license. 
White  Star  Line— Agent^s  Authority  for  188—. 

I, ,  of  Liverpool,  in  the  county  of  Lancaster,  one  of  the  partners  in, 

and  on  behalf  of,  the  firm  of ,  carrying  on  the  business  of  merchants  at 

10  Water  street,  Liverpool,  do  hereby  nominate  and  appoint  yon,  Mr. , 

to  act  as  my  agent  and  on  my  behalf  in  the  sale  or  letting  of  passages,  and  other- 
wise in  the  business  of  a  passage  broker,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  "Pas- 
sengers' act,  1855  and  1863." 

Liverpool, ,  188 — . 

Countersigned : 


t 


Chief  Emigration  Officer. 

HOLLAND. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  the  law  respecting  the  transit  and 
conveyance  of  emigrants  from  ports  within  the  realm : 

Act  of  the  15th  of  July,  1869,  respecting  the  transit  and  conveyance  of  emigrants. 

Art,  1.  Foreign  emigrants  shall  be  allowed  to  pass  through  the  Netherlands, 
although  unprovided  with  passports  or  other  safe  conducts,  upon  simply  presenting 
themselves,  provided  the  object  of  their  journey  is  satisfactorily  stated  to  the  proper 
authorities  on  the  frontiers  or  at  the  first  place  at  which  tliey  shall  arrive. 

Art.  2.  The  examination  required  by  Art.  1  shall  be  conducted  by  the  chief  of  the 
police  on  the  frontier  or  at  the  first  place  of  arrival.  He  shall  be  authorized  to 
grant  a  pass  to  emigrants.  This  pass  shall  have  the  force  of  a  permission  to  reside 
for  the  time  of  two  months. 

He  shall  also  afford  them  all  the  information  necessary  to  facilitate  the  journey 
to  the  port  of  embarkation. 

Art.  3.  Foreign  emigrants  who  have  not  left  the  country  within  the  term  of  two 
months  shall  provide  themselves  with  a  permit  according  to  the  law.  Should  their 
departure  have  been  delayed  by  unavoidable  reasons,  the  pass  mentioned  in  the  Ist 
section  of  the  preceding  article  shall  be  prolonged  for  a  period  to  be  fixed  by  the 
chief  of  the  police  at  the  place  where  the  emigrant  may  be  staying. 

Before  granting  of  the  permit  prescribed  in  the  first  section,  foreign  emigrants 
whose  presence  may  endanger  the  safety  of  the  public  may  be  sent  out  of  the  coun- 
try upon  our  warrant  according  to  the  law  relating  to  aliens. 

Art.  4.  Commissioners  for  superintending  the  conveyance  of  emigrants  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  governor  of  the  province  in  such  districts  as  are  indicated  by  us,  in 
accordance  with  instructions  to  be  given  by  us. 

The  commissioners  shall,  if  possible,  include  members  of  the  chambers  of  com- 
merce and  manufactures,  and  members  of  the  municipal  council,  together  with  per- 
sons well  acqmainted  with  matters  relating  to  navigation. 

The  necessary  expenses  of  the  commissioners  shall  be  defrayed  by  a  fixed  annual 
payment  out  of  the  exchequer. 

In  districts  where  no  commissioners  have  been  appointed,  the  mayor  and  alder- 
men shall  be  instructed  to  regulate  the  conveyance  of  emigrants.  The  stipulations 
of  this  act  relating  to  the  emigration  commissioners   are  made  applicable  to  them. 

Art.  5.  The  police  shall  be  bound  to  render  every  assistance  to  the  commissioners 
iu  enforcing  this  law  and  the  regulations  that  may  be  prescribed  by  us  for  carrying 
it  into  effect. 

At  the  requisition  and  in  the  presence  of  one  of  the  commissioners,  they  shall  be 
authorized  at  any  time  to  go  on  board  of  vessels  indicated  in  Art.  11,  as  being  ready 
for  the  conveyance  of  emigrants,  and  also  to  enter  the  dwelling-houses  where  emi- 
grants may  be  lodging,  notwithstanding  any  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  inmates. 

Art.  6.  Besides  the  powers  which,  by  this  act  and  by  the  general  regulations,  as 
detailed  in  Art.  24,  are  granted  to  the  Emigration  commissioners,  it  shall  form  part 
of  their  duty : 

To  offer  aid  and  protection,  and  give  advice  and  information  to  emigrants ; 
,     To  use  their  endeavours  in  arranging  any  differences  that  may  arise  between  emi- 
I  grants  and  passage  brokers  or  their  agents,  or  between  emigrants  and  the  persons 
mentioned  in  Art.  17 ; 

To  inspect,  or  cause  to  be  inspected,  all  vessels  which  have  been  reported  as  ready 
for  the  passage  of  emigrants,  in  conformity  with  Art.  14,  as  also  the  houses  in  which 
emigrants  may  be  lodging ; 

To  superintend  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  emigrants. 

Art.  6a.  The  emigration  commissioners  shall  also  be  empowered  to  issue  certifi- 


14      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

cates,  on  application,  (1)  to  innkeepers  for  tlie  board  and  lodging  of  emigrants ;  (! 
to  all  persons  who  may  be  desirous  of  ofl'ering  any  services  to  emigrants. 

These  certificates  shall  be  issued  gratis,  and  always  for  one  year,  and  shall  1 
subject  to  revocation  by  the  commissioners  at  any  time. 

Art.  7.  Any  person  undertaking,  either  on  his  own  account  or  as  agent,  to  conve 
Dutch  or  foreign  emigrants  from  the  Netlierlands  to  a  place  out  of  Europe  shal 
notwithstanding  whether  the  embarkation  takes  place  in  a  Netherland  or  a  foreig 
port,  previously  provide  real  or  personal  bail  as  a  guarantee  for  the  fulfillment  < 
the  conditions  Avhich  are  binding  upon  him  in  virtue  of  this  act  and  of  the  regul 
tions  Avhich  may  be  imposed  by  us,  according  to  Art.  24 ;  such  bail  to  be  placed  at  ' 
disposal  of  the  emigration  conmiissioners  in  the  district  where  the  vessel  for 
conveyance  of  emigrants  is  reported  and  inspected.  The  amount  of  the  bail  is  to  I 
fixed  by  the  commissioners  and  shall  not  exceed  ten  thousand  guilders.* 

In  case  any  part  of  the  bail  should  have  been  employed,  it  shall  be  made  up  t 
the  original  amount  within  the  term  to  be  fixed  by  the  commissioners. 

If  personal  bail  be  offered  only  those  who  are  established  in  the  country  and  wb 
are  approved  by  the  conmiissioners  shall  be  accepted,  and  they  shall  become  boun 
conjointly  wdth  the  principal  surety. 

Art.  8.  The  passage-broker  shall  be  responsible  to  the  emigration  commissione: 
for  the  due  fulfillment  of  the  obligations  which,  by  virtue  of  this  act  and  ^f  the  re( 
ulations  to  be  enacted  by  us,  according  to  Art.  24,  shall  devolve  upon  him. 

Should  the  passage-broker  neglect  to  fulfill  all  the  obligations  which  he  has  undei 
taken  the  comir  issioners  shall  perform  the  same  at  his  cost,  and,  if  necessary,  a 
that  of  his  co-sureties. 

If  in  any  action  for  neglect  of  duty,  as  mentioned  in  the  preceding  section,  whic 
the  commissioners  shall  bring  against  the  passage-broker  or  his  sureties,  the  con 
missioners  be  condemned  to  pay  damages  and  costs,  such  damages  and  costs  sha 
be  defrayed  by  the  State. 

In  the  absence  of  any  other  proof,  the  passage-broker  shall  be  considered  to  hav 
fulfilled  all  the  conditions  binding  upon  him,  in  case  within  a  x)eriod  of  one  yea 
after  the  arrival  of  the  vessel  at  the  place  of  destination,  indicated  in  the  statemen 
mentioned  in  Art.  16,  no  claim  shall  have  been  brought  in  against  him,  before 
authorized  commissioners,  with  reference  to  the  conveyance  of  emigrants  by  tha 
vessel. 

Art.  9.  The  passage-broker  shall  deliver  to  each  emigrant  whom  he  has  unde 
taken  to  provide  with  a  passage  a  written  statement  signed  by  the  said  broker,  whic 
shall  contain — 

The  emigrant's  surname,  christian  names,  age,  profession  or  trade,  and  last  plao 
of  residence,  and  also  the  name  of  the  place  to  which  the  emigrant  is  desirous  of  be 
ing  conveyed; 

The  amount  of  passage-money  to  be  paid  by  the  emigrant,  including  the  cost  oj 
provisions,  and  a  statement  of  the  amount  which  he  may  have  already  paid  on 
count  of  these  charges ; 

The  number  of  cubic  metres  to  which  the  emigrant  shall  be  entitled  free  of  charge 
for  the  stowage  of  his  baggage ; 

The  name  of  the  vessel  and  of  the  place  where  she  is  lying,  the  nam©  of  the  maste: 
and  the  day  on  which  the  emigrants  must  be  on  board ; 

If,  during  the  voyage,  a  change  of  conveyance  has  to  be  made,  either  in  p]urop 
or  elsewhere,  then  in  addition  the  name  and  address  of  the  agents  at  that  place,  wh 
will  have  to  provide  the  emigrant  with  the  means  of  continuing  his  voyage  to  ' 
place  of  his  destination. 

These  statements  shall  be  written  in  Dutch  and  German  or  in  either  of  those  lanll 
guages  which  may  be  spoken  by  the  emigrant. 

Any  alterations  subsequently  made  in  the  statement,  and  all  receipts  of  passagi 
money  shall  be  entered  therein. 

The  said  statements  shall  be  produced  and  signed  at  the  proper  emigration  offic«  ' 
previous  to  the  departure. 

Art.  13.  Before  the  departure  of  the  vessel,  the  passage-broker  shall  efi'ect  an  in 
surauce  by  which  the  insurer  shall  bind  himself  in  case  of  disasters  at  sea,  to  mak( 
good  all  expenses  for  the  maintenance  of  the  emigrants  while  the  ship  is  undergo 
ing  repairs  or  for  their  passage  to  the  place  of  their  destination  in  case  the  vossot 
should  not  be  able  to  proceed  on  the  voyage.  1 

Art.  15.  No  ship  having  emigrants  on  board  shall  be  allowed  to  clear  out  but  oi 
the  exhibition  of  a  certificate  from  the  emigration  commissioners  to  the  effect  thai 
there  is  no  reason  why  such  clearance  should  not  take  place. 

The  commissioners  shall  refuse  to  issue  the  said  certificate  if  the  ship  is  unsea 
worthy  or  not  fitted  out  according  to  existing  regulations,  or  not  provided  with  tin 
necessary  accommodation,  or  should  their  exist  any  other  reasons  which  may  rendei^ 
the  sailing  of  the  ship  unadvisable  for  the  welfare  of  the  emigrants. 

The  commissioners  shall  without  delay  inform  the  passage-broker  of  their  reaso; 


^$3,800.00. 


1 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     15 

for  withholding  the  certificate,  and,  if  he  thinks  tit,  he  may  appeal  against  their  de- 
'  sision  to  the  mayor  and  aldermen  of  the  place  where  the  emigrants  were  to  embark; 
^  DT,  in  case  they  are  acting  for  the  commissioners,  then  to  the  deputed  States  of  the 

prorince. 
1     Art.  17.  Any  person  undertaking,  either  as  principal  or  agent,  the  conveyance  of 
t  Dutch  or  foreign  emigrants  from  any  place  in  the  Netherlands  to  any  other  place  in 
^  Europe,  or  taking  any  part  as  agent  in  promoting  such  conveyance,  notwithstand- 
rig  whether  the  embarkation  may  take  place  in  a  Netherland  or  a  foreign  port,  shall 
leposit  with  the  emigration  commissioners,  or  where  there  are  no  such  commission- 
ers, with  the  local  authorities  of  his  jilace  of  residence,  real  or  personal  bail  in  a  sum 
not  exceeding  five  thousand  guilders,*  and  under  the  same  conditions  as  those  im- 
posed by  Art.  7. 

He  shall  not  be  allowed  to  undertake  the  conveyance  of  emigrants  to  any  place  out 
)f  Europe. 
.     The  conditions  imposed  by  Art.  8  are  made  applicable  to  him. 
;     Art.  21.  It  shall  be  prohibited  to  sell  or  offer  for  sale  to  emigrants,  before  they 
have  reached  their  port  of  destination,  contract  tickets,  by  which  they  may  continue 
their  journey. 

The  passage-broker  referred  to  in  Art.  7  may,  however,  undertake  the  conveyance  of 

emigrants  beyond  the  port  of  arrival  according  to  a  contract  to  be  subscribed  by  him. 

Art.  22%  Persons  who  are  not  qualified  according  to  this  act  shall  be  prohibited 

from  advertising  in  newspapers,  posting  up  bills,  hanging  out  boards,  or  taking 

iny  means  whatever  for  making  it  known  that  they  are  emigration  agents. 

The  police  shall  be  authorized  to  remove  all  such  bills,  boards,  and  other  similar 
objects. 
Art.  23.  Any  person  violating  the  first  section  of  Art.  7,  and  of  Art.  17,  shall  be 
I  mbject  to  a  penalty  of  not  less  than  one  hundred  nor  more  than   five  hundred 
guilders  ;t 

The  2nd  section  of  Art.  7,  though  the  violation  is  committed  by  the  persons  men- 
tioned in  Art.  17  and  Art.  16,  to  a  penalty  of  not  less  than  ten  nor  more  than  twenty- 
dve  guilders  for  each  day's  delay; 

Art.  9,  18,  and  22,  to  a  penalty  of  not  less  than  twenty-five  nor  more  than  one  hiin- 
ired  guilders ; 

Art.  20,  to  a  penalty  of  not  less  than  twenty-five  nor  more  than  one  hundred 
guilders  for  each  emigrant  from  whom  remuneration  may  have  been  received ; 
,     Art.  21,  to  a  penalty  of  not  less  than  twenty-five  nor  more  than  one  hundred 
\  |uilder8  for  each  emigrant  to  whom  a  contract  ticket  may  have  been  sold  or  offered 
for  sale. 

Art.  25.  In  all  ships  which  come  under  the  restrictions  of  this  act  copies  of  tlie 
same  in  Dutch,  German,  English,  and  French,  as  also  of  the  general  enactment 
;  mentioned  in  the  preceding  article,  shall  be  affixed  in  places  where  the  same  shall 
be  visible  and  of  easy  access. 

Art.  27a.  The  local  magistrate  at  the  place  of  embarkation  shall  take  cognizance 

3f  all  personal  actions,  or  actions  having  reference  to  personal  property,  to  which 

smigrants  may  be  parties,  so  far  as  these  actitms  arise  out  of  contracts  or  things 

imie  at  the  place  of  embarkation,  or  as  regards  foreign  emigrants,  with  respect  to 

!  their  passage  through  the  country ;  with  power  of  appeal  in  case  the  action  shall  be 

I  for  a  sum  exceeding  four  hundred  guilders. 

f     Should  there  be  more  than  one  magistrate  at  the  port  of  embarkation,  the  plaintiff 
shall  have  the  power  of  selecting  the  one  before  whom  the  action  is  to  be  brought. 

In  the  usual  notice  by  summons  at  least  two  clear  days  shall  be  allowed  iu  which 
to  enter  an  appearance. 
In  urgent  cases  the  magistrate  may  grant  summonses,  returnable  from  day  to  day, 
k  w  even  from  hour  to  hour,  as  prescribed  in  Art.  7  of  the  code  of  civil  procedure. 

In  accordance  witli  the  provisions  of  the  foregoing  act  the  following 
regulations  have  been  issued  by  the  Government  of  Holland.  Only  those 
portions  are  printed  which  relate  to  the  transit  of  emigrants : 

Art.  3.  The  space  appropriated  to  the  cabins  of  emigrants  shall  not  be  less  than 
1.53  metre  t  in  height,  measuring  from  deck  to  deck. 

For  each  emigrant  there  shall  be  appropriated  a  clear  superficies  of  not  less  than 
1.75  square  metre,  with  a  height  of  1.53  metre,  or  of  1.25  square  metre,  with  1.85 
metre  or  more  in  height. 

Should  the  conveyance  be  made  in  a  steamer,  the  emigrants'  cabins  shall  be  sepa- 
rated from  the  engine-room  by  a  traversing  partition,  at  a  distance  of  at  least  one 
metre. 

Art.  6.  No  emigrants  shall  be  berthed  between  decks,  or  upon  what  is  called  an 
'■  orlop-deck,  without  the  written  consent  of  the  emigration  commissioners,  and  ac- 
'   cording  to  the  conditions  attached  to  that  consent. 


*$1, 900.00.  ^  A  guilder  is  equivalent  to  38  cents.  | Metre  is  39^  inches. 


I 


16      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Art.  7.  Detached  cabins,  separated  from  the  cabins  of  the  other  emigrants  bj 
Jath-work,  shall  be  appropriated  to  unmarried  emigrants  of  the  male  sex  who  hai 
attained  the  age  of  fourteen  years. 

Art.  8.  The  space  appropriated  to  the  cabins  for  emigrants  shall  be  provided  wit' 
the  proper  means  for  ventilation. 

Should  circumstances  prevent  the  use  of^those  means,  the  master,  in  consultatio:] 
with  the  doctor,  should  there  be  one  on  board,  sliall  provide  for  proper  ventilatioB  I 

Art.  10.  The  berths  nieasured  inside  shall  be  at  least  1.85  metre  long,  and  fo|| 
each  person  at  least  0.50  metre  wide. 

There  shall  be  an  open  space  of  at  least  0.15  metre  between  the  lower-deck  anij 
the  bottom  of  the  lowest  tier  of  berths. 

More  than  two  berths  shall  not  be  placed  above  one  another.  The  bottom  of 
upper  tiers  of  berths  shall  be  at  one  half  the  distance  between  the  upper  deck 
the  boitom  of  the  lowesl  tier. 

Art.  11.  The  hammocks  and  cots  shall  be  made  of  sail  cloth  or  strong  cam 
They  shall  be  of  the  same  dimensions  as  the  hammocks  and  cots  used  by  the  ci 
and  provided  with  crane  lines  and  lanyards. 

The  cots  are  principally  intended  for  females.     Double  cots,  or  cots  for  two 
sons,  shall  only  be  used  by  married  couples,  by  two  females,  or  by  two  children 
der  the  age  of  twelve. 

Art.  12.  The  bed-clothes  of  the  emigrants  shall  be  clean  and  kept  in  good  repj 
The  mattresses  shall  be  tilled  with  fresh  and  dry  straw. 

If  possible,  the  bed-clothes  shall  be  brought  on  deck  every  day  and  well  air€ 
Each  cniigraut  shall  attend  to  the  cleanliness  of  his  own  bed-place  and  bed-clothi 

The  hammocks  and  cots,  with  everything  appertaining  to  them,  shall  be  stow« 
away  every  morjiing,  at  an  hour  to  be  specified  by  the  master,  in  a  dry  and  secui 
place,  and  hung  up  again  in  the  evening. 

Art.  13.  During  fine  weather  the  emigrants  shall  remain  on  deck  as  much  as  pe 
Bible.  They  shall  not  remain  between  decks  during  the  day  but  with  the  consent  < 
the  master. 

Everything  which  may  tend  to  render  the  air  impure  in  the  cabins  of  the  ei 
grants  shall  be  rigorously  excluded  by  day  as  well  as  by  night.  J 

These  cabins  shall  be  cleaned  daily  by  the  emigrants,  each  in  his  turn,  as  desi 
nated  by  the  master.  The  necessary  utensils  thereto  shall  be  provided  by  the  pi 
sage-brokers. 

Art.  14.  The  emigrants'  cabins  shall  be  lighted  up  by  the  passage-brokers  froi 
sunset  to  sunrise,  by  means  of  clear  and  brilliant  ships'  lanterns. 

Art.  18.  On  every  vessel  fitted  out  for  the  conveyance  of  emigrants  there  shall  b 
a  separate  place  for  the  treatment  of  the  sick.  In  ships  fitted  out  for  one  hundre* 
emigrants  this  place  shall  be  at  least  1,53  metres  in  height,  with  a  surface  of  at  leas  3 
8  square  metres.  For  a  larger  number  of  emigrants  the  required  space  shall  be  pro 
portionably  increased.  The  restrictions  embodied  in  Art.  8  shall  be  applicable  fr 
this  apartment. 

The  necessary  medicines  and  surgical  instruments  shall  be  subjected  to  an  examll 
ination  and  approval,  before  the  departure  of  the  ship,  according  to  the  regulationlij 
of  Art.  27  of  the  act  of  the  1st  of  June,  1865  (Official  Journal,  N.  61).  • 

The  passage-brokers  shall  provide  a  competent  doctor  on  every  vessel  fitted  on 
for  the  conveyance  of  emigrants  to  any  port  to  the  east  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hop 
or  west  of  Cape  Horn.  'i 

His  duties  shall  commence  previous  to  the  embarkation  of  the  emigrants;  andh 
shall  be  present  at  the  said  embarkation. 

The  master  shall,  so  far  as  may  be  possible,  follow  the  advice  given  to  him  by  th 
doctor  relative  to  the  health  of  the  emigrants. 

Art.  19.  Emigrants  who,  according  to  a  written  certificate  of  a  competent  doctor 
may  be  suffering  from  any  disease  of  a  dangerously  contagious  nature  shall  not  bj 
received  on  board  the  ship.  , 

Should  any  disease  of  a  similar  nature  manifest  itself  among  the  emigrants  affce 
their  embarkation,  but  before  the  sailing  of  the  vessel,  those  emigrants  who,  ac 
cording  to  a  similar  certificate,  may  be  suffering  from  that  disease  shall  be  disenflj 
barked. 

The  emigration  commissioners  shall  not  issue  a  certificate  declaring  that  ther. 
exists  no  reason  against  the  clearing  out  of  the  ship  unless  they  are  assured  tha 
the  sickness  on  board  has  disappeared.  ' 

BELGIUM. 

The  regulations  in  force  in  the  Kingdom  of  Belgium  concerning  th 
trail sportation  of  emigrants  are  provided  for  by  law.     Under  its  pro- 
yisiouis  there  is  a  commission  consisting  of  the  governor  of  the  proving  , 
in  which  the  seaport  is  situated,  the  minister  of  foreign  affairs,  on«|^ 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     17 

nember  of  the  Government  council,  two  merchants,  tlie  Government 
iispector  of  railroads,  and  two  notable  persons  to  be  cliosen  by  tlie 
lovernment.  An  officer  of  the  provincial  government  acts  as  secretary. 
Jhis  board  of  commissioners  is  authorized  to  appoint  a  commission  of 
iispection,  whose  duty  it  is  to  survey  every  vessel  designed  to  carry 
migrants  and  to  see  that  the  provisions  of  the  law  are  properly  executed. 
.'heir  law  also  provides  that  before  any  person  can  act  as  an  agent  for 
he  sale  of  passenger  tickets,  or  engage  in  the  transportation  of  pas- 
engers,  he  must  file  a  bond,  to  be  approved  by  the  Government,  for  the 
um  of  20,000  francs,*  which  sum  is  forfeited  if  the  provisions  of  the  law 
re  not  complied  with.  Article  30  provides  that  single  women  shall 
lave  separate  apartments,  and  ''  access  to  their  quarters  by  any  of  the 
Qasculine  sex  is  rigorously  interdicted  during  the  voyage,  except  to  the 
aptain,  the  second  officer  in  command,  and  the  person  who  is  specially 
barged  with  the  care  of  these  quarters."  In  case  of  any  infringement 
f  this  regulation  the  emigrant  is  requested  to  immediately  notify  the 
Tovernment  commissioner,  who  takes  the  necessary  steps  at  once  to 
•ring  the  offender  to  j)unishnient. 
The  extracts  from  the  law  which  follow  are  printed  in  three  languages 
nd  displayed  in  the  boarding  houses  where  the  emigrants  remain  be- 
ove  sailing,  and  also  on  shipboard. 

Extracts  from  the  Belgian  regulationa,  approved  by  King  Leopold  April  29,  1890,  for  the  transport  of 

emigrants.] 

Useful  advice  for  passengers. 

Art.  3.  The  following  are  the  duties  of  the  committee  of  inspection : 

(1)  To  inspect  and  regulate,  as  far  as  emigration  is  concerned,  the  working  of  the 
'omniittee  of  survey  and  of  the  nava'  commissioner. 

(2)  To  solve  any  difficulties  and  to  settle  amicably  any  disputes  arising  from  the 
onveyance  of  emigrants. 

Art.  8.  The  Government  commissioner  is  appointed  to  superintend  the  execution 
f  the  measures  prescribed  by  the  present  regulations,  and  by  the  instructitms  wliich 
ill  be  given  in  order  to  facilitate  their  application.  He  is  especially  required  to 
jek  every  means  of  improving  the  situation  of  the  emigrants,  Avhile  taking  into 
ccount  the  exigencies  of  trade  and  navigation.  He  must  protect  and  assist  the 
migrants,  and  will  explain  to  them,  if  necessary,  the  rights  to  Avhicli  they  are  eu- 
itled  by  the  Belgian  laws,  or  under  their  contract.  On  his  demand  the  shippers 
re  bound  to  submit  to  him  the  said  contracts  and  all  documents  relating  thereto. 
'  Art.  11.  The  inspecting  doctor  or  his  assistant  will  decide  what  drugs,  instru- 
lents,  and  disinfectants  will  be  required  according  to  the  length  of  the  voyage, 
nd  also  make  certain  of  their  good  quality  and  of  their  conformity  with  his  direc- 
\oji8.  He  will  require  the  medicine-chest  ito  contain  directions  for  the  use  of  each 
ind  of  drug.  If  there  is  a  dispensing  room  on  board,  his  duty  is  to  inspect  it.  As- 
isted  by  the  ship  surgeon,  he  will  go  through  a  most  careful  examination  of  all  be- 
ween-deck  passengers.  This  inspection  must  be  conducted  with  all  needful  pre- 
lution  and  with  every  consideration  for  humanity  and  for  the  personal  dignity  of 
•  e  emigrants.  The  Government  claims  the  right  of  having  any  such  inspections 
)r  the  regular  lines,  and  as  far  as  possible  for  all  others,  carried  out  in  a  closed 
lom,  properly  lighted  and  warmed  in  winter.  The  doctor  may  forbid  the  embark- 
tion  of  any  emigrant  or  passenger  who  is  seriously  ill,  or  who  shows  any  symptoms 
t"  contagious  disease.  Finally,  he  must  examine  and  decide  upon  the  qualifications 
f  the  persons  who  are  appointed  and  shipped  as  medical  officers  in  charge  of  emi- 
rants. 

Art.  12.  Any  emigrant  complying  with  the  conditions  stated  in  article  5  of  the 
migration  law  and  in  article  11  of  the  present  regulations  will  retain  the  right, 
fter  recovery,  of  being  conveyed  to  his  destination  at  the  price  and  under  the  con- 
itions  of  the  contract  for  him  or  herself,  his  or  her  wife  or  husband,  and  the  mem- 
ers  of  their  family  in  direct  and  collateral  lines,  up  to  the  third  degree  of  relation- 
up;  as  well  as  for  the  children  and  young  girls  entrusted  to  his  care,  provided  they 
re  included  in  the  same  contract.  Any  expenses  of  maintenance  during  the  inter- 
al  must  be  borne  by  the  emigrants. 

Art.  16.  Any  person  acting  as  guide  to,  advising  or  influencing,  the  emigrants  in 
iiy  way  during  their  journey  across  country  and  during  their  stay  at  the  port  of 


*  A  Franc  is  equal  to  about  19  cents. 
II.  lux,  37 5§ 


18 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


embarkation  must  "be  provided  with  a  regular  license  delivered  by  an  autborij 
agency,  and  must  be  recognized  by  the  local  authorities. 

In  virtue  of  the  powers  delivered  by  any  authorized  agency,  the  said  agency  rendl 
Itself  responsible  for  the  acts  of  its  proxy.  Such  licenses  are  only  valid  for  iwe] 
months,  and  must  be  signed  by  the  Government  emigration  commissioner  withiii 
fortnight  of  their  issue.  ' 

Art.  17.  Even  if  a  vessel  carries  less  than  twenty-five  emigrants,  they  will  still 
entitled  to  claim  the  intervention  of  the  Government  commissioner  in  order  to  cert 
the  quality  and  quantity  of  provisions  and  to  ensure  due  execution  of  the  shippi 
contract. 

Art.  18.  The  amount  of  demurrage  fixed  by  article  6  of  the  emigration  act 
board  and  lodging  of  the  emigrants,  in  case  of  delays  in  sailing,  is  fixed  at  2  frai 
per  day  for  adults  and  1  franc  for  children  up  to  12  years  of  age  completed.    In 
of  unavoidable  delay  provided  for  in  section  3  of  the  same  article,  the  charterei 
bound  to  board  and  lodge  any  passengers  with  whom  he  has  contracted  in  ests 
lishments  under  the  direct  and  special  inspection  of  the  local  authorities. 

Art.  19.  The  charterer  is  bound  to  convey  the  emigrants  and  their  luggage  toth 
place  of  destination  and  to  provide  for  their  maintenance  until  it  is  reached, 
obligation  extends  even  to  the  case  of  the  vessel  being  prevented,  by  whatever  cai 
(save  by  war  or  blockade),  from  leaving  on  the  day  fixed,  or  from  proceeding  on 
voyage. 

Art.  44.  The  captain  cannot  deprive  passengers  of  access  to  the  deck,  unless  sm 
prohibition  is  justified  by  stress  of  weather,  or  otlier  serious  circumstances, 
regulates  the  meals,  which  are  to  be  three  per  day.     He  is  bound  to  vary  the  fooc 
the  emigrants. 

As  far  as  convenient,  the  passengers  are  to  be  divided  into  messes  of  ten; 
mess  will  then  choose  a  president,  who  receives  the  daily  ration  for  the  whole  m€ 
Three  heads  of  messes  chosen  by  the  emigrants  will,  under  the  authority  of 
captain,  and,  if  necessary,  of  the  special  agent,  take  charge  of  the  equitable  dist 
bution  of  provisions.     The  shipowner  or  the  freighter  are  responsible  for  the  wolj 
of  cooking.      Every  passenger  is  entitled  to  the  ordinary  rations,  even  if  he  1 
brought  additional  provisions  on  board  for  his  own  use.     Smoking  is  forbidden  1 
tween  decks.     The  between-decks  are  to  be  cleaned  every  day  and  purified  wi 
chloride  of  lime,  or  with  any  other  suitable  disinfectant,  at  least  three  times  a  wet 
Each  division  of  the  between-decks  to  be  lighted  by  two  vegetable-oil  lanterns. 

An  additional  lantern  will  be  supplied  by  the  shipowners  for  every  hundred  p; 
seugers.  The  captain  is  bound  to  see  that  both  the  life  boats  and  rafts  are  kept 
good  order,  completely  equipped,  and  ready  for  immediate  use  r.hould  circnmstanc 
require  it.  He  is  also  responsible  for  the  good  condition  of  the  water  pipes  in  i 
event  of  fire,  as  well  as  of  the  buoys  and  life  belts,  in  order  to  ))ermit  of  their  i 
mediate  use.  Every  passenger  has  the  right  to  remain  on  board  for  twenty-fc 
hours  after  the  arrival  of  the  vessel  in  port,  and  to  be  nuiintained  at  the  cost  of  t 
shipowner.  Such  right,  however,  does  not  exist  for  steamers.  The  captain  is  f< 
bidden  to  take  down  or  to  disturb  the  berths  Ijefore  the  expiration  of  such  time  ■ 
loAvance,  unless  the  A^essel  is  bound  to  sail  immediately.  The  captain  will  do  ] 
utmost  to  facilitate  the  unlading  of  the  luggage  and  delivery  of  the  same  in 
condition  to  its  owners.  Any  passenger  having  a  complaint  to  make  can  apply 
the  Belgian  consul  at  the  port  of  arrival. 

Art.  46.  The  captain  is  bound  to  draw  up  according  to  law  such  registration  6,e€ 
as  may  be  required  during  the  passage,  and  to  file  them  at  the  Belgian  consulate 
the  port  of  arrival. 

PROVISIONS. 

The  complete  rations  for  each  passenger  are  fixed  as  follows,  per  week,  reckon! 
two  children,  from  one  to  ten  years,  as  equal  to  one  adult. 


Potatoes kilogram* . 

Biscuits do 

Barley  or  barley  meal gram  t . 

Flour do 

Peas  and  beans do 

Rice do 

Salt  bacon do 

Beef,  salt  or  fresh do 

Butter  (half  of  which  may  be  ex- 
changed for  lard  or  smoked  ba- 
con)   gram.. 

Brown   sugar do 

Prunes  or  dried  fruit do 

Choucroute do 


2^ 
2i 
500 
750 
750 
500 
500 
750 


250 
150 
125 
125 


Stockfish  or  cod gram..  1 

Vinegar centil . 

Herrings,  salted  or  smoked-  .pieces. 

Coffee gram. 

Chicory do  . .  - 

Syrup do  ... 

Dutch  cheese do  — 

Salt do....  5 

Tea do...- 

Pepper do 

New   bread    at  starting    for    each 

adult kilogram. . 

Fresh  water,  per  day Htresl: . 


*  A  kilogram  is  2J  pounds. 


t  Gramme  is  about  15  grains. 


X  Litre  about  2  pint*. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     19 

The  quantity  of  fresh  vegetables  and  onions  to  be  supplied  according  to  the  season 
as  additional  stores  will  be  decided  by  the  committee  of  inspection. 

The  ship  surgeon  will  decide  the  quantity  of  extract  of  meat,  condensed  milk,  and 
sago  to  be  taken  on  board  for  the  use  of  the  sick,  as  well  as  leiuon  or  lime  juice, 
which  will  be  served  out  to  the  passeugers  in  general  according  to  his  directions. 

Such  distribution  is,  however,  only  compulsory  under  the  tropics. 

The  food  is  prepared  by  the  shipowner  and  distributed  three  times  daily,  viz : 

Breakfast  at  8  o'clock,  and  consists  of  coffee,  sugar,  new  bread  or  biscuit,  and 
butter. 

Dinner  at  one  o'clock:  Soup,  beef  or  pork  with  potatoes,  peas  or  beans,  and  bread. 

Supper,  at  6  o'clock  p.  m, :  Coffee  or  tea,  sugar,  biscuit  or  bread. 

In  addition  to  the  above  500  gr.  of  condensed  milk  and  500  gr.  of  milk  flour  shall 
be  allowed  for  each  child  under  three  years  of  age.  For  each  child  between  3  to  7 
and  each  nursing  mother  100  gr.  of  extract  of  meat  must  be  allowed. 

Finally,  twenty  bottles  of  Bordeaux  must  be  provided  for  every  hundred  passengers. 

The  committee  of  inspection  may  authorize  the  substitution  of  dried  provisions 
for  potatoes  in  the  proportion  of  one  kilogram  in  every  live. 

According  to  the  season,  they  may  require  barley,  peas,  and  beans  to  be  replaced  by 
potatoes,  7i  kilogrammes  of  the  former  being  the  equivalent  for  40  kilogrammes  of 
the  latter. 

If  there  is  a  bakery  on  board,  the  quantity  of  biscuit  in  store  may  be  reduced  to 
one  quarter,  and  in  such  case  the  supply  of  iflour  must  be  increased  to  the  amount  of 
the  remaining  three  quarters. 


PRUSSIAN  EMIGRATION  LAWS. 

The  following  are  extracts  from  the  laws  of  the  Prussian  Government 
regulating  emigration,  which  are  published  in  German  and  English: 

r.  Sec.  1.  For  all  those  matters  to  which  this  ordinance  refers,  there  exists,  in  con- 
formity with  the  law  of  the  24th  of  February,  1854,  relating  to  the  chamber  of  com- 
merce, the  "emigration  commission,"  which  is  formed  of  some  members  of  the 
senate,  who  are  also  charged  with  the  government  inspection  over  this  branch  of  busi- 
ness, and  some  members  of  the  chamber  of  commerce. 
Sec.  2.  The  provisions  of  this  ordinance  extend,  with  a  temporary  exception  for 

I  mail  steamers,  to  all  ships  by  which  j)asseugers  are  conveyed  to  any  port  out  of 

'  Europe;  it  is,  however,  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  senate,  after  having  previously 
taken  the  opinion  of  the  emigration  commission  and  Avith  the  consent  of  the  chamber 
of  commerce,  both  to  apply  the  same  to  mail  steamers  and  to  exempo  from  them  ordi- 
nary steamers  that  do  not  carry  the  mails. 

Sec.  3.  No  persons  are  licensed  to  engage  or  convey  passengers  but  those  who 
possess  the  Bremen  citizenship,  who  are  domiciled  in  the  State  of  Bremen,  and  have 

I  given  a  security  approved  of  by  the  emigration  commission. 

I '    'Sec.  4.  With  regard  to  that  security  the  following  special  regulations  are  to  be 

if  observed: 

'.      (1)  The  security  is  to  be  given  to  the  amount  of  five  thousand  rix  dollars,  in  cash, 

I  pledges,  or  by  bail,  and  extends  to  all  obligations  both  towards  the  passeugers  and 
the  Bremen  Government,  iucumbent  upon  the  dispatcher,  whether  he  be  the  dis- 
patcher of  a  ship  (owner,  consignee,  affreighter),  or  whether  he  be  the  dispatcher  of 
passengers  (who  has  entered  into  passage  contracts  with  passengers) ;  especially 
also  to  the  payment  of  any  insurance  premiums  and  penalties. 
I  **•##*## 

(4)  The  security  loses  its  efficacy  with  regard  to  all  those  claims  that  are  not 
legally  asserted  and  notified  to  the  emigration  commission  before  the  expiration 
f  one  year  after  their  arising. 

******* 

Sec.  6.  Masters  of  passenger  ships  are  permitted  to  engage  passengers  for  the  ship 
commanded  by  them  by  order  and  for  account  of  their  owners,  provided  that  the 
latter  have  fulfilled  the  requirements  of  $§  3  et  sequ. ;  however,  the  shipowners  are 
"personally  liable,  towards  the  passengers  and  towards  the  Bremen  Government,  both 
for  the  observance  of  all  the  i^rovisions  of  the  existing  laws  relative  to  the  engage- 
ment of  ships'  passengers  and  for  the  fulfillment  of  their  contract. 
• 

Rule  9  of  Rules. 

The  royal  authorities,  whenever  they  find  it  necessary,  may  prohibit  the  contract- 
jors  or  their  agents  from  displaying  advertisements  of  their  business  in  public  squares, 


20     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

in  hotels  and  inns,  in  railway  or  steamsliip  stations  throughout  the  whole  or  a- 
of  the  district  under  their  control. 

Sec.  7.  Agents  and  subagents  not  authorized  to  conclude  the  sale  of  steainsl 
transport  tickets,  hut  who  are  only  intermediaries,  must  refrain  from  negotiating 
tracts  which  do  not  correspond  to  the  requirements  of  the  law  in  sections  one  to 
of  the  regulations.     They  must  send  a  written  report  to  the  local  police  authoi 
whenever  a  person  desiring  to  emigrate  applies  to  them  to  negotiate  for  a  steai 
ticket.     The  last  rule  is  also  applicable  to  inland  contractors  and  agents  whe^ 
authorized  to  sell  transport  tickets  in  all  cases  where  those  desiring  to  emigrat 
ply  directly  to  them. 

A  registry  book  for  all  individuals  booked  is  to  be  kept  by  them,  always  ope 
inspection  by  the  police  authorities,  and  when  demanded  they  are  obligated  to 
the  register  to  the  office  of  the  local  police. 

Agents  are  forbidden  to  negotiate  or  sell  steamship  tickets  outside  the  dis< 
conceded  to  them.     The  Rule  G,  section  4,  is  also  applied  to  them. 

A  copy  of  this  authorization  paper,  given  to  the  subagents  by  their  head  agem  i 
must  be' submitted  to  the  district  administration  with  the  application  for  such  a 
thority,  and  is  to  be  retained  by  the  police  authorities. 

Sec.  10.  Deserters  and  persons  owing  military  service  to  any  State  of  the  Gei 
Confederation,  as  well  as  persons  endeavouring  to  escape  punishment  for  crim^j 
offences  committed  by  them,  or  who  are  affected  with  any  infectious  disease, 
not  be  conveyed. 

The  same  prohibition  applies  to  the  conveyance  of  those  persons  whose  immi 
tion  is  forbidden  by  the  laws  of  the  place  of  destination. 

In  case  of  detection,  all  such  persons  will  be  removed  to  their  respective  homes  1 
the  police  authorities. 

Whoever  knowingly  acts  contrary  to  this  prohibition  not  only  incurs  an  adequa 
penalty,  but  is  also  answerable  for  all  the  expenses  which  may  thereby  accrue  ^t] 
Bremen  Government. 

The  ship-brokers,  in  particular,  are  directed,  under  pain  of  the  same  penalties, 
abstain  from  entering  into  any  passage  contracts  for  such  persons,  and  as  soou 
they  learn  that  any  passengers  engaged  by  them  are  individuals  of  the  kind  afoi 
said,  they  have  to  inform  the  police  authorities  thereof,  and  to  follow  the  furth' 
directions  of  the  same.  | 

Sec.  14.  With  regard  to  the  arrangements  of  the  sea-going  vessel  it  is  enacted :  ' 

(1)  The  between-deck  must  be  at  least  six  feet  high  froiu  deck  to  deck,  and  t  = 
decks  at  least  one  inch  and  a  half  thick.  ' 

(2)  On  board  every  ship  sufficient  ventilation,  with  due  regard  to  the  climate 
which  the  ship  is  to  proceed,  must  be  provided  for,  and  must  be  duly  kept  up  dn. 
ing  the  voyage.     Partitions  in  the  between-deck  that  prevent  the  free  circulati' 
of  the  air  are  forbidden. 

(4.)  The  berths  and  other  sleeping  places  of  the  passengers  must  be  convenit 
and  suitably  arranged;  those  made  of  wood  must  be  constructed  of  dry  wood 
out  sharp  edges,  and  no  more  than  two  tiers  of  berths  must  be  placed  above 
other.     They  must  be,  for  each  person,  at  least  six  feet  clear  in  length,  eighte-j 
inches  in  breadth ;  besides,  the  lower  ones  must  be  at  least  six  inches  from  the  dec 

Sec.  29.  The  following  duties  are  incumbent  upon  the  master  of  everj'^  shij 
which  passengers  are  to  be  conveyed. 

(3.)  He  has  to  treat  the  passengers  humanely,  and  to  take  care  for  a  proper  j 
decent  behaviour  on  the  part  of  the  crew. 

(4.)  He  has  to  take  care  that  the  sleeping  places  of  the  steerage  passengers 
allotted  to  males  above  14  years,  who  go  without  their  families,  in  the  forepart  I 
the  ship;  to  families  in  the  midship;  to  single  females,  going  by  themselves,  in  tl 
after  part  of  the  ship ;  and  that  the  same  are  retained  by  their  tenants  in  these  diflfej 
ent  divisions  during  the  whole  voyage.  \ 

6.  He  has  to  order  and  to  watcli  over  the  requisite  arrangement,  cleaning,  veii' 
lation,  fumigation,  and  lighting  of  the  localities  allotted  to  the  passengers. 

(1)  It  is  prohibited  to  trouble  travellers,  whether  at  the  railway  station,  at  t^ 
landing  place  of  the  steamers,  or  elsewhere,  in  any  way  with  questions,  recoumic 
dations,  etc. ;  or  endeavor  to  tout  them  for  any  inn,  vessel,  vehicle,  or  any  otb 
line  ot  business,  without  prejudice  to  the  officially  approved  intervention  of  t 
intelligence  office  for  emigrants  and  the  persons  employed  by  the  same. 

(2)  For  directing  or  conducting  any  travellers  to  merchants  and  tradespeople, 
order  to  procure  them  purchasers   or    customers,  especially  to  dispatchers,  sli 
brokers,  or  innkeepers,  no  person  may  be  paid  or  promised,  although  it  should  ;i  v^ 
done  but  in  an  indirect  way,  any  remuneration  in  money  or  money's  worth.  I 

(3)  All  persons  are  forbidden  to  sell  any  tickets  for  the  conveyance  of  passengel  ^ 
from  the  transatlantic  landing  place  to  the  place  of  their  destination  in  the  interic    , 

(4)  Whosoever  contravenes  these  prohibitions  (1, 2,  3)  is  liable  to  a  penalty  n    \ 
exceeding  thirty  rixdollars  or  proportionate  imprisonment.    In  case  of  repetition  , 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


21 


ihe  offence,  not  only  will  this  penalty  be  increased,  bnt  the  consequence  for  tlie  per- 
;on8  thus  offending  will  be  that  the  license  which  may  have  been  granted  to  them 
or  the  keeping  of  hackney  coaches,  or  their  appointment  as  porters,  will  be  revoked, 
md  strangers  holding  service  will  no  longer  be  permitted  to  continue  in  such  service 
ind  to  reside  in  the  State  of  Bremen. 

In  accordance  with  section  10  of  the  regulations  concerning  the  conveyance  of 
hip's  passengers  to  transatlantic  countries,  passed  July  9,  1866,  wherein  German  sub- 
ects  whose  emigration  is  prohibited  on  account  of  military  duty,  and  not  allowed 
o  be  conveyed  to  transatlantic  countries,  it  is  the  dutj^  of  ship  agents  employed  in 
(ir warding  emigrants  directly  or  indirectly  by  way  of  a  Bremen  port  to  convince 
liemselves  by  carefully  scrutinizing  the  legitimation  papers  of  passengers  of  Ger- 
aan  nationality  who  are  of  proper  age  for  military  duty,  as  to  their  eligibility  for 
lubarkation ;  otherwise  to  refuse  them  passage. 

Sec.  2.  Any  violation  of  this  regulation  is  punishable  with  a  fine  not  exceeding 
51)  marks,  or  with  arrest. 

Passed  by  the  senate  of  Bremen  September  12  and  published  September  16,  1890. 


mmigration  return  of  Liverpool  steamship  lines  hy  niontlis  from  July  1,  1890,  to  June  SO, 

1891. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers.  I  Steerage  passengers. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


.ansas 

atiilonia 

ervia 

ephalonia 

Iritish  Princess, 
'hio 


'cnnsylvania July 

eythia I  July 

it  y  of  Berlin '  July 

ai'rania July 

Wyoming July 

avouia :  July 

ord  Clive i  July 

'evada I  July 

nibria !  July 

;«thuia j  July 

eiitouic I  July 

it y  of  Chester j  Julj^ 

itannic '  July 

■ika July 

July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 

July 

July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
July 
Jul'y 
July 
July 
July 
July 


lajestic 

ity  of  Kew  York. 

V'isconsin 

allia 

Itruiia 

amaria 

rermanic 

iOrd  Gough 

i-rizona 

'eutonic 

ity  of  Chicago  ... 

ova  Scotian 

•ake  Huron 

-ake  Superior 

-ake  Nepigon 

/ake  Ontario 

ardinian 

"oronto 

'arisian 

■ircassian 

'arthaginian 

amia 

)ominion 

'ancouver 


Total. 


138 

199 

443 

169 

168 

3 

172 

541 

293 

307 

127 

214 

357 

1 

116 

408 

118 

33 

34 

305 

316 

155 

82 

360 

2 

155 

16 

153 

181 

120 

46 

30 

72 

13 

63 

92 


211 
57 
26 
51 
22 

149 


138 

193J 

431 

157^ 

164i 

3 
158 
532^ 
28.5^ 
299^ 
125 
209i 
333 
1 
114 
396i 
llOi 

31i 

34 
300 
307 
144 

771 
345i 

2 
152^ 

15i 
146i 
178 
118i 

42 

27i 

69i 

12i 

61 

90 


202 
55i 
24i 
49i 
21 

143i 


91 

327 
443 
316 

95 
328 
100 
163 

84 
152 
929 
341 
419 
221  ) 


349 

344 

257 

206 

219 

,003 

604 

100 

73 

264 

177 

294 

133 

94 

658 

339 

87 

16 

15 

14 

30 

112 

29 

271 

157 

2 

35 


177 


6,518 


6, 303i 


10,068 


82 
291i 
404^ 
292 

94i 
305i 

89^ 
139i 

69 
131 
833 
314 
388 
203 


314 

319^ 

233^ 

175i 

194i 

910 

548i 

88i 

65 
244 
157 
244i 
109 

85 
608 
315 

63 

16 

15 

13i 

27i 
104i 

28 

247i 

137i 

2 

35 


9,098 


22  ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

Immigration  return  for  month  ending  August,  1890. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Etruria 

Aurania 

Scythia  

City  of  Richmond . 

Umbria 

City  of  Berlin 

City  of  Rome 

Pennsylvania 

British  Prince 

City  of  Chicago  . . . 
City  of  New  York. 

Cephalonia 

Italy 

Germanic 

Majestic 

Teutonic 

Wisconsin 

Aurania 

Ohio 

British  Princess. . . 

Umbria 

Caspian 

Pavonia 

Nevada  : 

City  of  Chester — 

Ser.ia 

Alaska 

Lord  Clive 

Catalonia 

Britannic 

"Wyoming 

Polynesian 

Parisian 

Lake  Nepigon 

Lake  Huron 

Lake  Superior 

Carthaginian 

Dominion 

Vancouver 

Toronto 

Sarnia 

Sardinian 

Lake  Ontario 

Corean 

Circassian , 

Oregon 


Total. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers. 


Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 
Aug. 


Souls.   Adults. 


136 

188 

28 

38 

312 

74 


109 

104  J 

7 

7 

36 

34^ 

93 

88 

28 

27 

95 

244 

163 

43 

57 

23 

12 

132 

17 

44 

64 

66 

130 

116 

12 

12 

135 


104 

2 

6 

31 

21 


47 


2,921 


131 

1831 
28 
36 

302i 


90i 
238^ 
161i 

39 

56i 

221 

11^ 
129 

14 

43i 

58 

61 

124^ 
108^- 

10| 

Hi 

128 

25 

60 

103 

2 

6 

30J 

18J 


50^ 

7 
28 
73 
27 


43J 


2, 799i 


Steerage  passengers.  I 


Souls.   Adults. 


293 
314 
218 
156 
375 
249 
272 

77 
125 
187 
302 
227 
1 
241 
737 
532 

62 
219 
145 
142 
263 

45 
225 

91 
127 
344 
284 
120 
176 
243 
144 

80 

202 

3 

11 

15 

4 

9 

114 

7 

24 
125 

30 

1 

117 

32 

7,710 


274 

2781 

195 

141i 

338 

232 


1^ 


279i 
2061 

215| 
666| 
472* 

56 
2051 
125| 
118 
248| 

37 
201 


110^ 
7 

20} 
114 
24i 
1 
109jr 


6,995i 


ENfQECEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


23 


Immigration  return  for  month  ending  Septeniber,  ISDO. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers. 


Souls.       Adults. 


Steerage  passengers. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


Tolynesian 

Lake  Winnipeg 

Oregon 

Nova  Scotian... 


Parisian. 


Dominion 

Vancouver 

Circassian 

Toronto  

Caspian 

Lake  Huron 

Lake  Superior. . 
City  of  Berlin  . . 

Bothnia  

Samaria 

Arizona 

City  of  Rome... 

Scythia  

Lord  Gough 

Britannic 

British  Prince.. 

Pavonia 

City  of  Chester. 

Servia 

Gallia 

Etruria 

Nevada  

Cephalonia 

Majestic. 


City  of  Chicago 

•Alaska 

'Germanic 

iCatahmia 

City  of  New  York. 
lAu'rania 

Teutonic  

.Umbria 

City  of  Rome 

Lord  Clive 

Wyoming 

Pennsylvania 

Lake  Nepigon 


Total. 


Sept.  6 
Sept.  G 
Sept.  8 
Sept.  11 
Sept.  13 
Sept.  14 
Sept.  14 
Sept.  28 
Sept.  29 
Sept.  25 
Sept.  19 
Sept.  12 
Sept.  5 
Sept.  6 
Sept.  3 
Sept.  4 
Sept.  1 
Sept.  10 
Sept.  8 
Sept.  4 
Sept.  15 
Sept.  16 
Sept.  12 
Sept.  15 
Sept.  19 
Sept.  20 
Sept.  19 
Sept.  19 
Sept.  10 
Sept.  10 
Sept.  19 
Sept.  19 
Sept.  24 
Sept.  24 
Sept.  24 
Sept.  24 
Sept.  27 
Sept.  29 
Sept.  28 
Sept.  28 
Sept.  22 
Sept.  28 


88 


39 
91 
18 

138 
52 
20 

162 
42 
53 
96 
11 
84 
73 

159 

198 

80 

1 

40 


4 
17 
18 
79^ 


70^ 
42i 

6 
24 

6 
11 
31 

1 


1 

77J 
4 


38 

89 

16 
136i 

49 

19i 
lo5i 

39i 

50 

94 

11 

79^ 

72 
159 
190 

75i 
1 

31^ 


2,011 


l,826i 


74 

9 

14 

91 

^76 
14 
91 

159 


41 

10 

18 

202 

27 

154 

119 

235 

142 

76 

218 

100 

170 

125 

296 

92 

277 

68 

219 

627 

135 

68 

261 

134 

301 

195 

502 

307 

180 

81 

63 

67 

7 


6,U5 


63^ 
8i 

m 

82i 
161i 

81 
130 


35^ 

10 

16 
173 

25i 
138i 
105 
204i 
123 

68i 
201i 

80 
156 
105 
271i 

83^ 
257 

61 

193i 
563i 
124^ 

64 
229 
124i 
271 
179^ 
458 
278 
175i 

66 

53 

58§ 
oh 


5,509 


Including  30 


24  ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS. 

Immigration  return  for  month  ending  October,  1890. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cal)in  passengers. 


Souls.       Adults. 


Steerage  passengers. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


Germanic 

City  of  Ne-w  York 

Lord  Gough 

Nevada 

Aurania 

Catalonia 

Teutonic 

Alaska 

TJmbria 

City  of  Home 

City  of  Berlin 

British  Prince 

Dominion 

Samia 

Toronto 

Vancouver 

Oregon 

Lake  AMnnipeg  .  - . 

Pavonia 

GaUia 

Etruria 

■Wyoming , 

Oli'io 


Majestic 

Scythia 

Servia 

City  of  Chester . . 

Samaria 

Britannic 

British  Princess. 

Arizona 

Wisconsin 

Bothnia 

City  of  Berlin  ... 
City  of  Chicago. . 

Lake  Ontario 

Lake  Superior. . . 

Lake  Huron 

Parisian 

Polynesian 

Carthaginian 

Sardinian 

Nova  Scotian  . . . 
Corean 


Oct.  17 

Oct.  18 

Oct.  21 

Oct.  24 

Oct.  26 

Oct.  29 

Oct.  22 

Oct.  30 

Oct.  25 

Oct.  27 

Oct.  31 

Oct.  28 

Oct.  22 

Oct.  5 

Oct.  3 

Oct.  24 

Oct.  13 

Oct.  11 

Oct.  21 

Oct.  17 

Oct.  19 

Oct.  — 

Oct.  15 

Oct.  8 

Oct.  13 

Oct.  12 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Oct. 

Oct.  3 

Oct.  18 

Oct.  25 

Oct.  17 

Oct.  12 

Oct.  8 

Oct.  4 

Oct.  23 

Oct.  25 


125 
91 

1 

48 

80 

10 

212 

114 

219 

64 

27 


19 

4 

145 

37 

3 

238 

50 

103 

28 


Total. 


2 
104 
31 
16 
77 
19 

1 

2,280 


115 

81 

1 

45 

78 

9i 

203 

106J 

214^ 

62 

26i 


22 

18i 

11 

9^ 

59 

53 

22 

21i 

17i 

4 

141 

34 

3 

235 

48 

101^ 

28 


60^ 

2 
77^ 
28i 

7 

37 

37 

18 

6 

2 

100^ 

29i 

16 

73^ 

18i 

1 

2,174 


246 

301 

72 

51 

214 

162 

448 

147 

308 

225 

210 

64 

14 

29 

5 

123 

39 

16 

120 

39 

302 

92 

128 

594 

148 

306 

80 

95 

209 

146 

85 

63 

20 

158 

168 

32 

21 

10 


105 
71 


2231  i 
284^ 


1£ 
146 


192 

5? 

1081 

33 

lOi 
115i 

35 
269 

83 
108| 
529 
135 
284 

72i 

84J 

20 
140 
1601  iM 

28      ■ 

18 

10 
146 


97 
55| 


5,923 


5,339 


f 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


25 


Immigration  return  for  month  ending  Novemher,  1890. 


'  Exclusive  of  passengers  landed  at  Moville, 


26     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Immigration  return  for  month  ending  December,  1890. 


l^"ame  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers. 


Souls.       Adults. 


Steerage  patsengert. 


Souls.        Adults, 


Majestic 

City  of  XowTork. 

Arizona 

Aurania 

Scy thia  

Lord  Gough 

Catalonia 

Alaska 

City  of  Chester  . . . 

Servia 

Cephalonia 

British  Prince 

City  of  Chicago  . . . 

Cit'v  of  Berlin 

Gallia 

Pavonia 

Britannic 

Lord  Clive 

British  Princess  . . 

Majestic 

Germanic 

Teutonic 

"Wyoming 

Sardinian 

Wisconsin 

Etr-iria 

Nova  Scotiau 

Sarnia 

Caspian 

Lake  Huron 

Toronto 

Circassian 

Oregon 


Dec.  3 
Dec.  — 
Dec.  18 
Dec.  22 
Dec.  — 
Dec.  — 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  3 
Dec.  6 
Dec.  8 
Dec.  9 
Dec.  9 
Dec.  — 
Dec.  — 
Dec.  29 
Dec.  31 
Dec.  26 
Dec.  23 
i  Dec.  31 
Dec.  31 
Dec.  12 
Dec.  17 
Dec.  — 
Dec.  22 
Dec.  13 
Dec.  15 
Dec.  4 
Dec.  17 
Dec.  18 
Dec.  6 
Dec.  31 
Dec.  8 
Dec.  31 


Total 


218 

138 

74 

119 


185 
65 

217 

8 

43 

50 

180 


213 

133 

72 

115^ 

9 

8 

6 
71 
18i 
49 

8 

2 
38 
21 
18 

5 
64 


2 
180i 
64 
214 
8 
41 
45 
177 


936 

844 

237 

592 

203 

73 

80 

229 

121 

458 

196 

47 

436 

198 

212 

76 

287 

88 

51 

434 

554 

1,244 

129 

329 

112 

689 

48 

134 

43 

15 

51 

292 

34 


879 
81 

2: 

571 


29| 


76 

221 

112^ 

4471 

419^ 

179 

201| 

74 
273 

79 

45 
43U 
538 
1,181 
123 
314 
106 
67U 

42 

15 
46i 

281 


1.701 


1,  653^ 


9,472 


Immigration  return  for  month  ending  January  31,  1891. 


Name  of  steamer. 

Date  of 
arrival. 

Cabin  passengers. 

Steerage  passengers.  | 

Souls. 

Adults. 

Souls. 

Adults.    ] 

Jan.     1 
Jan.     1 
Jan.     3 
Jan.     4 
,7  an      6 

6 

8 
37 
24 
23 

^1 

35 
24 
23 

7 

29 

126 

162 

28 

40 

168 

258 

74 

74 

54 

51 

240 

23 

21 

69 

73 

162 

162 

347 

143 

42 

64 

11 

3 

235 

lefl 

1 

69 

37i 
58i 

11     i 
2 

229    1 

Parisian  ........... 

Servia 

Nevada 

Catalonia    .          . 

Jan.     8 
Jan.     9 
Jan.    10 
Jan.    11 
Jan.   13 
Jan.   13 
Jan.   14 
Jan.    16 
Jan.   16 
Jan.   19 
Jan.   19 
Jan.   21 
Jan.   21 
Jan.    23 
Jan.   24 
Jan.   24 
Jan.    27 
Jan.   29 
Jan.   29 
Jan.   30 
Jan.   30 

Germanic 

62 

170 

9 

61 
166 

8^ 

City  of  Chester 

Lord  Gough 

20 

17 

68 

13 

1 

24 

24 

32 

121 

208 

28 

14 

35 

26 

674 
11 

1 
21 

116 
206 

?^ 

Cephalonia 

Adriatic 

British  Prince 

Circassian 

"Wisconsin 

Bothnia 

Britannic 

Etruria 

City  of  Chicago 

Sarnia T. 

Wyoming 

Caspian 

Ohio 

Celtic :..;■ 

42 

41 

Total 

1,012 

978J 

2,666 

2, 5171 

ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


27 


Immigration  return  for  month  ending  February  28,  1891. 


U'ame  of  steamer. 


Pate  of 
arrival. 


LordCUve '  Tab.     1 

Nevada Feb.     2 

Gallia Feb.     2 

Sardinian* Feb.     2 

City  of  Berlin j  Feb.     6 

Gterraanic I  Feb.     6 

Umbria Feb.     7 

Aurania Feb.     8 

Britisb  Princess |  Feb.     9 

Pavonia I  Feb.   10 

Lake  Ontario 

Oregon 

Adriatic 

Toronto* 

Polynesian 

Teutonic 

City  of  Chicago 

"  jrvia 

Wisconsin 

City  of  Xew  York 

Catalonia 

Lord  Gough 


Total. 


Feb.  ]0 
Feb.  10 
Feb.  14 
Feb.  14 
Feb.  17 
Feb.  18 
Feb.  22 
Feb,  23 
Feb.  23 
Feb.  25 
Feb.  25 
Feb.   26 


Cabin  passengers. 


Souls.       Adults. 


18 
41 
31 
27 
68 
132 
85 

3 
16 

2 


44 


25 

173 

32 

37 

19 

92 

6 

5 


856 


161 
38^ 
30^ 
26 
67 
130^ 
85 
3 

14 
2 


43§ 


25 
171 
30 
36^ 

4^ 


838i 


Steerage  passengers. 


Souls. 


33 

25 

155 

56 

180 

120 

256 

•168 

41 

84 

4 

30 

271 

28 

55 

344 

84 

157 

26 

437 

58 

56 


Adults, 


30J 
24^ 
150 

155 
116^ 
252 
154 

34i 

78 
4 

30 
254 

25 

52i 
312 

60i 
151i 

23 
405 

52i 

49i 


2,466 


*  Exclusive  of  passengers  landed  at  MovUle. 
Immigration  return  for  month  ending  March  31,  1891. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers. 


Soiils.      Adults. 


Steerage  passengers. 


Souls.        Adults 


Btmria 

Mongolian* 

Celtic 

Circassian 

Miyestic 

Cephalonia 

British  Prince 

City  of  Berlin 

TJmbria 

"Wyoming 

Ohio 

Aurania 

Samia* 

Adriatic 

Nevada 

Michigan 

Lord  Clive 

Teutonic 

Pavonia 

City  of  Chicago  ... 

Sorvia 

Oregon 

City  of  New  York. 

"Wisconsin 

British  Princess. . . 

Lake  Ontario 

Britannic 

Etruria 


Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar.  12 
Mar.  14 
Mar.  16 
Mar.  17 
Mar.  17 
Mar.  18 
Mar.  18 
Mar.  22 
Mar.  22 
Mar.  24 
Mar.  25 
Mar.  25 
Mar.  26 
Mar.  27 
Mar.  27 
Mar.  29 


Total. 


108 

26 

20 

38 

187 

2 

3 

19 
95 


1 

137 

16 

29 

67 


94 

14 

3 

6 

45 

138 


1,223 


103 

23§ 

20 

32 

186| 

2 

3 

17 

95 

22 
3 

42* 

15 

33 

44 


1 
131i 
14 

28 
64J 


92i 

13 

3 

5i 
43i 
133 


1,171 


191 
59 
90 
55 

326 
52 
59 
72 

226 
18 
39 

216 
36 

177 

62 

1 

21 

319 
74 
81 

142 
29 

324 

19 

53 

1 

95 

212 


3,049 


182i 
56J 
86J 
53^ 

303* 
50i 
51* 
68* 

215* 
15* 
31* 

208 
31 

162 
56* 

21 
303* 

69 

78 
132 

26* 
306* 

18 

44 
1 

84* 


Exclusive  of  passengers  landed  at  Moville. 


28 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


Immigration  return  f(yr  month  ending  April,  1891, 


JSavae,  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


Steerage  passengera. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


Majestic 

Polynesian 

City  of  Berlin 

Lord  Gongh 

Aurania 

Vancoii  ver 

Cophalonia 

Indiana 

"Wyoming 

Germanic 

City  of  Chester 

Ombria 

British  Prince 

Teutonic 

Carthaginian 

City  of  Chicago  . . . 

Ohio 

Servia 

Nevada 

Sarnia 

City  of  New  York. 

Pavonia 

Britannic 

Etruria 

Arizona 

Parisian 

Loru  Clive 

Scytliia 

Majestic 


Total. 


Apr.  1 
Apr.  1 
Apr.  3 
Apr.  3 
Apr.  6 
Apr.  6 
Apr.  7 
Apr.  8 
Apr.  9 
Apr.  10 
Apr.  11 
Apr.  11 
Apr.  14 
Apr.  15 
Apr.  16 
Apr.  18 
Apr.  19 
Apr.  19 
Apr.  19 
Apr.  21 
Apr.  22 
Apr.  22 
Apr.  24 
Apr.  25 
Apr.  26 
Apr.  27 
Apr.  28 
Apr.  28 
Apr.  29 


199 
21 
22 
1 
79 
16 


24 

126 
10 

234 
4 

225 
19 
60 
6 
66 
26 
29 

170 
37 

120 

241 
58 

125 


13 
286 


2,226 


196 
20J 
20 

1 
75 


20^ 
118 

10 

230 

4 

220i 

18| 

581 
5i 

65 

24i 

2^ 

164^ 
35^ 

llli 

231i 
49i 

113 


13 

277 


2,131 


297  i 

68  i 

61  I 

33 
161  ! 

39 
114 

23  I 

31  I 
201  i 
163  I 
312  I 

37  I 
487  I 

56 
101 

73 
225 

65 

42 
502 
149 

84 
234 
202 
150 

54 
127 
610 


4,701 


282 
61J 
59 
30| 

153  ' 
3^ 

107 
19i1 
30 

184 

149J 

289^ 
34i 

334i 
53 
93J 
62i 

198 
60^ 
40i 

459 

140 
80 

210 

175J 

126* 
45 

11 5  J 

562 


4,185 


Immigration  return  for  month  ending  May,  1891. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


Steerage  passengers. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


City  of  Berlin 

TJnibria  

Aurania 

British  Princess . . . 

Catalonia 

Wisconsin 

City  of  Chester 

Germanic 

Gallia 

Alaska 

Lord  Gongh 

Polynesian 

Cephalonia 

Teutonic 

City  of  Chicago  . . . 

Lake  Superior 

Servia 

Sardinian 

City  of  New  York. 

Nevada 

Indiana 

Toronto 

Britannic 

Nova  Scotian 

Bothnia 

Etruria 

Arizona 

Mongolian 

Lake  Huron 

Samaria 

British  Prince 

Majestic 

Pavonia 

City  of  Berlin 

Parisian 

Aurania 

Lake  Nepigon 

Oregon 

Vancouver 


May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
]irav 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 
May 


62 
325 
135 


19 
77 
41 

170 
28 

300 
11 
33 
63 

391 
97 
50 

156 
51 

439 


15 
158 

18 

48 
394 

83 


4 
286 
94 
153 
106 
176 


Total; 


4,157 


56i 
314^ 
126^ 


17 

70i 

38i 
164 

25 

262i 

8 

32 

61 
389i 

91i 

48i 
151 

50i 
426 

54i 


11* 
152 

16 

46 
382i 

82i 

21i 
5i 


4 
277 

89 
147t 

94* 
172 


152 
163 
208 

61 
112 

80 
183 
253 

45 
292 

85 
118 
356 
937 
282 
.  35 
298 
146 
595 
101 
105 
1 
192 

42 

67 
102 
298 


10 
2 

74 
936 
338 
178 
176 
312 
2 

33 
124 

7,494 


133 

139^ 

198- 

55 
108i 

61 
163 
228 

40 
263 

75 

96* 
312* 
846 
249* 

28 
269J 
130J 
536 

92 

88* 
1 
181 

33*' 

59 

93 
266i 


? 

67 
866 
291 
159 
155J 
279 
2 

29i 
112i 

6,718 


ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  29 

Immigration  return  for  month  ending  June,  1891. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Cabin  passengers. 


Souls.       Adults. 


Steerage  passengers. 


Souls. 


Adults. 


Ohio 

Scythia  

Sarnia 

City  of  Paris 

Wyoming 

Carthaginian 

Germanic 

Gallia 

Umbria 

Lake  Ontario 

Alaska 

Circassian 

Teutonic 

Lord  Clive 

City  of  Kicliinond- 
Lake  ^A^inni]>eg-.. 

Polynesian 

Servia  

Cephalonia 

British  Princess  . . 
City  of  New  York. 

Caspian 

Wisconsin 

Britannic 

Etruria 

Bothnia. 

Arizona 

Sardinian 

Lake  Superior 

Toronto 

Lord  Gongh 

Samaria 

Majestic 

City  of  Berlin 

Umbria 

Vancouver 

Mongolian 

Lake  Hurcm 

Aurania 

Pavouia 

Dominion 

Oregon 


June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
Jime 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
Jime 
Juno 
June 
June 
June 
Juno 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 
June 


15 

27 

19 

357 

73 
19 

149 
49 
96 
87 

297 
48 

308 


105 
1 

39 
331 
151 

26 
436 

36 
164 
199 
512 

47 
135 
115 

48 
9 

23 

44 
293 
186 
494 
143 

19 

30 

289 

170 

3 


14 
26 
18 

349 
70 
18 

141 
46 


44 
302^ 


lOBi 

1 

35i 

311i 

146^ 

426i 

35 
156i 
190 
498i 

43 

131i 
113 

42 
9 

21 

42i 
289 
182 
481 
134 

m 

29i 
275i 


66 


141 

13 

601 

111 


247 

87 
461 

15 
319 

58 
1,198 

40 

1!)0 

6 

84 
353 
389 
104 
638 

54 
103 
390 

78 

96 
390 
134 

23 
2 

70 

77 

1,015 

263 

100 

87 


13 

356 

280 

6 

37 


128i 
1281 

12i 
570^ 

99 


223 

l^ 
445 

14 
287 

56i 
1,  091J 

37i 

168^ 

6 

73J 
320^ 
351 

95 
567 

48i 

98i 
353i 

73i 

86i 
355 
124i 

66 

72 

926i 

238 

92i 

82^ 


329i 

259^ 

4 

33i 


Total. 


5,661 


5,452 


8,827 


8, 031| 


RECAPITULATION. 


Month . 


1890. 

Jniy 

August 

September 

October 

Noveniber 

December 


Steerage 
passengers. 


10,  068 
7,710 
6,145 
5,923 
6,659 
9,472 


Month. 


1891. 


January . . 

February 

I  March 

1  April 

May 

June , 


Total 


Steerage 
passengers. 


2,666 
2,668 
3,0t« 
4.,  '^(>l 
7,494 
8,827 

75,  382 


30 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


List  of  passengers  from  New  York  to  Bremen  from  July  1, 1890,  to  June  SO,  1891,  incluHt 

NORTHGERMAN  LLOYD. 


Month. 


1890. 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 


Cabin. 


1,823 
937 
6G0 
850 
593 
711 


Steerage. 


2,285 
1,695 
1,574 
1,668 
1,734 
2,123 


Month. 


1891. 

January 

February  

March 

April 

May 

Julie 

Total  ... 


Cabin. 


624 
627 
1,060 
1,810 
2,657 
3,022 


Steerage. 


1,121 
1,177 
1,5( 
1,9: 

3,o; 

2,4( 


15,  374  22, 271 


List  of  steamers  and  number  of  steerage  passengers  from  New  York  to  Antwerp  from  Jul 

If  1890,  to  June  SO,  1891. 

RED  STAR  LLNE. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
arrival. 


Number 
of  souls  in 
steerage. 


Number 
in  steerage 
by  montluu 


"Waesland . . . . 

Pennland 

Friesland 

Noordland  . . . 

Rhynland 

T^'esternland. 

"Waesland 

Friesland 

Noordland  . . . 

Rhynland 

Westernland. 

Waesland 

Friesland 

Noordland  . . . 

Rhynland 

Westernland. 

Waesland 

Friesland 

Noordland  ... 

Rhj'nland 

Westernland. 

Pennland 

Friesland 

Noordland  ... 

Rliynland 

Westernland. 
Waesland  — 


July  6 
July  10 
July  14 
July  21 
July  28 
Aug.  3 
Aug.  12 
Aug.  16 
Aug.  24 
Aug.  31 
Sept.  7 
Sept.  14 
Sept.  20 
Sept.  28 
Oct.  5 
Oct.  11 
Oct.  19 
Oct.  25 
Nov.  3 
Nov.  9 
Nov.  16 
Nov.  24 
Nov.  29 
Dec.  8 
Dec.  15 
Dec.  21 
Dec.   28 

1891. 

Jan.   11 

Jan.   19 


Noordland 

Rhynland 

Westernland j  Jan .   24 

Friesland I  Feb.  23 

Waesland i  Feb.  25 


Westernland . 

Noordland 

Pennland 

Rhynland 

Friesland 

Waesland 

Noordland 

Westernland . 

Pennland 

Friesland 

Waesland 

Rhynland 

Westernland  . 

Noordland 

Pennland 

Friesland 

Waesland  .... 

Rhynland 

Westernland 


Total  souls. 


Mar.  1 
Mar.  9 
Mar.  19 
Mar.  23 
Mar.  29 
Apr.  5 
Apr.  13 
Apr.  19 
Apr.  28 
May  2 
May  10 
May  18 
May  24 
May  31 
June  5 
June  7 
June  14 
June  22 
June  28 


124 

47 
236 
178 
127 
209 

99 
210 
137 
147 
216 
145 
293 
210 
158 
172 
197 
288 
309 
283 
309 
194 
320 
413 
240 
337 
139 

145 
162 
230 
141 

17 
146 
109 
149 

77 
160 

67 
102 

85 
116 
170 
142 
135 
178 
123 

20 
208 
191 
115 
210 


7ia 


864 
815 

1,41& 

1,12» 

537 
1581 

641 
370 

748 

744 


ENFORCEAIENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


31 


List  of  steamers  and  number  of  steerage  passengers,  by  months,  from  July,  1890,  to  June, 

30,  1891. 

COMPAGXEE  Gl5Xf5RALE  TRANSATLA]S^TIQUE. 


Name  of  steamer. 


La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 

La 
La 

La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 
La 


Gascogne  . . . 
Normauflie.. 
Bourgogne . . 

Bretagne 

Champagne  . 
Xoinianaie.. 
Bourgogne.. 
Bretagne  — 
Clianipagne. 
Xormaiidic.. 
Bourgogne. . 
Bri'trtgno- . . 
Cliainpagne 
Gascogne  ... 
Bourgogne.. 

Bretagno 

Cliain])ngne. 
Gascogne  ... 
Nornianrlie. 
Bourgogne  ., 
Charii])agnc 
Ga-seoguc  ... 
Xonnandie.. 
Bourgogne. . 


Bretagne. 
Gascogne 


IS'onnandie  .. 
Bourgogne  .. 

J5retagne 

Cbani])agne  . 

Ga.scfignc 

N(iniiaii(Ue  . . 
Brctagu.^  .... 
Champagne  . 

Gascogne 

Bourgogne  .. 
Bretagne  . . . . 
CIiain])agne  . 
Gascogne.... 
Norniaudie .. 
Bourgogne . . 

Bretagne 

Gascogne 

Champagne  . 
Bonrgogue . . 

Bretagne 

Ga^sc<)gne 

Champagne 
Bourgogne  . . 
Bretagne    .. 

Touraine 

Gascogne 


From  Havre  to  New  York. 


Date  of 

sailing 

from 

Havre. 


1890. 
July  5 
July  12 
July  19 
Julv  26 
Aug.  2 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  16 
Aug.  23 
Aug.  30 
Sept.  6 
Sept.  13 
Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.  4 
Oct.  11 
Oct.  18 
Oct.  25 
Kov.  1 
Xov.  8 
Nov.  15 
Nov.  22 
Nov.  29 
Dec.  6 
Dec.   13 


Total  .souls. 


Dec. 
Dec. 

1891 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Feb. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Mar. 
Ai)r. 
A])r. 
Apr. 
Apr. 
May 
May 
May 
MaV 
May 
June 
June 
June 
June 


Number 
of  steer- 
age pas- 
sengers. 


Number 
of 

steerage 
passen- 
gers, by 
months. 


374 
351 
349 
463 
358 
403 
481 
,50 
483 
580 
283 
656 
657 
633 
601 
654 
540 
434 
503 
406 
363 
307 
313 

278 
151 

1G3 
247 
361 
203 
248 
309 
428 
579 
700 
690 
771 
784 
673 
939 
807 
849 
805 
801 
753 
693 
514 
427 
.534 
494 
165 
600 


1,442 


2,155 


2,008 


2,545 


2,246 


)■     L049 


1,226 


2,016 


2,918 


3,400 


3,188 


1,793 


25.  986 


From  New  York  to  Havre. 


Date  of 

sailing 

from  New 

York 


1890. 
July  19 
JulV  26 
Aug.  2 
Aug.  9 
Aug.  16 
Aug.  23 
Aug.  30 
Sept.  6 
Sept.  13 
Sept.  20 
Sept.  27 
Oct.  4 
Oct.  11 
Oct.  18 
Oct.  25 
Nov.  1 
Nov.  8 
Nov.  15 
Nov  22 
Nov.  29 
Dec.  6 
Dec.  13 
Dec.  20 
Dec.  27 

1891. 
Jan.     3 
Jan.   10 

Jan.  17 
Jan.  24 
Jan.  31 
Feb.  7 
Feb.  14 
Feb.  21 
Feb.  28 
Mar.  7 
Mar.  14 
Mar.  21 
Mar.  28 
Apr.  4 
Apr.  11 
Apr.  18 
Apr.  25 
May  2 
May  9 
May  16 
May  23 
May  30 
June  6 
June  13 
June  20 
June  27 


Number 
of  steer- 
age pas- 
sengers. 


178 
265 
227 
232 
140 
187 
228 
252 
173 
215 
204 
229 
198 
170 
187 
121 
209 
164 
219 
285 
416 
130 
84 
166 

220 
122 

107 
122 
113 
134 
103 

97 
106 
123 

89 
108 

86 
152 
148 
197 
112 
271 
262 
249 
218 
279 
301 
266 
262 
308 


Number 
of 

steerage 
passen- 
gers, by 
months. 


1      V 


32 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


Anchor  Line  Steamship  Company, 
7  Bowling  Green,  New  Yorh,  November  20,  1891, 

John  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Commissioner  of  Immigration: 
Sir:  Herewitli  we  be^c  to  liand  numbers  of  Italian  steerage  passengers  sliippe 
from  the  p 01 1  of  New  York  between  July,  1890,  and  June,  1891,  to  Mediterranee 
ports. 

Henderson  Brothers, 
Per  J.  M. 


Name  of  steamer. 


Date  of 
sailing. 


Number 
of  pa 
senger 


Columbia. 

India 

Elvsia 

Victoria  . . 
Caledonia. 
California 

Italia 

Columbia . 
Belftravia 
Victoria  .. 
Devonia .. 
Caledonia. 


Italia - 


Utf  pia 

Alexandria. 
Belgravia. 


July  30.... 
July  19.... 
Aujiust... 
September 

do 

Oct.  4 

October.. - 
...do  


November. 


do 


December. 


.do 


...do 

1891. 

January  . . 

February . 


-do 

AlsTitia '  March 

Anglia j  Aj)ril . 

Assyria '  May  .. 

Caledonia I  June.. 


Total 


|ft         Statistics  of  the  steerage  and  cabin  passengers  forwarded,  by  the  Hamburg  American  Packet 
Company  from  July  1,  1890,  to  June  30,  1891,  from  America  to  Europe. 


NEW  YOEK  TO  HAMBURG. 


Month. 


Cabin  pas- 
sengers. 


Steerage . 
passengers, 


Total. 


July,  1890 

August.  1S90... 
September,  1890 
October,  1890... 
Noveral)er,  1S90 
December,  1«90. 
January,  1891  .. 
February,  1891 . 

March,  iSOl 

April,  1891 

May,  1891 

June,  1891 

Total 


1,363 

519 

397 

511 

471 

50 

33 

48 

90 

740 

1,804 

1,902 


7,928 


1,035 
753 
664 
727 
867 
624 
261 
253 
289 
588 
1,196 
1,010 


8,287 


2,398 

1,272 

1,081 

1,238 

1,338 

674 

294 

301 

379 

1,328 

3,000 

2,912 


16. 215 


NEW  TOEK  TO  STETTIN. 


July  1890 

1 
1 
23 
12 
43 
12 

August,  1890 

October  1890     .. 

March,  1891 

May,  1891 

June,  1891 

Total 

92 

ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


33 


statistics  of  the  steerage  and  cahin  passengers  etc. — Continued 
BALTIMORE  TO  HAMBUEG. 


Month. 

Cabin  pas-      Steerage 
sengera.     passengers. 

Total. 

July,  1890 

5 
5 

1 

24 
6 
3 
7 
3 
3 

29 

August    1890  

11 

September.  1890 

4 

October.  1890 

7 

May,  1891 

3 

6 

June,  1891 

3 

Total 

14 

46 

60 

PHILADELPHIA  TO  HAMBUEG. 


August,  1890 


EECAPITTTLATION. 


Months. 


Liverpool 
lines 


Xorth 

German 

Lloyd  Co. 


EedStar 
Line. 


French 
Line. 


Anchor 
(Italy) 
Line. 


Hamburg 

Ameri- 
can Pack- 
et Co. 


July 

August 

September- 
October 

NoAeml)er  . 
December  . 

•Taiiuary  ... 
J  ■  i>ruary.. 

-March 

April 

May 

June 

Total 


10,  068 
7,710 
6,145 
5,923 
6,659 
9,472 


2,666 
2,668 
3,049 
4.701 
7,494 
8,827 


75,  382 


2,285 
1,695 
1,574 
1,668 
1,734 
2,123 


1,121 

1,177 
1,500 
1,916 
3,016 
2,462 


712 
802 
864 
815 
1,415 
1,129 


537 
158 
641 
370 
748 
744 


22,271 


,935 


443 

,014 
844 
784 
998 
796 


684 
440 
406 
609 
1,279 
1, 137 


434 


233 
139 
404 


646 


85 
120 
14 
14 
36 
179 


3,317 


687 
757 
867 
624 


261 
253 
301 

588 
1,242 
1,025 


8,425 


Instructions  to  ship's  doctor,  Netherlands- Amei'ican  line. 

To  the  Surgeon  : 

The  surgeons  are  instructed  to  be  very  careful  when  examining  the  steerage  pas- 
sengers coming  on  board,  especially  with  regard  to  scarlatina,  measles,  typhoid 
fever,  smallpox,  consumption,  and  all  loathsome  or  contagious  diseases. 

Any  case  which  is  suspicious  in  the  slightest  degree  must  be  reported  at  once  to 
the  representative  of  the  office  and  the  passenger  kept  apart  for  rejection  or  closer 
examination,  as  the  case  may  be.  Lunatics,  idiots,  and  cripples  are  to  be  treated  in 
the  same  manner. 

This,  of  course,  is  not  to  interfere  with  the  Belgian  health  officers'  inspection,  but 
it  is  to  be  considered  as  a  further  and  private  measure  of  protection  of  the  line  to 
meet  the  United  States  laws  on  immigration. 

The  doctor,  consequently,  has  to  examine  the  passengers  independently  from  the 
Belgian  health  officer. 

Antwerp,  May  6,  1S91. 

[A  copy  of  this  circular  is  to  be  kept  on  file  on  board  by  the  captain  and  the  sur- 
geon.] 


H.  Ex.  37 


59 


L 


34  ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

NETHERLANDS  AMEBIC  AX  STEAMSHIP  NAVIGATION  COMPANY, 

Instructions  for  doctor.     The  following  rules  are  issued  by  the ,  and  must  b<' 

strictly  followed  and  enforced. .     No. .     Date .    Issuec 

to  Doctor ,  steamship ,  who  has  to  return  it  to  the . 

INSTRUCTIONS  FOR  DOCTOR. 

GENERAL  RULE. 

The  doctor  is,  equally  with  all  other  officers,  subject  to  the  rules  and  regulationr 
of  the  company  and  is  under  immediate  command  of  the  captain  or  his  substitute 
He  is  equal  in  rank  with  the  chief  officer.  i 

*  #  *  *  *  »  •  ', 

EMBARKATION  OF  PASSENGERS. 

The  doctor  is  required  to  be  at  the  gangway  w^henever  passengers  are  embarked 
and  will  be  held  responsible  if  he  allows  on  board  any  passenger  evidently  ill,  and 
in  the  case  of  westbound  steerage  passengers,  any  passenger  infirm  or  over  60  year; 
of  age,  or  a  pregnant  woman,  if  not  accompanied  l)y  her  husband.  Such  passenger, 
have  to  be  separated  and  detained  until  the  managers  or  their  representatives,  t» 
whom  the  doctor  must  report  such  cases,  shall  have  decided  whether  such  passenger 
will  be  allowed  to  embark  or  otherwise. 


' 


NO   CHARGE   FOR   MEDICAL  ATTENDANCE. 


The  doctor  is  required  to  give  proper  medical  attendance  to  all  on  board,  passen 
gerS;  officers,  and  crew,  free  of  charge. 


i 


INTERCOURSE. 

He  is  required  above  all  to  treat  the  passengers  and  crew  in  a  humane  and  kini 
manner.  He  should  at  the  same  time  carefully  avoid  undue  familiarity  in  his  intei 
course  with  everyone  on  board.  J?^ 

REGULAR    VISITS.  i 

The  doctor  shall  visit  regularly  all  the  sick  passengers  in  the  steerage  daily  at 
o'clock  a.  m.  and  again  at  4  o'clock  p,  m.,  and  at  any  other  time  when  his  service 
may  be  required.     After  every  regxilar  visit  he  shall  report  to  the  captain. 

The  doctor  is  required  to  inspect  each  immigrant  passenger  twice  daily  by  haviii 
the  passengers  pass  before  him  in  single  file.  If  the  sea  and  weather  is  lair,  pa?- 
them  on  deck.  If  the  sea  is  too  rough  or  weather  stormy,  inspect  in  the  steerau't 
If  the  passenger  is  only  seasick  the  exercise  will  be  beneficial;  if  from  any  othe 
cause,  the  doctor  can  best  determine  the  character  of  the  disease  by  having  tb 
patient  pass  before  him. 

SANITARY   CONDITION   OF   PASSENGER   SPACES. 

The  doctor  is  responsible  for  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  compartments  an 
spaces  set  apart  for  the  use  of  passengers. 

He  shall  satisfy  himself  as  to  the  purity  of  the  air  and  see  that  proper  disinfectaiil 
are  used  whenever  necessary. 

He  shall  recommend  the  passengers,  especially  those  suffering  from  seasicknes. 
to  keep  as  much  as  possible  in  the  open  air. 

ACCIDENTS. 


ijllle 


In  case  of  injuries  by  accident  to  a  passenger  or  passengers  the  doctor  shall  imni< 
diately  give  his  surgical  attendance.  Ho  shall  also,  together  with  the  purser,  ii 
quire  into  the  cause  or  causes  of  the  accident  and  make  a  written  report  in  detail  ' 
his  daily  journal  of  the  causes  of  the  accident  and  its  character,  extent,  etc.,  and  sig 
a  written  statement  together  with  the  purser  and  as  many  of  the  passengers  an<1  ere 
as  have  been  witnesses  to  the  accident.  The  signature  of  the  injured  passenger  ( 
passengers  to  such  statement  is  of  a  particular  value,  if  the  injured  may  be  consi* 
ered  physically  able  to  judge  of  the  correctness  of  such  statement. 

This  statement  should  be  written  out  by  the  ]>urser  as  soon  as  the  necessary  pa 
ticulars  are  acquired,  and  as  little  time  as  possible  should  be  allowed  to  lapse  befoj 
said  statement  is  made  up. 

VACCINATIONS   OF   WESTBOUND   STEERAGE   PASSENGERS. 

Upon  a  time  to  be  fixed  in  eousnltation  with  the  captain,  and  commence  imni' 
diately  after  leaving  port  at  which  the  passengers  embark.     The  doctor  shall  satisJ 


iil 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     35 

himself  by  examination  of  all  the  steerage  passengers  that  they  have  been  success- 
fully vaccinated.  He  shall  vaccinate  those  that  have  never  been  vaccinated  and  re- 
vaccinate  those  who  have  not  been  successfully  vaccinated  within  the  last  ten 
years.  Should  a  case  of  smallpox  occur  during  the  voyage,  those  who  are  success- 
fully vaccinated  by  the  doctor  before  the  development  will  not  be  detained  at  the 
New  York  quarantine  should  they  be  exposed  to  the  disease.  Thereupon  he  shall 
hand  each  steerage  passenger  a  certificate  of  vaccination  signed  by  him. 

This  rule,  however,  only  applies  to  steerage  passengers  on  the  voyage  from  Europe 
to  the  United  States  of  America. 

CONTAGIOUS    DISEASES. 

If  a  case  of  contagious  or  infections  disease  develops,  or  a  suspicion  of  such  dis- 
ease arises,  it  is  the  doctor's  duty  to  immediately  isolate  the  patient  in  one  of  the 
hospitals  and  then  inform  the  captain  of  the  steamer. 

The  regular  hospitals  on  deck  must  alway  be  preferred.  If  there  are  port  lights 
they  must  not  open  on  the  deck ;  the  rooms  should  be  ventilated  from  the  top  or  on 
the  side  next  the  sea.  The  doctor  shall  either  keep  the  key  of  such  hospital,  when  oc- 
cupied, in  his  possession  or  intrust  the  same  to  one  of  the  ship's  crew  selected  to  at- 
tend such  patient,  but  his  special  duty  shall  be  to  see  that  both  the  patient  and  the 
attendant  have  no  intercourse  with  the  passengers  or  crew  and  are  kept  strictly 
isolated.  In  all  these  cases  the  doctor  shall  confer  with  the  captain  as  to  the  proper 
measures  to  take. 

EXTRA  NOURISHMENT  AND   STIMULANTS. 

For  sick  people,  actually  requiring  same,  any  extra  nourishment  or  liquors  shall 
be  supplied  from  the  ship's  stores  without  expense  to  the  patients,  on  a  written  order 
iVom  tlie  doctor.  The  officers  in  charge  of  the  ship's  stores  shall  within  twenty-four 
hours  after  the  doctor's  requisition  tile  them  with  the  captain.  It  is  essentially 
necessary  for  the  doctor  to  see  personally  to  the  proper  application  of  what  is  so 
prescribed  and  supplied. 

ARRIVAL  AT  QUARANTINE,  NEW  YORK  HARBOR. 

On  arrival  in  New  York  the  doctor  must  be  on  deck  when  the  health  officer  of  the 
port  1)oards  the  steamer  oif  quarantine,  and  shall  personally  receive  the  health  officer, 
answer  allhis  questions,  andrey)ort  to  him  the  cases  of  sickness,  deaths,  andbirths  that 
(X  curred  on  board  during  the  trip,  and  in  case  of  contagious  or  infectious  diseases 
the  doctor  shall  truthfully  report  to  the  health  officer  the  day  and  hour  of  his  dis- 
rovery  of  the  disease,  the  precise  time  of  its  admission  to  hospital,  and  all  the 
!  pcautions  taken  to  prevent  the  sx)read  of  the  contagion  or  infection  and  tlie  con- 

.  t  of  the  affected  people  with  all  others  on  board.  He  shall  assist,  if  necessary, 
to  the  fumigation  of  the  ship. 

doctor's  journal. 

The  doctor  shall  keep  a  journal  in  which  he  shall  record  each  day  the  names  of 
tlie  sick  passengers,  their  disease,  the  prescription,  medicine,  or  treatment  directed, 
and  such  remarks  as  the  case  calls  for.  This  journal  must  be  signed  each  day  by 
the  doctor  and  attested  by  the  signature  of  the  captain,  and  shall  be  open  to  the 
inspection  of  the  health  officer  at  quarantine. 

If  kept  according  to  instructions  the  journal  will  be  of  great  service  to  the  steam- 
shi[)  company  in  prevening  unjust  suspicions  and  wrong  conclusions  in  respect  to 
The  management  of  contagious  diseases  that  develop  during  the  voyage.  Such  jour- 
nal, or  a  duplicate  thereof,  shall  be  submitted  to  the  directors  or  agent  of  the  line,  if 
they  so  direct,  at  the  completion  of  each  voyage. 

arrival  at  THE  COMPANY'S  PIER  AT  NEW  YORK. 

On  arrival  at  the  pier  where  the  i)assengers  are  landed,  the  doctor  is  required  to 
stay  on  board  as  long  as  there  remains  a  passenger  on  board,  and  he  is  required  to 
acfompany  the  steerage  passengers  to  the  United  States  barge  office  or  any  other 
rnited  States  landing  bureau  for  immigrants  and  report  there  to  the  medical  officers 
of  the  United  States  Immigration  Bureau.  In  case  there  is  amongst  the  passengers 
iiiyone  under  medical  treatment,  he  shall  state  to  the  medical  officer  of  the  United 
-^t  ates  Immigration  Bureau  the  nature  of  the  disease,  its  present  stage,  and  the  treat- 
in '-nt  applied. 

After  having  seen  the  passengers  safely  landed  and  delivered  to  the  United  States 
officials,  the  doctor  shall  return  to  the  steamer  and  report  to  the  captain. 


36 


I 
s 

o 

o 


'i 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


I  xioi%-eJimxxi9 
-jadooa  jCaiunoo  jnoi!  piuojji^ 


;  s^nBjgiTne  jo 

U0T:)09!^0J(I   pUL'    O.reO    9T[%  JOJ 

JO  iioijKjSuua  o^uj^nSaj  o:^  ^i}. 
-unoo  jnoA  m  savcx  ajai[;  ojy 


-nnoo  aq'}.  uiojj  p8no<Ix3  sjad 

-Tl'Bd   pUB    S^UUUIJO  Jl9lie  9JY 


I  asmjeq^o  ao  ai'Bi 
^q  pa^Bjnooua  uopBiSiraa  sj 


i-0^9  'eiq'BOi'^ 
-OBid  uor^oadeai  aBxnsaoo  bj 


6  6  6  6      6  6 


d  c  o  a5 

1>-  >>  |Zi  >H 


©66 


-    03    TO       . 

»  «  o 


6  6 


oooooooooo 


>H>K>^>H 


o      o  o  o 


oosajosajocsjosica)® 

;?;  ^2;  >H  [H  i^  >H  >K  >i  ^  >H  ;Zi  >H  l^i  >^  ^ 


OOWOO     'X35O5O091 

®«aj    ;a>©aji;a) 

>H>-I>H     .>-(>-!  tH  >-!  >^ 


_    OQ    « 

®o®coo3;©©c 


coo 


t^H 


c  o 


c  c  o  o 


©  o      o  o  o  o 


c  o  o  o  o  o 


o  o  o 


ooooooi.-uoooi);,a)Oi.a»i»ooo 


tS8;B:iSpa?Ta£i 
eq;  o^  anas  saadiiud  Jo 
'ejoipi  'auBsat  'eiBaiunjo  ejy 


i  P9SbS 
-tt9    eaa.ioqBx     ^OTgJino'j    Qiy 


j'^^IJ:^s^p  jnojf 
ut  B9inBdTaoo  dnfsniBa'^s 
Ki{  pajouiojd    aoiiBjgxiu9    sj 


•  00 

©©ocoocooooc 


o©cocoo   ooo 


OCOOOOwOOOO 


OOCOOOOOOOO 


C  O 


c  © 


>H>i>H 


o  o 


GO  m  3}  (B 

u  ©  ©  4> 


coo 


oooooo©      oo©oococcco®oooco      S-O 
^^;z;!zi}z;^tH     |zi !?;  ;>^  ^  5z  ;zi  ^  1^.  ^  ^  J^i  t>H  ;zi  !^  l^^  ;z^  ;^     >5/5!zi| 


't3  © 
.02 


^^o^ 


t>'oi> 


bir^  2  o  ;:icci.s  S  .-,  •  g 
o  •  r'fci  ©  !-  csi  s  r,  ^  ^ 
sSoS^g'S  o  -  .5 
^©55K'^&;^«i=-n- 


St 


O  ©  2  2  i:^ 


*    (3 


5P5 


31  n   > 

5  o  3  ^  S 


r,-;ti. 


WoW::JWi?:<^'<<I?H 


'.O^  51  Jo  ce" 


"3    ©    ©    tj 


ci^  -1. 


>-.J 


«  2  fl  o  =«  «  o  ^--^"^s 
■:Si*2iili|crW 

tsJS*^r-J^Obfe©o    . 
CO  r,.;s  vj  C3.;a.^  H  a  's^si^.'-'^^  Of^j:;^-^^  e3  O  cS  ©  t-j©  O  t-i"^4»i 


«   C"^   ©   ©    55—    CS 


'^2: 


•ioqnin_^ 


>  ■«  ko  «o  t>  00  a>  o ' 


I  ffq  fO  ■*  lO  »  t- 00  < 


IC4C4C<ie4C4( 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


37 


©  o 


X    >^ 


•     OO    CO 

O  ©  3 


o  c 


2i}2i 


00    (C    35  ■ 

*   S   ffl 


c  o 


o  o 


o      o  o 

(2;       ^^21 


«  ®  © 


;^;2i>< 


w  30    ^    00 

O    C  ©    »    O 


O   O         O  <D  <V  O 


C  C  O  O  I  o  c 


^^•^-A'A'^ 


at        ai        32 

QJ  O  »  O  © 

>-i  ;^;  Ph  ;zj  >H 


OQ    OO 

ffl  o  ®  a  o 


c  c  o  o 


rX    X.    :D    Tj    Tj    rX    Tj    X    X    T.    (T.    Xi    X    X    n    X    :t: 

Cw©®i^*»t©©©»li©»©©OS 
;Zi  >-(  ;>^  >H  f>l  pH  >-l  >H  pH  >^  >H  >H  >H  >H  >H  >H  >1  >,  fH 


o  o  o 


o  o  o  o 


o  o 


ocooc   coco 


o  o 


;o    coooooo 


oooooocaoooocoo 


c  o 


o  5 


s 

o"^® 

^  tH 


C   O 


COCO 


rh    .  -t-^  t!  3  =<  r  w-  5  1^  ■"  C  P       T 


o  «o  t-  CO  : 


OrHT-lCO-flOOt-- 


!;  ft 

©  a  3 


b  a 


!-.  C3   © 


^C^ 


£  XrJC-  ©  te  =  S 

O  O  0,^.2,^  ©  c8  oj  O 


oo  O 
®  o 
Is  c 

■Xn3 

r-l    'O 


£  22 

©  bcl^ 


So: 


^1 


"  9  ^ 

£  rt  00 

**"  s  « 

a  fH  <s 

■5  0  0*^ 

^''  S  '+2  £ 

C  c;  3 


ft.:  £ 

.5  0  t,'  -  =1^     5 

Z^  a  i  c  .t:  p  tf 

r:  Kx  .tj  tu  ^  >  .^'• 


W«3 


E  <»  5 


3    -    C-t:    ,-    CI 

.  -« j^  <«  c  I:  -^  t, 

'  "r^  ""^  53  5^  -  ®  ^ 
'  u-d  ■-:  ©  '^  C  ^  i_i  k__ 
•e«ia<ea>aoa>o 


38      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

[For  copy  of  circiilar  letter  addressed  to  European  consuls  by  Commissioners  see  vol.  1,  page  6.] 

CHAS.  F.  JOHNSON,  UNITED  STATES  CONSUL,  HAMBURG. 

Answers  to  questions  propounded  in  confidential  circular  of  Special  Commission,  United 
States  Treasury  Department,  Hort.  Jno.  B.  Wel)er,  Chairman.  ] 

1.  The  laws  of  the  German  Empire  prohibit  any  promotion  of  emigration,  and  as 
far  as  I  c;in  ascertain  the  steamshij)  and  other  carrying  companies  in  my  district 
make  no  eflbrts  in  this  direction  except  the  publication  of  legitimate  advertisements 
of  their  lines,  similar  to  those  published  by  them  in  the  newspapers  of  the  United- 
States. 

2.  No  such  engagements  of  contract  laborers  are  made  here. 

3.  This  is  not  done  here. 

4.  I  do  not  think  that  an  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  United  States 
consuls  would  be  practicable.  In  case  the  emigrants  should  have  to  procure  certifi- 
cates from  the  consuls  in  whose  districts  their  former  home  is  located,  it  would  make 
it  very  expensive  for  a  great  many  of  them,  as  a  visit  to  the  respective  consulates 
would  often  entail  a  costly  detour  from  the  direct  route  to  the  port  of  embarcation. 
Besides,  there  would  be  great  danger  that  nonobjectionable  parties  would  procure 
certificates  from  inland  consuls  and  give  them  to  undesirable  emigrants,  a  practice* 
which  in  view  of  the  vast  number  of  eniigrants  landing  in  the  United  States  it  would 
be  very  diflicult  to  guard  against.  The  only  way  to  prevent  such  a  fraud  would,  in/ 
my  opinion,  be  to  examine  the  parties  just  before  embarkation,  surrendering  the  cer-- 
tificate  to  them  as  they  go  on  board  the  transatlantic  steamer.  But  when  the  fact 
is  taken  into  consideration,  that  in  the  year  1890,  for  instance,  93,013  ])ersons  emi-, 
graied  to  the  United  States  by  way  of  Hamburg  alone,  and  that  most  of  these  were:; 
only  a  day  or  two  in  Hamburg  before  they  Avere  shipped,  it  becomes  obvious  that 
an  enormous  consular  force  would  be  necessary  in  this  city  to  conduct  even  the  most 
superficial  examination  of  the  emigrants  leaving  here.  Aside  from  these  reasons,  I 
doubt  very  much  if  the  consuls  at  any  point  could  get  trustworthy  information  in 
many  of  the  cases  coming  under  their  notice,  the  interest  of  parties  desiring  to  rid 
themselves  of  objectionable  persons  by  emigration  being  evidently  to  conceal  the. 
facts  that  would  lead  to  their  rejection  by  the  consul,  while  desirable  emigrant^ 
might,  on  the  contrary,  meet  with  great  difiiculty  in  securing  the  necessary  docu- 
ments from  the  authorities  of  their  native  place. 

5.  Emigration  is  certainly  not  encouraged  by  the  German  Government.  The  em- 
igration of  all  parties  subject  to  military  duty  is  forbidden  by  law. 

6.  They  are  sent  across  the  border. 

7.  The  German  emigration  laws  are  in  force  here.  I  append  a  copy  of  the  law 
and  the  regulations  regarding  the  shipment  of  emigrants  from  this  port. 

8.  I  tlo  not  know  of  any  such  movement  unless  the  circular  issued  by  the  English 
consul-general  at  this  place  to  emigrants  can  be  regarded  as  such.     This  circular,; 
printed  in  the  German,  Bohemian,  and  Hebrew  languages,  is  posted  in  all  emigrant^ 
lodging  houses  in  this  city,  and  warns  the  emigrants  a^gainst  going  to  Great  Britain, 
as  they  would  not  be  likely  to  find  employment  there.     I  append  a  copy  of  this  cir- 
cular.* 

9.  1  do  not  believe  that  any  such  cooperation  could  be  secured  that  would  be  in 
the  interest  of  the  United  States,  as  no  country  would  be  likely  to  encourage  the 
emigration  of  desirable  parties,  while  the  nonadmission  of  objectionable  immigrants 
would  certainly  be  more  in  the  interest  of  the  United  States  than  of  the  country 
from  which  they  came. 

Chas.  F.  Johnson, 
United  States  Consul. 
United  States  Consulate, 

Hamburg,  October  10,  1891. 


HUGO  M.  STARELOFF,   UNITED  STATES  CONSUL,  BREMEN, 

Bremen-,   October  3,  1891. 
To  the  Chairman  of  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasuri/  Department : 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  the  request  of  your  communication  dated  July  21,  1891r 
I  have  the  honor  to  rexdy  to  your  questions  as  follows :  '  , 

Question  1.  The  different  ste.imship  companies  and  their  agencies  and  8ubagencie» 
try  as  a  matter  of  their  own  interest  to  obtain  as  many  emigrants  upon  their  lists  as 

*  See  vol.  I,  page  112 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     39 

)ossible.  Whether  or  not  they  make  use  of  uiilawlul  means  is  a  very  dijaicult  mat- 
;er  to  ascertain.  That  such  have  Leen  used  to  some  extent  we  learn  once  in  a  while 
lom  newspaper  reports. 

Question  2.  I  can  not  tell  to  what  extent  contract  laborers  are  covertly  engaged 
'or  exportation  to  the  United  States,  but  I  have  all  reasons  to  suspect  that  a  great 
jiany  people,  especially  Polanders,  Bohemians,  and  Hungarians,  are  engaged  under 
■ontraet  by  mining  companies,  mostly  of  Pennsylvania.  Since  I  have  taken  charge 
jf  this  consulate  1  have  noticed  that  these  people  are  shipped  for  the  United  States 
n  spring  and  return  in  autumn.  I  have  recognized  the  same  faces,  especially 
hose  of  the  men  under  whose  supervision  they  seem  to  travel.  These  people  do  not 
jimdle  any  money,  nor  do  they  answer  any  questions  to  strangers,  no  matter  in 
,s  hat  language  th^y  are  addressed.  They  seem  to  follow  their  leader  blindly.  There 
s  about  one  woman  to  each  crew  of  twelve  or  eij^hteen  men,  who,  as  I  am  informed, 
>'. orks  and  cooks  for  them  at  their  place  of  destiny  in  the  United  States.  It  also 
I ;  pens  that  farmers  or  manufacturers  who  have  bought  a  tract  of  land  in  the 
Hi  ted  Statt'8  for  the  purpose  of  settling  there  have  taken  over  with  them  a  whole 
•rew  of  workmen,  who  partially  have  been  in  their  employ  previous  to  their  emi- 
gration to  the  Unite  i  States. 

Question  3.  Criminals  and  paupers  have  been  shipped  to  the  United  States  to  my 
liuowledge  by  benevolent  associations,  whose  leader,  in  one  case,  has  been  a  Govern- 
ment officer.     To  what  extent  this  is  done  I  am  unable  to  .tell. 

Question  4.  The  most  effective  system  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants,  I 
tliink,  would  be  to  compel  the  emigrants  to  get  from  their  Government  authorities  a 
.(  rtificate  of  good  conduct  and  to  instruct  the  steamship  companies  and  their  agen- 
ies  and  subagencies  not  to  sell  a  ticket  to  any  emigrant  unless  he  has  such  certifi- 
.  cate.     The  Government  authorities  who  would  be  willing  to  give  to  an  undesirable 
I  3itizen  a  passport  in  order  to  get  rid  of  him  would  hesitate  very  much  to  give  to  the 
■  same  person  a  certificate  of  good  citizenship,  if  aware  that  said  person  has  been  in 
conflict  with  the  laws  of  the  country.     As  far  as  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other 
lelectives  are  concerned,  I  think  the  present  system  of  examination  by  the  steam- 
ship surgeons  is  inade(|uate  for  the  following  reasons:  With  due  regard  to  the  the- 
Drtitical  knowledge  of  the  corps  of  steamship  surgeons  it  is  well  known  that  most  of 
them  are  young  and  inexperienced  men,  who  consider  their  position  only  a  tempo- 
rary one,  as  their  salary  is  limited  and  there  is  no  expectation  of  glory  or  promotion 
connected  with  it,  and  for  an  ambitious  physician  it  is  only  a  stepping  stone  to  higher 
i  aims.     For  this  reason  they  will  hardly  remain  on  board  of  a  steamship  long  enough  to 
ii  become  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  duties  and  responsibilities  imposed  upon  them. 
The  steamship  surgeons  at  this  port  examine  the  emigrants  an  hour  before  they  leave 
I  the  city  to  go  on  board  the  steamer.     The  value  of  an  examination  of  500  to  1,500 
fr  passengers  in  as  short  a  time  is  clear  to  every  experienced  physician  or  layman. 
i      During  one  winter  season  I  have  seen  this  examination  to  take  place  in  a  large 
I  hall  illuminated  by  one  or  two  lamps  and  in  a  temperature  of  10  degrees  below 
.'  zero.     My  proposition  is,  that  the  United  States  appoint  one  or  two  surgeons  at 
r  every  port  of  emigration,  whose  duty  shall  be  to  examine,  under  the  supervision  of 
»  the  United  States  consul,  all  emigrants  and  reject  all  idiots,  insane  persons,  and 
I  other  defectives,  and  such  afflicted  with  loathsome  or  contagious  disease,  and  if  there 
I  is  the  least  suspicion  from  the  appearance  of  any  one  to  be  afflicted  with  consump- 
I  tion  or  heart  disease,  to  make  a  close  individual  examination  and  reject  him  if  afflicted. 
The  expense  of  such  examinations  is  nothing  compared  with  the  benefit  derived 
therefrom. 

Question  5.  In  Germany  emigration  of  able-bodied,  desirable  citizens  is  not  en- 
couraged by  law,  but  rather  hindered  as  far  as  possible,  and  every  obstacle  is  thrown 
into  their  way.  The  emigrants  have  to  prove  that  they  are  not  indebted  to  any  one, 
that  all  taxes  are  paid,  and  that  they  have  strictly  complied  with  the  military  laws, 
and  by  leaving  have  not  violated  any  contract  with  other  parties. 

Question  6.  Criminals  and  paupers  from  other  countries  are  promptly  sent  back 
to  the  country  where  they  came  from  by  the  German  authorities. 

Question  7.  See  inclosed  ordinance  for  regulating  the  conveyance  of  ships'  passen- 
gers to  transatlantic  countries. 
i      Question  8.  I  do  not  know. 

a      Question  9.  Neither  do  I  know  any  points  in  the  matter  of  emigration  on  which 
)  the  German  Government  would  be  likely  to  cooperate  with  the  United  States. 
^      It  is  clear  that  the  German  Government  is  anxious  to  retain  their  good  and  valua- 
I  ble  citizens  and  like  to  see  their  invalid  ones  to  depart  for  other  countries, 
i  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sii',  your  obedient  servant, 

'  Hugo  M.  Starkloff, 

United  States  Consul,  Bremen, 


40  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT    LABOR   LAWS. 

CONSUL-GENERAL  GOLBSCHMIDT,  VIENNA. 

1.  The  extent  to  wliicli  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by  steamshij 
or  other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resulting  passenger  business. 

Answer.  The  agents  of  the  steamship  companies,  who  must  be  licensed  by  t 
Government,  may  propagate  their  business  only  in  the  way  of  advertisements  in 
the  public  papers.  All  agitation  and  persuasion  in  favor  of  emigration  has  been 
strictly  prohibited  by  the  Government.  Business  concessions  are  only  granted  on 
the  condition  that  no  propaganda  must  be  made  to  encourage  emigration,  and  the 
police  authorities  exercise  an  effective  and  strict  control  ot  all  matters  connected 
therewith.  The  propagation  of  printed  pamphlets,  etc.,  designed  for  the  promoting 
of  emigration  is  prohibited  by  law.  Still  some  agents  of  steamship  companies,  in 
the  province  of  Galicia  especially,  have  been  endeavoring  to  induce  and  persuade 
Austrians  to  leave  their  native  country.  The  Wadowice  scandal  is  still  fresh  in  | 
memory  of  the  people.  Heavy  punishment  was  inflicted  on  the  unscrupulous  people  | 
connected  with  it. 

2.  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged  openly  or  covertly  for  ex- 
portation to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes  of  em- 
ployment. 

Answer.  There  are  no  agencies  for  emigration  existing  in  Austria-Hungary ;  the 
inviting  to  or  encouraging  of  emigration  being  prohibited.  Persons  infringing  on 
that  law  are  severely  punished,  and  a  sharp  lookout  for  emigration  agents  is  con- 
stantly going  on. 

3.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives,  p 
paupers  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  i)ersons  afflicted  with 
loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious  diseases  are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to 
the  United  States  in  violation  of  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement  is  |j| 
furnished  systematically  or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  commit- 
tees, or  Government  authorities. 

Answer.  Emigration  is  neither  encouraged  nor  aided  in  this  country.  In  virtue 
of  the  emigration  act  of  March  24,  1832,  emigration  is  subject  to  the  permission  of 
the  Government  authorities.  Criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  sick  persons,  or  per- 
sons living  on  public  charity  can  not  be  compelled  to  emigrate,  if  they  are  Austro- 
Hungarian  subjects;  but  aliens  of  that  class  who  become  a  public  charge  are  not 
allowed  to  remain  in  Austro-Hungarian  territory,  and  are  taken  either  across  the 
frontier  by  the  police  or  sent  to  their  native  countries.  The  newspapers  of  thia 
country  are  alike  willing  and  patriotic  in  aiding  the  Government,  by  giving  pub- 
licity to  any  piece  of  unfavorable  information  concerning  the  United  States,  but 
all  labor  is  certainly  wasted  as  long  as  the  friends  of  the  would-be  eudgrants  con- 
tinue to  send  from  America  money  to  assist  them  in  their  undertaking. 

4.  Whether  it  would  be  practical  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of  ex- 
amination of  intended  emigrants  by  American  consuls  or  officers  under  their  direc- 
tion, together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if  adopted. 

Answer.  The  proposed  measure  of  consular  certificates  will  never  work  to  ad- 
vantage; in  fact  it  will  prove  useless  as  a  check  to  the  undesirable  elements  of  emi- 
gration, while  it  will  be  a  burden  and  hardship  to  such  people  as  are  welcome  to 
our  shores.  The  time  and  work  of  a  consul  should  be  fully  devoted  to  the  commer- 
cial interests  of  his  country,  to  protecting  American  citizens  in  diatress,  and  to  giv- 
ing such  of  his  countrymen  traveling  in  Europe,  who  seek  information  and  enlight- 
enment on  public  affairs,  his  advice  and  attention.  There  are  a  great  many  things 
in  Europe  that  we  can  learn  and  profit  by,  and  a  United  States  consul  has  no  time 
to  waste  on  newcomers  in  the  capacity  of  a  detective  or  emigration  agent.  The 
cost  of  maintaining  a  system  of  examination  by  American  consuls  would  be  con- 
siderable, it  requiring  at  least  two  extra  clerks  for  each  consulate.  Great  ignorance 
prevails  in  Austria  in  regard  to  our  laws  on  emigration,  especially  the  recently 
enacted  restrictive  laws  as  to  contract  laborers,  criminals,  paupers,  and  vagrants^ 
The  United  States  consuls  should  be  authorized  to  publish  ofiBcially  in  the  public 
press  of  this  Empire  a  synopsis  of  those  laws  which  have  been  passed  to  prevent 
the  emigration  of  undesirable  elements.  The  work  of  surveillance  and  examina- 
tion of  emigrants  must  be  done  at  the  ports  of  arrival,  in  an  efiticient  but  humane 
manner. 

5.  Is  emigration  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation ;  and,  if  so,  what 
classes  in  respect  of  age  and  condition  are  affected? 

Answer.  Emigration  is  by  no  means  encouraged  in  this  country;  persons  liable  to 
military  duty,  that  is  young  men  between  the  ages  of  19  and  33  years,  can  not  law- 
fully emigrate  without  special  permission  being  granted  them  by  the  (iovernmeut 
authorities.  It  is  no  rare  occurrence  that  such  young  men,  who  intend  to  emigrate 
without  asking  permission,  are  caught  at  the  railroad  stations,  sent  back  to  their  na- 
tive places  and  are  there  punished.  During  the  past  year,  400  of  such  young  men 
were  ai^prehended  at  the  Vienna  railroad  stations,  and  inany  more  at  the  frontier. 


\0 


\ 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     41 

6.  What  disposition  is  made  of  alieu  criiainals  or  paupers?  Are  tbey  returned  to 
the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance,  or  sent  across  the  border;  and,  if  so,  what 
are  the  substantial  features  of  the  laws  or  regulations  governing  their  disposal? 

Answer.  Alien  criminal  or  paupers  (tramps)  are  returned  to  the  country  to  which 
they  owe  allegiance.  It  rarely  happens  that  Austrian  criminals  or  paupers  are  aided 
"by  local  authorities  to  leave  their  country,  and  I  have  no  knowledge  of  any  deporta- 
tion of  criminals,  paupers,  or  insane  persons  with  or  without  Government  aid. 

7.  Please  furnish  also  the  substantial  features  of  laws  regulating  emigration  or 
i  immigration  if  any,  in  the  country  where  you  are  stationed. 

Answer.  This  question  has  already  been  answered  by  the  foregoing. 

8.  Do  you  know  of  any  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  divert  immigration 
from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  immigrants  alleged  to  be  ex- 

!  eluded  from  their  own  country  f 

Answer.  No.     Such  a  movement  would  be  against  the  laws  of  this  country. 

9.  Do  you  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulatiug  and  restricting  emigra- 
!  tion,  on  which  the  Government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  would  be  likely  to 

cooperate  with  the  United  States  ?  (a)  On  what  point  do  you  think  such  coopera- 
tion would  be  of  interest  to  the  United  States?  (b)  On  what  points,  if  any,  do  you 
think  the  interests  of  the  United  States  and  the  Government  of  the  country  in  which 
you  live,  clash  in  the  matter  of  emigration? 

Answer.  I  hardly  think  that  the  emigration  from  Austria  to  the  United  States  will 
j  ever  be  sufficiently  controlled  by  the  authorities  to  benefit  our  country.  The  Gov- 
I  emment  would  be  willing  to  coiiperate  with  the  United  States  to  restrict  or  if  it 
'  could  do  so  prohibit  the  emigration  of  all  young  men  subject  to  military  duty.  It 
would  be  only  too  ready  to  enter  into  negotiations  with  us  not  to  grant  citizenship 
to  such  of  their  people  who  escape  military  duty,  but  woultl  gladly  con.sent  to  the 
exit  of  all  unsavory  elements  and  incumbrances  on  society,  although  every  possible 
method  is  used  to  repress  emigration  in  general.  The  interests  of  the  two  countries 
eeem  to  clash  in  this  direction.  The  hardy  farmers  and  the  sound  laborers  are  just 
the  emigrants  we  want  to  come  to  America.  The  way  to  regulate  emigration  is,  by 
Btrict  surveillance  on  arrival  in  our  country,  but  another  law  may  work  to  advantage 
which  would  grant  to  our  Government  the  right  to  expel  all  such  persons  who  are 
not  willing  to  support  the  laws  and  constitution  of  our  country  and  who  conspire 
against  the  maintenance  of  our  republican  institutions.  There  is  no  country  in  the 
world,  except  the  United  States,  whose  Government  does  not  reserve  for  itself  the 
.^  right,  either  by  a  decision  of  the  courts  or  otherwise,  to  expel  an  individual  who  is 
inot  a  citizen,  and  who  does  not  intend  to  become  one  and  support  the  laws  and  con- 
stitution of  our  country.  Austria  is  not  overpopulated,  and  as  already  stated  the 
Government  does  not  favor  emigration,  while  the  owners  of  estates  look  with  great 
disfavor  upon  any  concerted  movement  of  emigration.  Germany's  colonial  policy 
tends  towards  the  opening  of  new  territory  for  its  emigration  instead  of  encourage 
ing  the  same  to  settle  in  the  United  States  or  Canada,  where  they  know  they  would 
not  remain  Germans  and  become  producers  and  consumers  of  German  commodities, 
but  would  assimilate  sooner  or  later  with  the  people  of  those  countries.  The  same 
feeling  is  prevailing  here,  although  Austria  has  no  colonies  whereto  the  stream  of 
emigrants  could  be  directed.  So  far  little  success  has  accompanied  the  attempts  of 
such  colonization  projects,  and  the  stream  will  continue  its  natural  western  course 
as  it  does  in  our  country.  The  motto:  "  Go  west  young  man"  will  surely  remain 
i  the  same  for  some  time  to  come  in  both  the  continents  of  Europe  and  America. 


i  W.  H.  EDWARDS,  CONSUL-GENERAL,  BERLIN. 

Consulate- General  of  the  United  States, 

Berlin,  August  19,  1891. 
Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  (care  U.  S.  consul,  Bremen) : 

Sir:  In  reply  to  the  request  contained  in  your  confidential  circular,  issued  at 
London  on  the 21st  ultimo,  1  have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows : 

Answer  1.  Emigration  from  Gernumy  to  the  United  States  is  so  largely  influenced 
by  special  conditions  and  so  materially  aft'ected  by  local  and  personal  considerations, 
that  I  can  not  venture  with  the  data  at  hand,  to  express  an  opinion  as  to  the  extent 
of  the  influence  exerted  by  emigration  agents.  It  is  my  opinion  that  the  German 
emigrants  are  not  so  much  influenced,  or  tempted  by  the  highly  colored  statements 
and  ])lausible  circulars  of  the  smooth-tongued  emigration  agents,  as  by  our  climate 
and  the  whole  social  circumstances  of  the  United  States  of  to-day,  which  are  pecul- 
iarly and  highly  favorable  to  the  German  emigrants.  They  find  with  us  not  only 
the  presence  of  familiar  faces,  but  they  also  find  themselves  at  home.     The  German 


42      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

langnaiie  is  not  only  spolcen  everywhere  in  tlie  United  States,  biit  in  no  country  in 
the  world  is  German  more  understood,  than  with  us.  The  prosperity  of  the  German 
emigrants  in  the  United  States  is  the  secret  of  the  inesent  flow  of  emigration  in  that 
direction.  As  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  the  emigration  ngents  at  present  at  work  in 
Germany,  are  mainly  engaged  in  turning  the  current  of  emigr;ition  in  favor  of  the 
respective  steamships  or  railway  lines  whichHhey  represent. 

Answer  2.  I  am  not  personally  aware  that  contract  laborers  are  engaged  in  this 
district  for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  either  openly  or  covertly,  to  any  extent. 

Answer  3.  I  am  not  personally  aware  that  any  class  of  defective  persons  is  sys- 
tematically encouraged  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States,  l>y  societies,  committees,  or 
Government  authorities,  in  violation  of  our  emigration  laws. 

Answer  4.  The  determination  of  all  questions  touching  the  physical  and  financial 
condition  of  emigrants  should  he  left  to  the  light  of  expert  knowledge  in  the  United 
States.  There  are  too  many  degrees  of  insanity,  too  many  kinds  of  disease,  too 
many  degrees  of  infirmity,  too  many  stages  of  pauperism,  to  enable  us  to  practically 
adopt  or  apply  an  eflective  system  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  Ameri- 
can consuls.  Besides  it  would  in  most  instances  be  a  great  hardship  to  compel  in- 
tending emigrants  with  the  different  members  of  the  family  to  api^ear  in  person  be- 
fore the  consul.  If  any  sort  of  a  process  of  weeding  out  the  defective  and  undesir- 
able emigrants  should  be  adopted  or  begun  under  consular  inspection  it  should,  in 
my  opinion,  be  chiefly  confined  to  the  examination  and  authentication  of  such  record 
evidence  as  emigrants  may  be  required  by  law  to  bring  with  them  to  our  shores.  The 
method  and  system  of  registration  required  by  the  laws  of  this  country  furnishes  to 
the  consul  permanent  records  which  contain  a  stock  of  xiractical  and  useful  informa- 
tion which  truthfully  reveals  the  character,  conduct,  and  condition  of  every  subject 
of  this  Empire.  These  permanent  records,  which  have  an  extraordinary  scope,  are 
at  the  disposal  of  each  emigrant  and  within  reach  of  consular  officers,  and  certainly 
afi'ord  means  of  research  quite  beyond  the  reach  of  our  authorities  at  home.  In- 
spection by  consular  officers  of  this  record  evidence  can  be  productive  of  nothing 
but  good.  That  record  evidence  may  be  falsified  in  isolated  cases  is  not  i>ractically 
important.  The  form  of  the  certificates  or  transcripts  of  records  should  depend 
upon  the  system  of  registration  in  vogue  at  the  places  of  abode  of  intending  emi- 
grants. Every  emigrant  should  be  brought  to  a  fair  understanding  of  the  value  of' 
the  privileges  he  seeks  before  he  starts  to  make  a  home  with  us.  The  best  way  toi 
sharpen  the  sense  of  the  worth  of  residence  in  the  United  States  is  for  us  to  insist' 
that  the  intending  emigrants  shall  take  the  personal  trouble  to  bring  an  authenti- 
cated copy  of  their  records  with  them.  Nothing  is  more  certain  to  my  luind  than  that 
every  honest  industrious  German  who  desires  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  can 
procure  and  produce  the  most  satisfactory  record  evidence  as  to  character,  conduct, 
and  occupation.  Intending  emigrants  who  are  indisposed  or  unwilling  to  furnish 
the  record  evidence  which  surrounds  them,  and  which  has  grown  with  them  since" 
birth,  and  which  is  so  full  and  complete,  may  well  and  justly  be  considered  to  be 
either  unfit  to  seriously  assume  the  responsibilities  of  citizenship  with  ns  or  to  have 
black  records.  However,  in  the  consideration  of  this  subject  of  consular  aid  or  in- 
spection it  may  be  well  for  you  to  bear  in  mind  that  the  foreign  authorities  may  re- 
fuse to  extend  assistance  to  consuls  to  detect  criminal  and  other  defective  persons 
and  base  such  refusal  on  the  ground  that  our  laws  permit  and  practically  encourage 
the  emigration  of  foreign  subjects  in  violation  of  the  laws  governing  military  service. 
Certainly  no  consular  examination  or  inspection  would  be  signally  eti'ective  unless 
the  system  adopted  is  upon  a  basis  of  hearty  cooperation  with  foreign  authorities. 
The  truth  is,  this  whole  subject  of  emigration  demands  thorough  international  consideror- 
tion. 

Answer  5.  If  my  information  is  correct,  the  German  authorities  did  intervene  and 
put  a  stop  t(5  the  work  of  emigration  agents  who  a  short  time  ago  were  engaged  in 
directing  emigrants  to  Brazil.  The  German  authorities  doubtless  rejoice  at  the 
spread  of  her  congested  population,  and  it  is  quite  natural  that  the  authorities  should 
be  well  content  if  those  engaged  in  giving  efi"ect  to  emigration  movements  should 
insist  that  the  emigrant  class  should  be  brought  to  realize  that  success  and  pros- 
perity is  much  easier  and  much  more  certain  of  attainment  in  the  United  States  than 
elsewhere  in  the  world.  The  trade  statistics  show  that  the  German  authorities  have 
not  looked  without  reason  for  a  share  in  the  future  general  prosperitv  of  the  German 
emigrants  to  the  United  States.  The  exports  from  the  German  i;mpire  to  the  United 
States  have  doubled  in  value  in  ten  years;  that  is  to  sav,  in  1881  the  exports  were 
valued  at  $52,000,000,  whilst  in  1891  they  were  valued  at  $103,000,000,  and  I  have  the 
best  reason  for  saying  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  manufactured  merchandise  ex- 
ported to  the  United  States  from  Germany  has  followed  the  prosi)erous  German 
emigrant  in  his  new  home.  I  venture  the  assertion,  therefore,  without  the  data  to 
clearly  establish  the  facts,  that,  owing  to  a  wise  perception,  there  has  been  on  the 
part  of  the  German  authorities  a  philosophical  abstention  from  interference  with  the 
full  liberty  of  every  German  subject  to  emigrate  from  Germany  to  the  United  States 
Tius  without  regard  to  age,  clabs,  or  previous  condition. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     43 

Answer  6.  I  inclose,  under  cover  of  tLis,  translations  of  tlie  following  laws  of  the 
German  Empire  which  have  a  hearing  npon  this  suhject:  (1)  The  Imperial  German 
law  concerning  the  right  of  migiation  and  residence.  (2)  The  Imperial  German  law 
concerning  the  acquirement  and  loss  of  citizenship.  (3)  Germany's  military  laws, 
which  include  the  following:  a.  Imperial  military  law.  b.  Law  concerning  the 
militia,  c.  Control  of  furloughed  persons,  d.  Obligations  toward  the  armed  force 
in  times  of  peace,  e.  War  obligations.  /.  Proprietorship  of  land  in  the  ueighbor- 
iiood  of  forts. 

Answer  7.  Same  as  to  6. 

Answer  8.  Not  from  personal  knowledge. 

Answer  9.  The  only  practical  way  to  test  that  matter  is  to  submit  the  whole  sub- 
ject of  emigration  to  thorough  international  consideration,  and  then  you  will  have 
an  opportunity  to  ascertain  from  actual  experience  where  or  how  far  other  govern- 
ments would  likely  clash  or  cooperate  with  the  United  .States  npon  the  general  sub- 
ject of  emigration.  In  my  opinion  this  is  an  opportune  moment  to  call  an  inter- 
national conference  upon  the  subject. 
Yours,  most  truly, 

W.  H.  Eb^vards, 

Cons  id- General. 


CONSUL  T WELLS,  NAPLES,  ITALY. 

To  the  7nemher8  Special  Commission  of  the  United  States  Treasury  Department : 
Gentlemen  :  In  accordance  with  the  request  contained  in  your  communication 
I  bearing  date  London,  Jnly,  21,  1891,  I  have  the  honor  to  herewith  transmit  the  in- 
formation I  have  been   able  to  obtain  on  the  subject  of  emigration  to  the  United 
States  from  the  port  of  Naples. 

1.  I  am  advised  that  while  emigration  is  still  free  and  voluntary,  it  is  not  desired 
by  the  Italian  Government,  as  of  late  whole  districts  have  been  nearly  depopulated 
of  men.  thus  depriving  the  army  and  navy  of  most  useful  material,  nor  is  it  encour- 
aged to  tlie  same  extent  now  by  the  steamship  agencies,  for  the  reason  that,  although 
the  passeng<'r  business  is  very  profitable  to  the  three  lines  of  steamers  sailing  between 
Naples  and  New  York,  yet,  owing  to  the  penalty  imposed  by  the  authorities  on  vessels 
transporting  paupers,  diseased,  and  otherwise  undesirable  people  to  the  United  States, 

J  they  do  not  solicit  passengers  ijidiscriminately  as  they  formerly  did  through  the  ef- 
forts of  hired  agents.  Two  years  ago  a  large  number  of  these  agents,  for  the  com- 
mission which  they  received  on  the  sale  of  tickets  used  every  exertion  to  promote 
and  encourage  emigration  to  the  United  States  regardless  of  the  class  or  condition 
ol  the  persons  ship])ed,  but  since  the  Italian  Government  has  enacted  a  law  requir- 
ing each  agent  to  hie  a  l>ond  of  10,000  *  lire  for  the  x>roper  and  lawful  performance  of 
his  duties,  it  became  necessary  for  those  who  could  not  procure  the  required  security 
to  retire  from  the  business,  leaving  at  this  time  only  ten  men  on  the  list  of  passenger 
agents  or  drummers  at  this  port. 

2.  Regarding  contract  laborers,  none  are  now  engaged,  I  am  informed,  for  exporta- 
tion to  the  United  States  openly  through  agencies  or  padrones,  as  heretofore. 

3.  Criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  othei  defectives,  paupers,  or  persons  likely 
to  become  a  public  charge  or  afflicted  with  loathsome  or  contagious  disease,  are  not 
encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States,  but  on  the  contrary  are  not 
permitted  to  embark  by  tlie  municipal  authorities,  and  no  steamer  can  leave  Naples 
wiihout  every  emigrant  being  first  inspected  by  the  physician  of  the  port  or  persons 
appointed  for  that  purpose. 

4.  It  is  extremely  doubtful,  in  my  opinion,  whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt 
and  apply  an  effective  system  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American 
consuls  or  officers  under  their  direction,  and  the  cost  and  labor  of  maintaining  such 
a  system  would  be  both  laborious  and  expensive,  without  fully  effecting  the  desired 
result.  When  a  physician  was  employed  by  the  United  States  Government  to  ex- 
amine intending  emigrants  during  the  cholera  epidemic  in  Naples,  he  was  paid  at  the 
rate  of  $10  per  diem. 

5.  Emigration  is  neither  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation  so  far  as  I 
am  informed,  but  there  exists  a  new  regulation  which  requires  every  emigrant  or 
the  emigration  agent  in  his  stead  to  furnish  satisfactory  proof  to  the  authorities  that 
he  (the  emigrant)  is  able  to  work  and  has  some  means  of  support  until  he  finds  em- 
ployment. No  emigrant  can  embark  for  the  United  States  from  Naples  without  a 
passport  from  the  Italian  Government. 

6  and  7.  Alien  criminals  or  paupers  are  not  returned  to  the  country  to  which  they 
owe  allegiance  except  under  rec(nisition  from  that  country,  but  are  conveyed  across 
the  border  at  the  exi:)ense  of  the  local  police  department,  in  case  the  consul  who  rep- 

*  One  lira  is  valued  at  about  19  centa. 


44     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

resents  tlie  country  to  wliicli  these  persons  belong  refuses  to  take  charge  of  them, 
and  as  he  has  no  funds  in  his  hands  provided  by  his  government  for  the  purpose,  he 
can  not  afford  out  of  his  own  pocket  to  take  care  of  them  or  send  them  home, 

8.  I  know  of  no  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  divert  immigration  from  Eu- 
ropean countries  to  America  of  any  cLiss  of  immigrants  alleged  to  be  excluded  from 
their  own  country. 

9.  I  regret  to  say  that  I  have  been  unable  to  obtain  any  informaton  in  relation  to 
any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  or  restricting  emigration  on  which  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  country  in  which  I  live,  Italy,  would  be  likely  to  cooperate  with  the 
United  States. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

Jno.  S.  T wells. 
United  States  Consul,  Naples,  Italy. 
Naples,  August  18, 1891. 


GEORGE  S.  BATCHELLEE,  MINISTER,  LISBON,  PORTUGAL 

Question  1.  The  extent  to  which  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by 
steamship  or  other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resulting  passenger 
business. — Answer.  None. 

Queston  2.  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged  openly  or  covertly 
for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes 
of  employment. — Answer.  None. 

Question  3.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  de- 
feciives — paux)ers  or  j)crsons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge  and  persons  afflicted 
with  loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious  diseases — are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emi- 
grate to  the  United  States  in  violation  of  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encour- 
agement is  furnished  systematically  or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies, 
committees,  or  Government  authorities. — Answer.  None. 

Question  4.  Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adojit  and  supply  an  effective 
system  of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls,  or  officers  under 
their  direction,  together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if 
adopted. — Answer.  Impracticable. 

In  connection  with  this  last  inquiry,  it  will  be  important  to  ascertain  what  original 
official  certification  will  be  required  to  enable  consuls  to  pass  upon  the  eligibility  of 
the  intending  emigrant,  whether  detection  of  contract  laborers  and  criminals  will  be 
materially  improved,  and  to  what  extent,  if  any,  the  laws  governing  military  service 
would  prevent  emigration  of  those  Avithin  the  military  age  by  any  system  of  con- 
sular inspection.     (See  note  accompanying.) 

Question  5.  Is  emigration  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation,  and  if 
BO,  what  classes  in  respect  of  age  and  condition  are  affected. — Answer.  There  are 
the  usual  continental  regulations  as  to  military  service  only. 

Question  6.  What  disposition  is  made  of  alien  criminals  or  paupers?  Are  they  re- 
turned to  the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance,  or  sent  across  the  border,  and 
if  so,  what  are  the  substantial  features  of  the  laws  or  regulations  governing  their 
disposal? — Answer.  They  are  usually  expelled  from  the  country  by  police  force. 

Question  7.  Please  furnish  also  the  substantial  features  of  laws  regulating  emigra- 
tion or  immigration,  if  any,  in  the  country  where  you  are  stationed. — Answer.  There 
is  no  practice  of  sending  criminals  or  paupers  to  foreign  countries.  Emigration  is 
as  a  rule  discouraged,  except  to  the  colonies  in  South  Africa  and  along  the  African 
coast  to  Portugese  possessions.  Considerable  emigration  continues  to  Brazil;  very 
little  to  the  United  States. 

Question  8.  Do  you  know  of  any  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  divert  im- 
migration from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  immigrants  alleged 
to  be  excluded  from  their  own  country? — Answer.  No. 

Question  9.  Do  you  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restricting 
emigration,  on  which  the  government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  would  be 
likely  to  cooperate  with  the  United  States? — Answer.  No. 

(a)  On  what  points  do  you  think  such  cooperation  would  be  to  the  interest  of  the 
United  States?     (See  note.) 

{b)  On  what  points,  if  any,  do  you  think  the  interests  of  the  United  States  and 
the  government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  clash  in  the  matter  of  emigra- 
tion?— Answer.  None. 

P.  S. — This  information  will  be  treated  as  confidential  as  far  as  possible. 

See  accompaujang  note, 

Geo.  S.  Batcheller, 

Minister  Resident,  etc. 

Lisbon,  Portugal,  September,  1891. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     45 

yote  accompanying  answers  to  confidential  circular  of  the  Treasury  commission  to  in- 
vestigate in  Europe  the  subject  of  emigration  to  the  United  States,  dated  London,  July 
£1,  1891. 

In  my  judgment  it  is  not  advisable  to  refer  the  question  of  fitness  or  qualification 
of  the  emiorant  to  the  consuls.  It  would  be  found  impracticable  to  apply  a  series 
of  fixed  rules  in  individual  cases,  and  each  examining  functionary  would  be  called 
upon  to  exercise  a  certain  discretion  which  he  might  not  be  qualified  to  apply. 
Regulations  should  be  applied  differently  in  different  countries,  and  unfortunately 
for  the  consular  service  these  functionaries  are  frequently  changed,  and  it  occasion- 
ally happens  that  on  account  of  a  lack  of  knowledge  of  local  laws,  customs,  or  lan- 
guage, or  for  other  obvious  reasons,  the  consular  officer  is  illy  qualified  for  the  exer- 
cise of  the  semi  judicial  functions  necessarily  involved  in  such  special  service. 

Besides,  the  labor  incident  to  such  examinations,  especially  at  ports  where  there 
is  a  large  and  continuous  emigration,  would  involve  a  greatly  augmented  clerical 
force,  including  medical  experts,  etc.,  and  a  consequent  increase  of  expense.  In 
fact  it  would  require  a  repetition  in  the  consular  office,  on  a  small  scale,  of  the  ma- 
chinery of  the  Bureau  of  Emigration,  and  landing  stations  on  ports  of  entry  in  the 
United  States.  But  the  determination  of  the  fitness  of  the  emigrant  to  be  admitted 
into  the  United  States  should  be  made  at  the  port  of  entry. 

The  laws  and  regulations  relating  to  emigrants  destined  for  the  United  States 
should  be  publislied  in  the  newspapers  of  every  country  and  notified  to  every  gov- 
ernment, and  especially  to  the  police  and  customs  authorities  of  every  port  of  em- 
barkation. A  clause  should  be  inserted  in  every  treaty  of  commerce  and  navigation 
with  the  various  powers,  to  the  effect  that  these  laws  and  regulations  should  be 
made  known  and  applied  as  far  as  practicable  to  every  emigrant. 

I  would  suggest  that  the  laws  regulating  the  admissibility  of  emigrants  should 
provide  that  each  person  on  landing  should  furnish  to  the  United  States  authorities — 

1.  A  certificate  from  his  home  government  setting  forth  his  civil  and  judicial 
status.  These  certificates  can  readily  be  procured  in  all  continental  European  coun- 
tries. They  are  extracts  from  the  register  everywhere  existing  of  what  is  known  as 
the  etat  civil  and  etatjudiciaire  of  each  citizen.  In  the  "  Latin  countries"  those  cer- 
tificates emanate  from  the  police  authorities.  In  some  other  countries  they  are  fur- 
nished by  the  parochial  authorities,  and  in  some,  I  believe,  by  the  clergy. 

2.  The  certificate  of  birth,  acte  de  naissance.  The  latter  would  give  the  original 
nationality  of  the  emigrant  and  his  age  and  parentage,  frequently  very  important 
elements  in  determining  the  fitness  of  the  emigrant,  especially  for  citizenship. 

In  Europe  such  certificates  are  almost  invariably  required  to  be  produced  by  ap- 
plicants for  appointment  in  governmental  service  or  by  those  seeking  mercantile  or 
commercial  employment. 

These  requirements  should  also  be  incorporated  into  the  naturalization  laws  of  the 
country,  as  they  would  furnish  sure  guides  to  the  magistrate  in  determining  the  age 
and  other  qualifications  of  citizenship.  They  are  simple  safeguards;  they  would  at 
once  show  the  age  and  judicial  standing  of  the  emigrant,  whether  ever  convicted  of 
crime,  etc.,  and  would  be  readily  furnished  by  such  as  are  worthy  to  be  incorporated 
into  the  population  and  body  politic  of  the  United  States. 

Geo.  S.  BA.TCHELLER. 

Legation  of  the  United  States, 

Lisbon,  September  2,  1891. 


CONSUL  GADE,  CHBISTIANIA,  NORWAY, 

1.  The  British  steamship  lines  forwarding  emigrants  from  this  port  to  the  United 
States  have  promoted  emigration,  and  are  probably  still  doing  so,  by  agents  travel- 
ing in  the  rural  districts  and  recommending  their  respective  lines.  I  am  unable  to 
state  to  what  extent  the  emigration  has  been  promoted  by  such  agents,  but  am  in- 
formed by  the  official  statistics  on  emigration  published  here  every  year  that  more 
than  one-half  of  the  passage  money  for  the  Norwegian  emigrants  leaving  for  the 
United  States  is  prepaid  in  America.  Besides  tickets,  much  money  is  also  sent  to 
friends  and  relatives  who  may  be  willing  to  emigrate. 

2.  No  contract  laborers  have  to  my  knowledge  been  engaged  either  openly  or  cov- 
ertly for  exportation  to  the  United  States. 

3.  The  Norwegian  authorities  have,  with  a  very  few  exceptions,  been  very  careful 
in  not  encouraging  criminals  and  paupers  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States ;  nor 
have  I  ever  heard  during  my  long  consular  career  that  any  societies  or  committees 


46  ENFORCEMEirr    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

have  tried  to  violate  the  Ameri"pn  laws  by  sending  persons  likely  to  become  a  pni 
lie  charge  over  to  the  United  Sttites.  WHiere  cripples  or  other  defectives  have  pr<] 
posed  going  to  America  to  be  there  supported  by  their  relatives  I  have  alway 
dissuaded  them  from  doing  so. 

4.  To  this  question,  which  is  most  difficult  to  answer,  I  will  say  that  it  will  hardl 
be  practicable  to  apply  a  system  of  examination  of  emigrants  by  the  American  coi 
sul  in  a  port  like  this,  whore  on  an  average  10,000  persons,  amongst  Avhom  a  coup] 
of  thousands  from  another  country,  viz,  Sweden,  every  year  emigrate  to  the  Unit© 
States.  The  emigrants  come  here  from  very  remote  parts  of  this  large  country,  an 
the  only  way  in  Avhich  the  consul  could  be  informed  of  their  morals  and  other  qu^ 
ities  would  he  by  production  by  the  intending  eniigrants  of  certificates  from  % 
clergymen  in  their  respectiA'e  districts  or  from  the  nndersheriUs,  all  of  Avhom  woiil 
likely  be  uuAvilling  to  give  such  certificates.  The  military  laws  of  Norway,  whicl 
are  on  the  whole  very  liberal  in  regard  to  emigration  of  persons  within  the  militar 
age,  would,  so  far  as  I  know,  not  prevent  emigration  of  such  persons  by  consula 
inspection.  Any  person  intending  to  emigrate  is  bound  to  appear  before  the  polici 
authorities  at  the  port  of  departure,  and  if  liable  to  military  service  to  produce 
permission  to  leave  from  the  military  authorities,  which  is  easily  granted. 

5.  Emigration  has  in  this  country  never  been  hindered  or  encouraged  by  any  la^ 
or  regulation, 

6.  Alien  criminals  or  paupers  are  sent  across  the  border  or  at  the  expense  of  the  Got 
ernmeut  transported  to  a  foreign  port  in  the  country  to  which  they  belong.  Monej 
expended  here  for  Swedish  paupers  who  are  sent  back  to  Sweden  is  refunded  by  ti' 
Swedish  Government. 

7.  In  regard  to  immigration,  no  laws  regulate  this  matter  here.  The  law  of  Maj 
23,  1863,  regulates  the  size  and  outfittings  of  vessels  destined  to  carry  passengers  t< 
other  parts  of  the  world,  and  the  law  of  May  22,  1869,  gives  rules  for  the  control  o: 
transportation  of  emigrants  to  other  parts  of  the  world.  The  latter  law  enacts  thai 
agents  selling  tickets  to  emigrants  must  be  authorized  by  the  police  authorities  anc 
give  a  bond  for  a  certain  amount.  The  agent  has  to  make  a  written  contract  witl 
each  emigrant,  describing  the  kind  of  food  for  the  passage. 

8.  No  such  movement  to  divert  immigration  of  any  class  of  immigrants  alleged  t( 
be  excluded  from  this  country  is  known  here. 

9.  I  am  unable  to  give  you  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  or  restrictiii^ 
emigration  on  which  the  Norwegian  Government  would  co()perate  with  that  of  th( 
United  States.  The  Norwegian  GoA'ernment  does  not  consider  with  satisfaction  tb 
large  emigration  which  has  for  years  taken  place  here,  but  will  in  my  opinion  not  fe< 
be  willing  to  take  any  measures  for  restricting  it. 

Gerhard  Gade, 

United  States  Consul 


CONSUL  STEUABT,  ANTWERP,  BELGIUM. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Antwerp,  September  8,  1891 
Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman,  memher  Special  Commission, 

United  States  Treasury  Department  (care  of  United  States  Minister,  Berlin) 
Sir:  In  compliance  with  the  request  contained  in  the  circular  dated  July  21,  189 
I  have  the  pleasure  to  offer  the  following  answers  to  the  questions  contained  in  sai 
circular  and  inclose  a  pamphlet  giving  the  rules  governing  the  transportation 
emigrants  from  Belgium. 

1,  Emigration  is  affected  favorably  or  unfavorably  by  steamship  companies  as  th 
may  raise  or  lower  the  rates  of  transportation. 

2.- In  case  anything  should  bo  known  in  this  district  as  regards  the  engagement 
contract  laborers  for  the  United  States,  it  will  be  immediately  reported. 

3.  Criminals,  insane  persons,  and  other  defectives,  paupers,  or  persons  likely  to 
become  a  public  charge,  and  persons  afriicted  with  loathsome  or  dangerous  conta- 
gious diseases  are  in  no  manner  encouraged  to  "emigrate  to  the  United  States  from 
this  consular  district. 

4.  It  would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  apply  any  effective  system  of  exam- 
ination by  consular  otiicers,  or  agents  under  them,  of  intending  emigrants, 

6.  Emigrants  in  this  country  who  have  not  fulfilled  their  milita-7  duties  are 
treated  as  conscripts,  not  as  deserters.  They  can  appoint  a  person  to  represent  them 
when  lets  are  drawn  for  the  army ;  otherwise  they  have  to  present  themselves  im- 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     47 

mediately  on  their  return.  It  might  prohably  he  a  good  plan  to  require  intending 
emigrants  to  procure  from  the  authorities  of  their  respective  districts  a  certificate 
showing  their  character,  general  condition,  occupation,  and  exemption  from  military 
duties. 

6.  Alien  criminals  or  paupers  are  put  over  the  border  by  the  police. 

7.  In  answer  to  this  question  the  inclosed  pamphlet  is  transmitted,  giving  the  rules 
governing  the  transportation  of  emigrants. 

8.  There  is  no  systemntic  or  organised  movement  in  this  district  to  divert  emi- 
gration from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  emigrants. 

There  is  very  little  emigration  at  all  from  Belgium,  the  Belgians  as  a  rule  being 
content  in  their  homes  and  prefer  to  remain  there. 

A  great  many  emigrants  are  passing  through  here,  but  they  come  from  other  parts 
of  Europe,  to  avail  themselves  of  the  regular  steamship  lines  from  this  port. 
I  am,  sir,  yours,  truly, 

John  H.  Steuart, 

Consul. 


CONSUL  SCRLEIEB,  AMSTERDAM,  HOLLAND, 

United  States  Consulate, 
Amsterdam,  Netherlands,  September  19,  1891, 

Hon  Jno.  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission  on  Emigration,  Bremen: 

Dear  Sir:  I  take  pleasure  to  inclose  to  you  a  pamphlet  containing  the  Holland- 
ish  laws  on  emigration,  this  botli  in  the  laugnage  of  this  country  (Dutch)  and  in 
English.  The  former  is  on  the  left  of  each  page  and  the  English  on  the  right.  In 
this  you  will  fiud  nearly  all  tlie  questions,  on  which  you  desire  information  in  your 
confidential  circular,  regulated  by  law.  The  secretary  of  tlie  commission  on  emi- 
gration, Mr.  Van  Leiuiing,  informed  me  that  the  commission  enforces  these  laws  as 
strictly  as  they  can. 

To  questions  1,  2,  and  3,  I  can  safely  answer  that  there  is  no  aid  or  encouragement 
furnished  from  any  source  here  to  promote  emigration  to  the  United  States  or  to  any 
otlier  country. 

Question  4  is,  to  my  understanding,  one  of  great  importance.  Statistics  Avill,  no 
doubt,  show  you  that  as  far  as  the  native  Hollanders  Avho  emigrate  to  the  United 
States  are  concerned  no  further  restriction  w  ould  be  required  than  those  at  present 
existing;  but  Holland  is  a  seaport,  and  the  largest  porti(m  of  the  emigrants  slip- 
ping from  here  are  those  in  transit,  and  a  system  of  inspection  would,  no  doubt,  be 
of  value,  provided  the  United  States  Government  would  recjuire  emigrants *to  pro- 
cure from  the  consul  nearest  their  nativity  a  legitiuiate  certificate;  this  could  be  as 
restrictive  as  our  Government  would  like  to  have  it,  and  may  be  in  the  shape  of  a 
passport  from  the  authority  of  their  township  aud  certified  to  by  the  consul;  or  it 
may  be  in  the  shape  of  an  affidavit,  attested  to  by  two  respectable  citizens  known 
to  the  consul  as  such ;  but  under  all  circumstances  I  would  strongly  recommend 
that  all  emigrants  should  be  required,  by  obligation,  either  in  connection  with  these 
certificates,  or  separately,  to  al)rogate  any  aud  all  protection  from  their  native 
country  from  the  moment  they  have  landed  in  the  United  States.  Of  course  this 
would  necessarily  require  their  protection  from  our  Government  while  it  need  not 
give  them  the  right  of  citizenship  until  they  have  acquired  the  same  according  to 
law.  I  simply  throw  out  these  as  suggestions,  as  neither  time  nor  space  will  per- 
mit me  to  enlarge  upon  this  important  subject;  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  if  these 
suggestions  will  strike  you  favorably  you  will  easily  be  able  to  frame  this  matter  in 
such  a  way  that  Congress  could  enact  laws  which  would  hereafter  prevent  any  such 
diplomatic  complications  that  hav^been  brought  about  in  consequence  of  the  New 
Orleans  lynching. 

To  question  5,  I  will  say  none  whatever,  except  those  who  have  been  drafted  to 
the  military,  and  this  only  at  such  time  when  one  would  try  to  leave  the  country 
between  the  time  that  he  has  been  enlisted  to  enter  the  service  and  the  time  he  must 
report  for  duty. 

To  question  6,  criminals  and  paupers  are  returned  to  the  country  where  they 
owe  allegiance,  if  possible.     Paupers  usually  are  only  sent  across  the  border. 

Question  7  is  explained  by  the  inclosed  pamphlet. 

8.  I  can  not  find  anything  to  answer  affirmatively. 

9.  The  Government  of  the  Netherlands  is  very  friendly  towards  the  United  States, 
and  I  am  satisfied  that  this  Government  would  cooperate  with  our  Government  in 
any  measure  which  would  prove  an  advantage  to  the  United  States,  and  not  mate- 
rially injui'e  this  country ;  with  this,  I  believe,  A  and  C  may  be  considered  answered. 


48 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


The  emiorants  which  left  here  during  1890  vrere  as  follows : 


Netherlanders 1,288  Swedes 

Germans - 1,  677  Daues 

English 583  Americans  — 

French 24  Turkish 

Belgians 64  Luxemhurger 

Swiss 100  Finlauders. .. 

Italians 154  Brazilians  . . . 

Austrians 1,  350  Romanians . . . 

Hungarians 374  Spaniards 

Russians 583 

Poles 73  Total.. 

Norwegians 122 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant. 


21 
8 


6,646 


T.  M.  SCHLEIER, 

United  States  Consul, 


CONSUL  WILLIAMS— HAVRE. 


Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Havre,  France,  July,  29,  1891, 
Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

CJiairman  and  Members  Special  Commission, 

United  States  Treasury  Department: 
Gentlemen  :  In  reply  to  your  confidential  circular  issued  from  London,  July  21, 
1891,  and  in  the  order  of  its  numbered  questions,  without  writing  the  same,  1  hav© 
the  honor  to  report : 

(1)  In  no  manner,  except  to  attract  to  their  line  such  persons  as  have  already  de- 
termined to  emigrate.     This  is  done  by  discounts;  by  offers  of  free  wine,  etc. 

(2)  Nothing  of  the  sort  ever  practiced  in  France. 

(3)  To  no  extent  whatever. 

(4)  In  a  recent  letter  to  Dr.  Walter  Kempster,  of  your  committee,  I  crudely  out- 
lined my  idea  as  to  question  No.  4.  Being  aware  that  from  conferences,  examina 
tions,  etc.,  you  Avill  be  able  to  modify  and  improve  into  a  working  plan.  In  general 
I  reiterate  and  believe  consular  supervision  would  be  proper ;  would  be  well  received 
both  at  home  and  abroad ;  could  restrict  to  any  desired  extent;  would  be  so  con- 
ducted as  to  be  most  flexible ;  could  in  its  practice  be  as  secret  as  desired ;  would 
without  new  law  or  change  be  in  touch  with  both  the  Treasury  and  the  State  de- 
partments; would  not  seriously  interfere  with  consular  work;  would  not  demand 
new  appointees  or  require  a  new  bureau  for  supervision;  could  be  dignified,  and 
should  be  absolute.  Let  consuls  be  held  to  strict  account,  and  an  emigrant 
book,  containing  age,  sex,  nationality,  and  all  particulars,  with  name  of  consular 
officer  first  applied  to  and  who  examined  the  emigrant.  Let  this  book  be  sent  under 
seal  by  the  master  of  ship  to  the  commissioner  of  immigration  at  the  port  of  entr/ 
in  the  United  States  as  a  tally.  The  fee  paid  consuls  may  be  very  small,  and  yet  b» 
sufficient,  and  should  at  least  make  the  system  self-supporting.  An  emigrant  who 
can't  afford  such  reasonable  fee  is  too  near  pauperism  to  be  desirable. 

Probably  in  all  the  great  ports  of  Europe  where  the  bulk  of  our  immigrants  em- 
bark there  would  be  no  trouble  in  securing  resident  Americans  to  make  needed 
medical  examinations,  and  at  such  ports  consular  deputies,  etc.,  are  in  such  num 
bers  as  to  properly  attend  to  emigrant  inspection,  if  so  required. 

A  short-form  oath  might  be  administered  to  adult  emigrants  as  to  the  features  of 
crime,  contract  labor,  etc.  Other  ideas  Avere  somewhat  fully  suggested  in  my  letter 
as  referred  to.  There  is  no  restriction  in  France  as  to  her  citizens  emigrating,  ex- 
cept: First.  Minors  must  produce  certified  permission  from  parents  or  guardians, 
Second.  If  men  of  military  age  emigrate  so  as  not  to  respond  to  the  call  of  their 
names  for  service,  they  are  regarded  as  deserters,  and  while  never  extradited,  are  ar- 
rested and  punished  as  deserters  in  case  they  return  to  France.  Third.  Passports 
into  or  from  France  are  not  required. 

(5.)  Population  in  France  increased  but  1^  per  cent  between  1881  and  1886,  which 
increase  fell  to  half  of  1  per  cent  from  1886  to  1891,  and  this  causes  great  national 
alarm  and  apprehension.  Efforts  are  constant  by  the  French  Government  to  dissuade 
Frenchmen  from  emigrating  and  to  persuade  such  as  do  emigrate  to  go  to  French 
colonies.  The  nationalism  of  citizens  also  enters  as  a  factor,  and  the  stationary  con- 
dition of  the  population  causes  chagrin,  and  is  considered  a  menace  to  the  future  of 
France.     Because  of  these  facts  efforts  are  made  to  prevent  emigration. 

(6.)  AU  returned  emigrants,  those  discarded  in  the  United  States  ports,  are  returned 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     49 

I   to  their  formor  place  of  abode  at  the  expense  of  the  emigration  agency,  free  of  ex- 
pense to  the  Transatlantic  Ship  Company.     This  of  itself  is  a  great  restriction. 

(7.)  Both  unfettered  except  as  above  noted. 

(8.)  Not  in  France.     Rumors  only  as  to  other  states. 

.  (9. )  So  far  as  can  be  ascertained  by  the  trend  of  jniblic  opinion,  from  newspapers, 
parliamentary  discussions,  from  emigration  commissioners,  ship's  agents,  and  others, 
the  Government  of  France  will  cheerfully  cooperate  in  any  plan  presented  by  the 
United  States  Government. 

(a)  Of  none,  practically,  so  far  as  French  emigrants  are  concerned,  such  being  few 
in  number  and  generally  of  desirable  character. 

During  the  calendar  year  ending  December  31,  1889,  only  10,745  Frenchmen  emi- 

f rated,  and  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1890,  only  9,076,  and  official  reports 
ere  say  that  more  than  two-thirds  of  all  went  to  Argentine,  hence  not  more  than 
about  6,000  went  to  the  United  States  in  the  two  years  named. 

(h)  In  no  respect  whatever,  as  evidently  contemplated  by  the  question.  France 
seeks  to  keep  her  people  within  her  boundaries,  or  if  not,  send  them  to  her  colonies. 
While  all  emigrating  are  desirable,  and  our  Government  welcomes  all  such. 

GENERAL  INFORMATION. 

From  an  entirely  reliable  source  I  learn  a  most  peculiar  phase  of  the  emigration 
jquestion,  viz:  In  certain  villages  and  cities  of  Switzerland,  where  labor  is  poorly 
paid,  the  local  government  donates  passage  money  to  certain  of  the  artisans,  labor- 
ers, and  farmers  as  desire  to  go  to  the  United  States.  Those  so  favored  are  indus- 
trious and  worthy,  and  not  paupers,  nor  are  they  so  favored  because  of  fear  that 
they  otherwise  may  become  a  public  burden,  but  solely  l)ecanse  labor  avenues  are 
crowded  in  Switzerland,  the  earning  of  a  livelihood  most  difficult,  and  with  a 
knowledge  of  the  bettered  conditions  of  labor  in  the  United  States,  public  money 
is  ai>propriated  on  the  sentimental  and  charitable  grounds  of  improving  the  lot  of 
the  emigrants;  and  that  these  thus  favored  are  married  and  single  men,  women,  and 
I   families  of  good  health  and  character,  none  of  whom  have  so  far  been  rejected  at 

S  United  States  ports. 
Let  a  plan  which  may  be  formulated  by  your  honorable  committee  be  promulgated 
by  the  Treasury  Department,  and  reach  the  consulates  through  the  State  Depart- 
;ment.  Whatever  plan  is  thus  developed  could  be  put  into  operation  as  early  as 
It  January  1,  1892,  and  if  imperfect  could  be  supplemented,  changed  or  abandoned. 
\ ,  We  are  great  enough  to  be  a  ''law  unto  ourselves." 
J      So  far  as  the  great  seaports  of  Europe  and  the  United  States  are  concerned  I  be- 

ilieve  any  degree  of  control  is  easy  and  simple  and  certain.     I  see  vastly  greater  ob- 
stacles in  Mexico  and  Canada. 
Since  April  1  the  French  line  has  taken  from  Havre  about  10,500  third-class,  and 
.in  all  probably  12,000  emigrants,  while  tlie  Hamburg  steamers  touching  here  en  route 
ito  New  York  have,  from  Havre,  taken  perhaps  6,000  more,  besides  the  vast  number 
brought  from  Hamburg.     In  all,  an  average  of  about  1,500  emigrants  per  week  ac- 
tually leaves  Havre  for  New  York. 
Come  and  inspect  all.     I  send  forms. 
Your  obedient  servant, 

O.  F.  Williams, 
United  States  Consul  Havre. 


[Form  No.  1.] 

Forms  suggested  for  emigrant's  certificate. 

[Issiied  at  consular  station  other  than  port  of  embarking.] 

No.  of  emigrant,  1;  where  application  made,  Caen;  to  whom,  H.  M.  Hordy;  date, 
August  1,  1891;  name  of  emigrant,  .Foseph  Ricard;  sex,  male;  age,  41;  married  or 
(Mngle,  married;  where  born,  Honfleur;  where  emigrating  from,  Truville;  where  to 
embark,  Havre;  nationality,  French;  height,  5  feet  11  inches;  color  or  complexion, 
fair;  general  appearance,  robust;  is  certificate  of  mayor  as  to  character  annexed, 
yes;  is  certificate  of  doctor  as  to  health  who  examined  annexed,  yes. 

Joseph  Ricard. 

Note. — This  certificate  will  not  serve  the  purpose  intended  unless  it  be  presented 
to  (;onsul  at  embarking  port  within  six  months  of  date  thereof. 
[seal.]  Henry  M.  Hordy, 

United  States  Consular  Agent. 
Caen,  Calvados,  France, 

August  I,  1891. 

H.  Ex.  37 60 


50     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

1.  Let  each  consular  bureau  have  a  registry  book,  also  blauhs  in  the  same  form; 
enter  in  book  and  give  above  '*  Form  No.  1 "  to  the  emigrant  to  present  to  seaport 
consul,  there  to  be  hied. 

2.  The  numbers  to  run  on  from  year  to  year  at  each  bureau. 

3.  The  numbers  at  seaport  Tvould  (after  Njo.  1)  be  unlike  the  others  and  include 
all  originally  issued  for  embarking  at  that  port. 

4.  Let  seaport  numbers  also  run  on  for  years,  and  so  each  emigrant  will  be  known, 
examined,  tallied,  and  checked  by  his  number. 


[Form  No.  2,] 

Form  suggested  for  emigrants'  certificate, 

[Issued  at  port  of  departure  for  the  United  States.] 


" 


Number  of  emigrant,  11406;  where  first  certificate  issued,  Caen;  name  of  emi-* 
grant,  Joseph  Ricard;  sex,  male;  age,  41;  married  or  single,  married ;  height,  5  feet 
11  inches;  color  or  complexiou,  fair;  were  c  ;rtiticates  of  mayor  and  doctor  proper! 
yes;  embarking  by  what  ship,  Bretagne;  date  of  departure,  August  22,  1891;  port  of 
destination,  New  York;  final  destination  in  United  States,  Boston;  occupation,  | 
tailor;  nationality,  French;  does  emigrant  intend  to  become  United  States  citizen t  | 
yes;  value  baggage  taken,  $200;  other  values  taken,  $100;  value  of  estate  left  in 
Europe,  $1,000:  has  seaport  doctor's  certiticate  to  present  health?  yes;  general 
remarks,  personally  and  favorably  known  to  me.  United  States  consul,  Havre. 

Joseph  Ricard. 

Above  signature  compared  with  that  on  Form  No.  1,  and  believe  to  be  the  same. 
[SEAL.]  O.  F.  Williams, 

United  States  Consul, 
Havre,  France, 

August  20,  1891. 

Note. — This  certificate  is  not  good  except  for  ship  and  date  as  entered. 

1.  Form  No.  1  taken  up  and  filed  at  embarking  port,  and  form  No.  2  given  emi- 
grant to  show  in  New  York. 

2,  Form  No.  2  issued  and  duplicate  of  it  and  of  all  others  for  same  ship  attached 
and  sent  under  seal  by  ship's  captain  to  immigration  commissioner  for  tallying  at 
port  of  entry. 


VICE-CONSUL  GEOBGIIy  STOCKHOLM. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Stockholm,  August  11.  1891. 
Sir:  In  reply  to  your  circular  of  21st  ultimo  I  beg  below  to  render  you  such 
answers  on  the  difierent  questions  as  I  am  able  to  give: 

1.  For  the  most  part  by  the  different  steamsliip  line  agents  and  by  relatives;  only 
comparatively  few  go  out  from  own  desire  to  change  and  to  try  the  United  States. 

2.  No  extent  openly. 

3.  Formerly  more,  now  very  little,  if  at  all.  No  encouragement  by  the  Govern- 
ment. 

4.  Depends  upon  how  far  reaching  the  examination  should  go.  Think  impractica- 
ble with  any  amount  of  success  to  examine  on  this  side.  The  now  existing  laws  in 
the  United  States  are,  in  my  opinion,  the  most  effective  system,  and  when  the  ships 
are  bound  to  bring  back  such  people  as  are  not  mentally  and  pliysically  sound  and 
not  enabled  to  work,  this  will  certainly  compel  their  agents  to  look  out.  A  groat 
number  of  interrogatories  to  the  consulate  have  come  forward  this  year  with  respect 
to  the  effect  of  the  new  law,  and  1  have  no  doubt  that  many  doubtful  persons  have 
been  kept  away  from  going  by  the  replies  they  liave  received  from  the  consulate 
The  consul  can,  in  my  opinion,  scarcely  detect  contracts  if  people  wish  to  conce; 
them.  The  Swedish  laws  prevent  young  men  under  military  service  to  emigrai 
unless  special  license  is  given,  which,  in  most  cases,  however,  is  granted.  The  au 
thorities  control  this  part  of  the  question. 

5.  Not  encouraged  in  any  way. 

6.  The  criminals  and  paupers  belong  to  the  communities  where  they  have  been 
last  registered  in  the  parish  and  chuich  records,  and  are  sent  there  at  the  expense 
of  said  community. 


e. 


1 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     51 

7.  The  Swedisli  emigration  law  is  of  4th  of  June;  1884^  and  I  beg  to  send  you  sepa- 
rate a  copy  of  the  same. 

8.  No. 

9.  As  the  Swedish  Government  is  desirous  to  keep  the  good  people  at  home,  it  is 
i  evident  it  would  not  cooperate  in  any  way  to  promote  emigration,  but  on  the  other 

hand  I  don't  think  they  would  pass  any  restrictive  laws  save  with  respect  to  young 
men  under  military  service. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Axel  Georgii, 
United  States  Fice-Consul. 
j ,  Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission, 

United  States  Treasury  Department^  Washington.* 

P.  S. — There  is  also  a  new  law  of  28th  January,  1887,  about  what  a  man  under 
jmilitary  duty  has  to  perform  in  order  to  obtain  permission  to  emigrate,  and  I  send  a 
copy  of  same  together  with  the  other  law. 


CONSUL  RAWICZ,  WARSAW,  POLISH  RUSSIA. 

Answers  to  queries  of  the  Commission  investigating  European  immigration  to  the  United 
States,  with  reference  to  the  Kingdom  of  Poland. 

1.  This  consular  district,  comprising  the  ten  governments  of  Russian  Poland  lying 
upon  the  Vistula  River,  has  no  seaport  in  its  boundaries,  and  consequently  no  emi- 
grants are  conveyed  hence  on  steamships.  People  ejuigrating  from  this  country 
generally  go  to  Bremen  or  Hamburg,  as  was  the  case  last  year,  when  nearly  10,000 
left  l*ohiud  for  Brazil  via  Bremen,  enticed  by  deceitful  promises  of  the  Portuguese 
and  German  agencies.  A  few  hundred  of  these  emigrants  were  brought  back  this 
year  from  Brazil,  at  the  cost  of  a  public  subscription  made  at  Warsaw  and  authorized 
by  government.  The  Brazilian  fever  seems  now  to  have  abated.  Still  many  work- 
men without  employment  seek  their  way  across  the  Atlantic  in  search  of  better  earn- 
ings. Laborers  and  reasonable  people  go  out  for  the  most  part  to  the  United  States 
in  yireference  to  other  2)arts  of  the  American  continent.  In  general,  emigration  of 
the  rural  classes,  as  well  as  of  Jews,  is  a  leading  question  and  is  of  daily  occurrence 
in  this  consular  district. 

2.  No  open  emigration  agencies  are  tolerated  here.  Secret  agents  receiving  orders 
from  Germany  swarm  in  the  more  populous  districts,  and  these  agents  have  lately 
been  prosecuted  by  the  authorities,  who  have  caused  them  in  many  instances  to  be 
tried  and  put  in  jail, 

3.  No  disal>led  parties  are  encouraged  by  anybody  to  emigrate  to  America.  The 
flight  of  criminals  is  also  rare.  People  who  go  out  to  America  are  mostly  young 
and  healthy;  generally  they  are  peasants,  artisans,  miners  and  factory  laborers, 
.lews  emigrate  to  a  large  extent  to  America  with  their  families,  or  alone,  and  after 
liaving  settled  down  in  the  States  get  their  families  to  come  over. 

4.  The  laws  of  this  country  forbid  to  entice  anybody  to  emigrate.  Nobody  is 
allowed  to  go  abroad  without  a  legal  passport,  which  costs  half  yearly  15  roubles 
and  can  be  issued  maximum  for  five  years,  unless  he  crosses  the  border  secretly,  and 
then  on  his  return  he  is  liable  to  fines  and  penalties,  even  to  deportation  to  Siberia, 
according  to  article  325  of  the  criminal  code,  if  he  has  sworn  allegiance  to  a  foreign 
power  without  his  government's  permission.  People  intending  to  go  over  to  Amer- 
ica rarely  require  the  vis6  of  their  passports  by  this  consulate,  though  since  the 
beginning  of  the  current  year  this  has  happened  more  frequently  than  before.  Ex- 
amination of  intending  emigrants  by  United  States  consuls  would  be  impracticable 
in  this  country.  All  that  might  be  done  w^ould  be  to  instruct  consuls  in  a  concise 
way  when  to  grant  the  vis6  of  passports  and  in  what  case  to  refuse  it. 

5.  The  Government  here  does  not  encourage  emigration ;  it  rather  hinders  it,  except 
for  Jews,  who  are  supposed  to  cross  the  border  even  without  passports,  provided 
thf  country  gets  rid  of  them.  For  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  tliat  they  form  nearly 
one-fifth  of  the  whole  population  of  the  Kingdom  of  Poland,  numbering  8,2.50,000  of 
inhabitants.  Young  men  approaching  the  age  when  they  are  l)0und  to  military 
service  exjjerience  diflficulties  in  obtaining  passports  for  abroatl. 

6.  Ejections  of  aliens  are  not  frequent,  and  occurs  occasionally,  only  for  political 

*  At  present  in  Bremen. 


52      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

motives.  During-  tlie  last  few  years  foreign  Jews  liave  been  ejected  as  a  rule,  though 
many  of  them,  especially  if  wealthy,  have  found  means  of  avoiding  the  proscription 
of  the  law,  or  have  been  admitted  even  to  Russian  citizenship. 

7.  Passports  of  emigration,  independently  of  ordinary  passports  for  abroad,  are  { 
conceded  by  law.  But  to  obtain  them  involves  expense  and  long  formalities. 
Lately  I  believe  these  obstacles  have  been  alleviated,  and  passports  of  emigratioD 
are  issued  at  present  by  the  general-governor  of  Warsaw  without  the  condition  pre- 
viously required,  that  the  intending  emigrant  should  produce  the  consent  of  a  for- 
eign power  to  receive  him  into  allegiance. 

8.  No  class  of  people  are  systematically  excluded  from  this  country,  and  on  the 
other  hand  no  general  movement  favoring  emigration  is  tolerated.  Willful  emigrants 
leave  the  country  as  common  travelers,  or  if  too  poor  to  take  out  a  passport,  cross 
the  border  in  a  clandestine  manner.  No  statistics  of  such  emigrants  are  kept,  nor 
have  any  at  least  been  published  till  now.  But  it  is  well  known  that  the  border  dis- 
tricts on  the  Prussian  frontier  furnish  the  greatest  part  of  emigrants.  It  is  a  com- 
mon thing,  especially  in  the  government  of  Suvalki,  forming  the  northern  boundary 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Poland,  that  young  men  go  out  to  the  United  States  only  for  a 
time,  and,  after  having  earned  some  hundreds  of  dollars  or  more,  as  the  case  may 
be,  return  to  their  native  village.  These  men  of  Lithuanian  nationality  are  gener- 
ally sober  and  industrious. 

9.  The  government  in  this  country  would,  as  it  seems,  be  contrary  to  any  general 
movement  of  immigration,  but  would  perhaps  not  be  disinclined  to  make  some 
concessions  in  that  respect  as  regards  Jews. 

Joseph  Rawicz, 

United  States  Consul, 

Warsaw,  July  28, 1891. 


CONSUL  WERTREIM,  MOSCOW. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Moscow,  Septeinh&r  8,  1891, 
Col.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasury  Department: 

(Care  U.  S.  Consulate,  Bremen). 

Dear  Sir  :  I  believe  that  during  your  visit  to  Moscow  I  gave  you  as  complete  an- 
swers as  I  could  possibly  obtain  upon  all  questions  touching  the  subject  of  emi- 
gration to  the  United  States,  and  have  but  little  if  anything  more  to  add  at  present. 
Still  in  order  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the  circular  of  your  Commission  I  now  give 
you,  in  a  succinct  form,  such  answers  as  I  can  to  the  queries  it  contains. 

The  laws  of  the  country  are  opposed  to  free  emigration,  so  that  its  promotion  by 
steamship  company  agents,  etc.,  is  not  practicable,  and  for  the  same  reason  an  ex- 
amination of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consular  officers  or  other  recog- 
nized agents  in  this  country  could  not  be  effected  without  creating  displeasure  to 
and  possibly  resulting  in  a  prohibition  by  the  local  authorities. 

In  most  exceptional  cases  the  consular  officer,  when  applied  to,  might,  provided 
the  intending  emigrant  is  known  to  him,  testify  to  his  eligibility  as  such,  by  certifi- 
cate in  semiofficial  form. 

With  reference  to  question  No.  6:  Alien  criminals  are  subject  to  the  laws  of  the 
country,  and  alien  paupers  are  in  most  cases  relieved  or  sent  home  by  benevolent 
societies,  formed  by  their  countrymen;  the  administrative  jjowers  may,  however,  at 
any  time  get  rid  of  any  alien  criminal  or  pauper  by  sending  him  across  the  border, 
where  he  is  left  to  shift  for  himself. 

All  the  remaining  questions  are,  I  think,  disposed  of  by  the  more  fact  that  the  re- 
strictions to  emigration  are  numerous,  and  is  by  no  means  a  right,  as  the  law  does 
not  recognize  it  to  be  so. 

I  hope  that  you  and  Dr.  Kempster  will  have  reached  Bremen  all  well,  and  wish 
you  both  a  pleasant  journey  home. 

If  at  any  time  I  can  l>e  of  any  use  to  you  here  pray  let  me  know. 
Believe  me,  deai  sir,  yours,  faithfully, 

H.  Wertheim. 


ENFOECEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  53 

CONSUL-GENERAL  CRAWFORD,  ST.  PETERSBURG. 

United  States  Consulate-General, 

St.  Petersburg,  September  1,  1891, 
Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  U.  S.  Emigration  Commission, 

(Care  of  U.  S.  Consulate,  Bremen) : 
Sir  :  In  reply  to  your  coufiflential  letter  of  July  21,  1891,  I  take  pleasnre  in  com- 
municating the  following  opinions  relative  to  the  questions  propounded  therein : 

1.  Nil. 

2.  Nil. 

3.  I  find  no  evidence  that  any  such  persons  are  encouraged  by  the  Government  to 
emigrate  to  the  United  States. 

4.  In  my  opinion  it  would  be  effective,  easy  of  application,  and  free  of  material 
expense  to  have  a  consular  inspection  of  all  such  people  as  are  intending  to  emigrate 
to  the  United  States.  With  the  thorough  police  and  military  systems  in  vogue  in 
this  country  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  and  practicable,  were  such  a  requirement 
on  the  part  of  the  United  States  made,  and  the  same  properly  advertised  in  the 
Russian  press,  to  learn  the  personal  antecedents,  habits,  and  previous  life  of  appli- 
cants for  admission  to  the  United  States.  The  laws  governing  military  service  do 
not  prevent  the  voluntary  escape  of  subjects  thus  indebted  to  this  Government.  If, 
however,  such  peojjle  were  to  apply  for  a  consular  certificate,  not  one  of  them  would 
be  successful,  for  a  notice  to  the  police  and  military  authorities  would  at  a  glance 
bring  the  reply  that  such  applicants  are  owing  military  service  and  will  not  be  al- 
lowed to  leave.  The  passport  system  does  not  prevent  such  from  leaving  the  coun- 
try, as  all  such  would  not  hesitate  to  represent  that  they  are  going  to  some  town 
across  the  border  on  some  business  affair.  Thus  escaped,  they  do  not  return,  except 
from  their  own  choice.  The  question  of  contract  laborers  can  hardly  be  said  to 
touch  the  question  of  emigration  from  Russia.  The  question  of  criminals  and  that 
of  persons  liable  to  bec(>me  a  public  charge  is  vital  to  the  question  here.  Numbers 
of  such  subjects  of  this  Government  have  a  history  easy  to  learn,  and  which  would 
prevent  them  from  obtaining  a  consular  certificate,  as  a  letter  of  inquiry  sent  to  the 
proper  authorities  of  the  proper  localities  would  bring  an  answer  making  it  impos- 
sible for  the  consular  officer  to  grant  them  certificates  of  admission  to  the  States. 

.0.  Emigration  is  discouraged  by  governmental  regulations,  although  it  can  not 
thus  be  i^revented. 

6.  According  to  my  advices  alien  paupers  and  criminals  have  to  make  their  way 
among  this  people  the  same  as  Russian  subjects.  It  is  not  the  rule  to  return  them, 
nor  to  send  them  across  the  border,  except  in  special  and  extraonlinary  cases. 

7.  This  evidence  you  have  already  in  your  possession. 

8.  I  know  of  no  such  systematic  or  organized  movement. 

9.  I  have  been  credibly  informed  that  this  Government  would  gladly  cooperate 
with  that  of  the  United  States  to  regulate  and  restrict  the  emigration  of  criminals, 
paupers,  and  other  persons  known  here  as  unworthy  subjects.  I  believe  there  would 
be  essential  points  of  difference  between  the  two  Governments  in  this  great  question. 


CONSUL  PIATT,  CORK. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States, 

Cork  (Queenstown),  August  19,  1891. 
Answers  to  questions  in  circular  dated  July  21,  1891,  numbered  according  to  the 
questions,  respectively: 

1.  There  is  no  special  effort  made  by  steamship  companies  to  encourage  emigration 
to  the  United  States.  The  emigration  here  appears  to  be  a  natural  outflow  of  the 
people.  The  rival  companies  merely  endeavor  to  secure  for  their  individual  lines 
Avhiit  proportion  of  the  emigration  they  can  get. 

2.  There  is  no  such  organization,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  in  this  country.  Numer- 
ous emigrants,  however,  go  on  tickets  prepaid  by  their  friends  in  the  United  States. 

3.  Every  effort  is  made  by  steamship  agents  to  prevent  such  emigration.  I  am 
not  aware  of  any  endeavor  by  public  authorities  or  otherwise  to  encourage  such 
emigration. 

4.  I  think  it  would  be  practicable  at  this  port  to  apply  a  system  of  examination, 
but  it  could  not  be  efficiently  carried  out  under  a])out  $1,.500  or  $2,000  per  annum  for 
employment  of  experts.  I  should  suggest  a  system  of  certification  similar  to  that  of 
the  South  Australian  Government  agencies  in  Great  Britain — see  iuclosure — to  be 
visaed  by  consuls  at  port  of  embarkation  in  any  doubtful  case. 


leyl 


54  ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS. 

5.  Ell  gratiou  is  not  hindered  or  encouraged.     Formerly  it  was  encouraged 
poor-lair  guardians. 

6.  Alien  paupers  are  sent  to  workhouses  here,  and  there  is  no  law  by  which  they 
can  be  deported,  beiug  treated  the  same  as  local  paupers.     Criminal  pauper  fugi- 
tives who  come  here  are  under  the  same  eati^ory,  except  where  the  representatives  . 
of  their  respective  countries  claim  them  under  extradition.     They  would  not  be  in 
terfered  with  unless  they  broke  the  local  laws. 

7.  Emigration  is  regulated  by  the  Board  of  Trade  under  the  passenger  act.     Immi 
grants  are  free  to  come;  they  merely  come  under  the  customs  laws  and  quarantine  : 
officers. 

8.  I  know  of  none. 

9.  I  do  not.  The  British  Government  issues  warnings  agaiust  emigration  to  any 
country  where  their  consuls  report  that  it  would  be  dangerous  or  unfavorable  to  the 
welfare  of  British  emigrants  to  settle. 

John  J.  Piatt, 

Consul.  ' 
United  States  Consulate  at  Cork. 


Form  inclosed  hy  Consul  Piatt. 

[There  is  no  charge  to  be  made  for  this  form. — This  half-sheet  to  be  kept  by  the  applicant.] 

QUEENSLAND  GOVERNMENT  EMIGRATION  OFFICES,  LONDON. 

Directions  to  be  observed  by  persons  wanting  free  or  assisted  passages  to  Queens- 
land; and  the  conditions  on  which  the  passage,  when  granted,  must  be  understood  i 
to  be  accepted. 

DESCRIPTION   OF   PERSONS   ELIGIBJ.E.  ^ 

1.  The  Queensland  government  grant  passages  to  persons  eligible  as  to  occupation 
and  passed  at  the  Queensland  Government  Emigration  Office,  on  the  payment  per 
adult  of  the  amount  mentioned  at  the  top  of  first  page,  two  children  of  twelve  months 
and  under  twelve  years  of  age  counting  as  one  adult. 

2.  The  class  of  persons  eligible  are  domestic  servants,  farmers,  farm  laborers,  vine- 
dressers, laborers,  and  their  families.  By  ''  laborers"  is  to  be  understood  those  whose 
labour  has  been  connected  in  some  way  with  the  laud,  such  as  farm  servants,  gar- 
deners, road-makers,  miners,  quarrymen,  navvies,  and  the  like,  and  such  other  per- 
sons as  the  agent-general,  with  the  authority  of  tlie  government  of  the  colony,  deem 
eligible. 

3.  All  the  adults  must  be  capable  of  labour.  The  candidates  most  acceptable  are 
young  married  couples  without  children,  iamilies  with  a  large  proportion  of  daugh- 
ters over  14  years  of  age,  and  female  domestic  servants  of  good  character. 

4.  The  separation  of  husbands  and  wives,  and  of  parents  from  children  under  15, 
will  in  no  case  be  allowed. 

5.  Single  women  can  not  be  taken  without  their  parents,  unless  they  go  under  the 
immediate  care  of  some  respectable  married  couple,  or  are  willing  to  be  placed  under 
the  care  of  the  person  appointed  as  matron  on  board  the  ship. 

6.  No  persons,  whether  adults  or  children,  can  be  accepted  unless  they  have  been 
vaccinated  or  have  had  the  smallpox. 

7.  No  applicant  will  be  accepted  without  decisive  certificates  of  good  character 
and  of  efficiency  in  his  professed  trade  or  calling. 

Certificates  of  marriage  will  be  required,  also  extract  of  the  register  of  birth,  or 
the  certificate  of  baptism,  specifying  the  ac/e,  for  any  children  under  twelve  years,  or 
if  these  can  not  be  procured,  a  declaration  of  age,  signed  before  a  magistrate,  and 
witnessed  by  him;  and  these  must  he  sent  up  with  tlieform,  all  the  spaces  being  carefully 
filled  up,  exactly  in  accordance  with  these  directions.  Declaration  forms  for  a^e  of  chil- 
dren may  be  obtained  at  the  Queensland  Government  Emigration  Office,  Westmin- 
ster Chambers,  1  Victoria  Street,  London,  but  the  declaration  fonu  must  not 
be  used  except  in  cases  where  the  register  of  birth,  or  certificate  of  baptism,  speci- 
fying the  age,  can  not  be  procured. 

APPLICATION  AND  APPROVAL. 

8.  Applications  must  be  made  in  the  form  annexed,  which  must  be  duly  filled  up 
and  attested,  as  explained  in  the  form  itself,  and  then  forwarded  to  the  Queensland 
Government  Emigration  Office,  with  an  intimation  of  the  probable  date  it  will  be 
convenient  for  the  applicant  to  embark.  The  certificates  of  birth  and  marriage  a» 
above  explained  to  be  sent  ivith  the  form. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     55 

9.  It  must  he  distiiiclJi/  nnderstood  that  the  filling  up  the  form  confers  no  claim  to  a 
passage,  unless  the  candidates  are  deemed  desirable  for  the  colony,  and  can  he  accepted  con- 
sistenily  with  the  shipping  arrangements  at  the  time  the  application  is  made. 

10.  If  approved  of,  the  applicauts  will  receive  a  passage  as  soon  as  arrangements 
will  admit.  But  no  preparation  must  on  any  account  he  made  hy  the  applicants,  either  by 
withdrawing  from  employment  or  otherwise,  until  they  have  received  answers  stating  that 
they  are  accepted,  and  have  also  received  notice  of  the  ship  in  which  they  are  to  em- 
hark,  and  of  the  time  and  place  of  joining  her. 

11.  Should  it  be  found  that  any  of  the  signatures  attached  to  the  certificates  are 
not  genuine,  or  that  any  other  deception  is  attempted,  the  application  will  he  re- 
jected; or  should  anyone,  on  pers(mal  examination  at  the  port  of  embarkation,  or 
on  board,  be  discovered  to  have  made  any  misstatement  whatever,  with  regard  to 
age,  trade,  or  calling,  health,  &c.,  such  persons  will  not  be  allowed  to  proceed  in 
the  ship.  To  prevent  disappointment,  therefore,  applicants  should  be  very  careful 
to  have  their  trade  or  calling  and  ages  correctly  stated  in  their  application  form. 

SUBSEQUENT  PROCEEDINGS. 

12.  If,  after  arrival  at  the  port  of  embarkation  of  persons  receiving  these  passages, 
they  or  any  of  their  family  are  found  not  to  be  in  a  fit  state  of  health  to  embark,  or 
have  any  mental  or  bodily  defect  likely  to  impair  their  usefulness  as  laborers,  or  to 
have  left  any  of  their  yoimg  children  behind,  or  to  have  brought  with  them  more 
children  than  are  mentioned  in  their  application  form,  they  can  not  be  received  on 
board  the  ship,  or  if  embarked  must  be  landed  again,  without  having  any  claim  for 
a  passage. 

13.  If  any  persons  fail  to  attend  at  the  appointed  time  and  place  for  embarkation, 
or  to  proceed  in  the  ship,  or  are  rejected  for  any  of  the  reasons  specified  in  the  pre- 
ceding directions,  they  will  not  be  able  to  claim  a  passage  by  any  future  ship,  and 
the  money  paid  will  be  forfeited. 

14.  Provisions  and  medical  attendance  will  be  supplied  by  the  ship.  Persons 
must  bring  their  own  clothing,  which  will  be  inspected  at  the  port  by  an  officer,  and 
all  parties  are  particularly  desired  to  observe  that  they  will  not  be  allowed  to  em- 
bark unless  they  provide  themselves  with  a  sufficient  supply  for  the  voyage.  The 
lowest  quantity  that  can  be  admitted  for  each  adult  is  as  follows : 


Outfit  of  clothing. 


FOR  MALES. 


Two  pairs  white  trousers. 

One  comb  and  brush. 

Four  towels. 

Six  shirts. 

Three  sheets. 

Six  pairs  of  stockings. 

Two  warm  flannel  or  Guernsey  shirts. 

Two  pairs  of  shoes. 

Two  complete  suits  of  strong  exterior 

clothing.  j       warm. 

One  pair  slippers.  |  One  pair  slippers 


FOR  FEMALES. 


Two  cotton  dresses. 

One  comb  and  brush. 

Four  towels. 

Six  shifts. 

Three  sheets. 

Two  warm  and  strong  flannel  petticoats. 

Six  pairs  of  stockings. 

Two  pairs  of  shoes. 

Two  strong  gowns,  one  of  which  must  be 


But  for  each  child,  nine  shirts  or  shifts,  four  warm  flannel  waistcoats,  and  one 
warm  cloak  or  outside  coat,  six  pairs  of  stockings,  two  pairs  of  strong  shoes,  and 
two  complete  suits  of  exterior  clothing  are  required. 

SHIP   KIT. 

15.  The  articles  contained  in  the  subjoined  list  must  be  also  paid  for  by  persons 
receiving  these  passages,  but  will  be  sup^ilied  to  them  on  their  joining  the  ship.  For 
this  purpose  they  will  be  required  to  send  up  the  money  named  at  the  top  of  page 
1,  to  the  Queensland  Government  Emigration  Office,  on  the  following  scale  for  each 
adult : 

SO  shilling  kit. 


1  bed  and  pillow. 

1  pair  blankets  (or  rug). 

1  pair  sheets. 

1  wash  basin. 

1  plate. 

1  hat  and  pugaree. 


2  drinking  mugs. 

1  knife  and  fork. 

2  spoons. 

3  lbs.  marine  soap, 
2  canvas  bags. 

1  brush. 


56 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


These  things,  together  with  the  necessary  brushes  aucl  combs,  and  clothes  brushes 
for  cleanliuess,  must  be  provided  also  hy  persons  receiving  these  passages.  They 
must  not  have  less  than  the  above  outfit,  but  the  larger  the  stock  of  clothing  the 
better  for  health  and  comfort  during  the  voyage,  which  usually  lasts  two  or  four 
mouths,  and  as  the  voyagers  have  always  t<»  pass  through  very  hot  and  very  cold 
weather,  they  should  be  prepared  for  both.  Two  or  three  colored  serge  shirts  for 
men,  and  an  extra  8uj)ply  of  flannel  for  women  and  children,  are  strongly  recom- 
mended. 

16.  It  is  desirable  that  parties  should  take  out  with  them  the  necessary  tools  of 
their  trade.  Bulky  agricultural  implements,  however,  can  not  be  admitted,  on 
account  of  their  inconvenient  size  and  weight;  neither  can  furniture  be  received 
on  board.     Feather  beds  are  especially  prohibited. 

17.  The  whole  quantity  of  baggage  for  each  adult  person  must  not  measure  more 
than  20  cubic  or  solid  feet,  nor  exceed  half  a  ton  in  weight.  It  must  be  divided  into 
two  or  three  boxes,  the  contents  of  which  must  be  closely  packed,  so  as  to  save 
space  in  the  ship;  and  the  owner's  name  should  be  legibly  painted  thereon  in  white 
paint.  Large  packages  and  extra  baggage  will  not  be  taken  unless  paid  for,  and 
then  only  in  case  there  be  room  in  the  ship. 

18.  Each  family  will  be  allowed  to  take  only  its  own  luggage.  Any  violation  of 
this  rule  will  subject  the  party  to  a  forfeiture  of  his  passage. 

19.  On  arrival  in  the  colony,  all  passengers,  unless  going  out  under  special  agree- 
ment, will  be  at  perfect  liberty  to  engage  themselves  to  anyone  willing  to  employ 
them,  and  to  make  their  own  bargain  for  wages.  They  will  be  expected  strictly  to 
observe  on  board  the  regulations  framed  with  a  view  to  their  health  and  comfort. 
during  the  voyage.  » 

Letters  and  applications  should  be  addressed  postpaid  to  the  Agent-General  for 
Queensland,  Westminster  Chambers,  1  Victoria  street,  London,  S.  W. 

Form  for  single  applicant,  Queensland. 

IThere  is  no  charge  to  be  made  for  this  form.] 

This  form,  when  filled  up,  is  to  be  separated  from  the  preceding  directions  and 
returned  by  book  post,  prepaid,  directed  to  the  local  agent,  who  will  forward  it  to 
the  agent-general  for  Queensland,  Westminster  Chambers,  1  Victoria  street,  Lon- 
don, who  will  forward  all  selected  emigrants  in  the  ships  sailing  under  his  direction 
for  Queensland. 

This  paper  must  be  kept  clean,  and  will  be  returned  unless  filled  up  exactly  ac- 
cording to  the  directions  given.  Nothing  additional  must  be  written  on  the  form; 
any  remarks  the  applicant  wishes  to  make  must  be  by  letter.  No  erasure  or  muti- 
lation must  be  made. 

Amount  to  be  paid  for statute  adults,  £  —  $.  —  d.  —  ?  rp-^..]    o       -       ^ 

Amount  to  be  paid  for ship-kits,  £  —  s.  —  d.  —  ^  ■^°^^^'  x  —  s.  —  a. —. 


Name  of  applicant. 

at  List 
birth- 
day. 

Amount 
to  be 
paid. 

County 
where 
bom. 

Day 

and  year 
when 
bom. 

State 
whether 

vacci- 
nated or 
had  the 
smallpox. 

State 
relig- 
ion. 

Can  the  appli- 
cant read  and 

write? 
Sav"Ye3,"  or 
"Ifo,"  opposite 

name. 

Kits. 

Read. 

Write. 

1.  Full  postal  address  for" 

letters  to  find  you 

Note.— If  changed, 
make  known  at  once. . 

• 

2.  State  here  what  you  are. 

ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


57 


If  the  applicant  hasi 
been  employed  in  any- 
other  way  than  above, 
state  in  what  way  and 
how  long- 


4.  What   is   the   longest] 
time  you  have  worked 
for    one    employer?  i 
Give  his  name,  occu- 1 
jtation,  and  address.. j 


5.  Name,  address,  and  oc-' 
cupation  of  present 
employer,  and  the 
time  the  applicant 
worked  for  him 


Name  and  address  o: 
the  minister  of  the 
parish  in  which  the 
applicant  resides 


Has  applicant  been  in 
the  receipt  of  parish 
relief;  and,  if  so,  for 
how  long 


Has  applicant  been  outj 
before  to  any  colony;) 
and,  if  so,  to  which . . . ; 


Which  port  in  Queens- 
land does  applicant 
wish  to  go  to  I  If  no 
special  choice,  write 
"Not  particular." 
Applicant  will  then 
be  landed  where  la- 
bour most  in  demand . 


Applicants  must  clearly  understand 
that  their  contract  ticket  shows 
the  port  to  which  tlieir  passage  is 
arranged  for,  and  that  if  they  de- 
sire to  go  to  any  other  \)OTt  after- 
wards tlie  expense  must  be  borne 
by  themselves. 


10. 


If  applicant  has  any' 
relatives  or  friends  in 
Australia  or  New 
Zealand,  please  state 
where 


I  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  declare  that  all  the  above  statements  are  true;  that  I 
have  carefully  read,  or  have  heard  read,  tlie  directions  contained  in  the  paper  at- 
tached to  this  form,  and  that  in  applying  for  a  pa.ssage  to  the  colony,  I  am  truly 
acting  in  accordance  with  the  spirit  of  those  directions,  which  I  understand  to  be 
this:  That  the  privilege  of  a  passage,  if  granted,  will  be  allowed  me  on  the  faith 
tljat  I  really  belong  to  the  classes  named,  am  of  good  character,  have  never  been 
convicted  of  crime,  and  that  I  have  never  previously  resided  in  any  of  the  Australian 
Colonies,  and  that  I  proceed  to  Queensland  intending  to  remain  there,  and  not  with 
the  view  of  going  to  any  other  colony ;  and  that  in  the  event  of  my  obtaining  a  pass- 
age to  the  colony,  I  hereby  undertake  to  remain  in  Queensland  for  at  least  twelve 
months  from  the  date  of  my  arrival;  and  I  further  declare  that  I  have  neither  paid 
nor  agreed  to  pay,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  passage,  any  fee  or  gratuity  what- 
ever to  or  for  the  use  of  the  party  through  whom  this  application  is  made,  nor  any 
one  else.  I  also  engage  to  conform  to  the  directions  of  the  appointed  officers  and  to 
such  regulations  as  may  be  established  for  the  good  government  and  welfare  of  all 
during  the  voyage;  and  I  pledge  myself  not  to  leave  the  ship  until  she  reaches  her 
destination. 

Signature  of  applicant, . 

N.  B. — Any  free,  assisted,  or  nominated  emigrant  who  obtains  a  passage  and  ar- 
rives in  Queensland  with  the  intentionof  immediately  proceeding  to  another  colony, 
will  be  deemed  to  be  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  be  liable,  on  conviction,  to  twelve 
months'  imprisonment.  Leaving  or  attempting  to  leave  the  colony  within  three 
months  after  arrival  will  be  considered  as  prima  facie  evidence  of  the  intention. 

Immigration  act,  amendment  act  of  1SS7,  Section  4. — Any  person  who  arrives  in  the 
colony  under  the  provisions  of  the  seventeenth  section  of  the  principal  act,  or  as  a 


58     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

free,  assisted,  or  nominated  immigrant,  having-  previously  resided  in  any  of  the  Au8-< 
tralian  colonies,  shall  be  liable,  on  summary'  conviction,  to  a  penalty  not  exceeding! 
£50,  with  or  without  imprisonment  for  any  period  not  exceeding  twelve  mouths.  ^ 
It  is  particularly  requested  that  no  one  will  sign  these  certificates  unless  convinced^ 
of  the  truth  of  their  statements.  ^ 


\' 


Certificate  to  6e  signed  ly  present  or  late  employer.  t 

I  certify  that ,  now  residing  at ,  has  been  employed  by  myself 

as .     He  is  comjDetent  in  that  calling,  and  of  good  character,  and  has  never  to 

my  knowledge  been  convicted  of  crime.  \ 

Signature, .  ft 

Residence, .  * 

Post  town, .  '; 


Certificate  of  a  physician  or  surgeon.  .    ^' 

I  certify  that  I  have  examined  the  above-named  applicant,  and  that  I  have  known 
as  a  resident  of  this  i^arish  for  last years,  and  that is  not 


riously  mutilated  or  deformed  in  person,  nor  has  any  mental  or  bodily  defect  what- 
ever, or  in  my  opinion  altiicted  with  any  disease  calculated  to  shorten  life,  or  to 

impair  physical  and  mental  energy.     I  certify  also  that has  been  vaccinated, 

and  is  entirely  free  from  any  disease  usually  considered  infectious  or  contagious, 
and  that is  capable  of  labor  in calling.  ^ 

teignature, .  f! 

Residence, .  >. 

The  surgeon  is  particularly  requested  before  signing  this,  to  thoroughly  examine 
the  applicant  and  to  make  any  remarks  he  may  consider  necessary,  as  all  emigrants 
are  subject  to  rejection  on  arrival  at  the  ship.  The  surgeon  is  also  requested,  whett; 
signing  the  form,  to  state  his  qualifications. 


Certificate  of  either  the  magistrate  or  minister  of  religion  in  the  parish  or  neighhorhood  in 

which  the  applicant  resides. 

I  certify  that  I  have  perused  the  foregoing  statements,  and  have  no  reason  to 
doubt  their  truth.  I  further  certify,  to  the  best  of  my  belief,  that  the  above  certifi- 
cates are  authentic,  and  that  the  persons  whose  signatures  are  affixed  to  them  are 
worthy-  of  credit. 

Signature  of  the  magistrate, . 

Residence, .  * 

Signature  of  the  minister  of  religion, . 

Residence, . 

CAUTIONS. 

1.  No  payment  whatever  should  be  made  to  any  person  in  respect  of  application  for 
passages,  nor  for  any  papers  issued  by  the  agent-general.  Local  agents  have  no 
authority  to  receive  money  or  to  x)romise  passages. 

2.  The  filling  up  of  this  form  confers  no  claim  to  a  passage.  If  approved,  appli-: 
cants  should  not' give  up  their  employment  or  break  up  their  homes  until  they  re- 
ceive an  order  showing  when  and  wliere  they  are  to  embark. 

3.  If  this  paper  contains  any  false  statements  or  false  signatures,  the  party  will 
not  only  forfeit  his  deposit  and  all  claim  to  a  passage,  but  also  render  himself  liable, 
under  the  '^ passengers  act,"  to  a  penalty  of  not  exceeding  £50. 

4.  If  upon  arrival  at  the  depot,  applicants  are  found  to  have  any  infectious  dis- 
order, or  any  bodily  or  mental  defect  likely  to  impair  their  usefulness,  or  not  to  have 
truly  stated  their  case,  they  will  not  be  embarked  or  maintained  at  the  public  ex- 
pense, and  will  forfeit  any  deposit  they  may  have  paid. 

[Printed  on  left  side  of  sheet.]— This  margin  must  not  be  cut  away. 

I; ,  certify  that  the  applicant  has  been  seen  by ,  and 

that is  in  every  way  eligible,  that is  of  the  occupation  and  age  stated, 

and know  the  signatures  to  the  certificates  to  be  genuine. 

Agent,  Mr. . 

Address, . 

Issued ,  18—. 

Queensland  Government  Offices, 

Westminster  Chambers,  1  Victoria  Street,  London,  S.  W. 


ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN    CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS.  59 

VICE-CONSUL  GIBSON,  GLASGOW. 

Answers  by.  William  Gibson,  United  States  vice-consul,  Glasgow  (in  the  absence 
of  Mr,  Consul  Brown  in  America),  to  circular  by  emigration  commission  of  July 
21, 1891 : 

1.  So  far  as  I  can  ascertain  only  by  advertising  tbe  rates  at  whicb  the  steamship 
companies  are  prepared  to  carry  passengers  from  the  various  towns  in  Scotland  to 
the  different  points  in  the  United  States. 

2.  Only  one  case  has  ever  come  under  the  notice  of  the  consulate.  Laborers  are 
certainly  not  engaged  openly  for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  and  I  do  not 
think  covertly  either,  unless  perhaps  to  a  very  small  extent.  The  case  referred 
to  happened  about  two  years  ago  when  four  men  were  engaged  for  "The  Sneed  &, 
Co.,  Iron  Works"  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  through  a  gentleman  who  was  then  employed 
in  the  foundry  of  John  Law  &  Sons,  Glasgow.  The  men  engaged  were  ornamental 
molders  by  trade.  The  United  States  attorney  at  Louisville  is  now  prosecuting 
the  case. 

3.  I  am  not  aware  that  in  this  district  or  in  Scotland  there  is  any  encouragement 
or  aid  furnished  to  the  classes  of  persons  mentioned  in  the  question  to  emigrate  to 
the  United  States  in  violation  of  our  laws.  There  are  many  apparently  undesirable 
emigrants  to  the  United  States  pass  through  this  city,  but  they  are  not  Scotch  nor 
from  Scotland.     They  come  mainly  from  the  continent. 

4.  I  think  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of  exam- 
ination of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  at  a  trifling  cost  to  each  emi- 
grant. 

Mr.  Consul  Brown  has  definite  views  as  to  the  original  certification  to  be  required, 
and  I  have  asked  him  to  communicate  his  views  to  the  commission.  It  would  not, 
I  think,  be  unreasonable  to  require  certificates  from  a  previous  employer  of  the  em- 
igrant, from  the  jiroprietor  of  the  dwelling  house  that  he  occupied,  and  from  the  local 
magistrate  of  his  distri(!t.  The  information  from  these  sources  should  enable,  or  at 
least  very  materially  aid,  consuls  to  pass  upon  the  eligibility  of  the  intending  emi- 
grant. The  system  would  also,  I  think,  help  the  detection  of  contract  laborers  and 
criminals.     There  are  no  laws  in  this  country  governing  military  service. 

5.  Emigration  is  encouraged  to  the  British  colonies,  but  there  are  no  laws  or  reg- 
ulations either  encouraging  or  hindering  emigration  to  foreign  countries. 

6.  Alien  criminals  and  paupers  are  not  so  far  as  I  can  learn  returned  to  the  coun- 
try to  which  they  owe  allegiance.     There  are  no  laws  governing  their  disposal. 

7.  No  laws  regulating  emigration  to  foreign  countries. 

8.  No. 

9.  No. 

(a)  So  far  as  Scotland  is  concerned  such  cooperation  would  not,  I  think,  be  in  the 
interest  of  the  United  States. 

(6)  I  do  not  think  there  are  any  points  on  which  the  interests  of  Scotland  and 
the  United  States  clash  in  the  matter  of  emigration. 


CONSUL  CATLIN,  MUNICH,  BAVARIA. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  op  America, 

Munich,  August  3,  1891. 
Hon.  Jno.  B.  Weber, 

Cliairman  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasury  Department: 
Sir:  To  the  copy  of  printed  questions  sent  to  me  hy  your  commission,  I  send  the 
following  answers: 

1.  I  have  no  knowledge  that  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by  steam- 
ehip  or  other  carrying  companies. 

2.  I  have  no  knowledge  that  any  contract  laborers  are  engaged  here  for  exporta- 
tion to  the  United  States. 

3.  I  do  not  think  that  insane  persons,  idiots,  poor  persons,  or  persons  afflicted  with 
loathsome  or  dangerous  diseases  are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to  the  United 
States  from  here  by  anybody. 

Sick  and  incapable  persons  in  Bavaria  must  be  supported,  according  to  Bavarian 
laws,  by  the  parishes  in  which  they  have  their  home.  Very  likely  some  of  the  par- 
ishes frequently  sliirk  this  duty.  But  while  I  have  heard,  for  instance,  of  their 
furnishing  incapable  persons  with  hand  organs  or  music  boxes  and  sending  them  out 


60     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

to  beg,  I  have  never  heard  of  their  furnishing  them  with  a  sufficient  amount  of  ready] 
money  for  an  American  journey.  According  to  the  hest  information  at  my  commandi 
this  is  never  done. 

The  care  of  criminals  is  not  quite  the  same.  There  is  a  private  society  in  MunichI 
organized  for  the  care  of  discharged  criminhls.  Its  ostensible  object  is  to  give  the 
younger  men  who  have  served  a  term  in  x>rison,  and  whose  good  behavior  is  certi- 
fied to  by  the  prison  authorities,  an  opportunity  for  another  start  in  life.  This  may 
occasionally  involve  sending  them  to  some  foreign  country.  It  very  rarely  happens 
that  they  are  sent  far,  however,  owing  to  lack  of  funds.  At  present,  I  am  told, 
the  funds  of  the  society  are  very  low,  and  little  or  nothing  is  being  done.  More- 
over, the  criminal  class  is  not  large  here. 

The  only  instance  within  my  knowledge  of  an  attempt  by  this  society  to  send 
criminals  to  the  United  States  happened  in  1887.  There  were  four  criminals,  and 
some  one  of  them,  or  a  friend,  gave  the  whole  matter  away  to  the  consul  here.  The 
result  was  that  on  arriving  in  New  York  they  were  stopped  and  sent  back. 

4,  5,  7.  To  answer  these  questions  would  involve  a  statement  and  consideration  of 
the  laws  of  the  German  Empire  on  the  subject.  The  peculiar  laws  of  Bavaria  do  not 
come  into  question.  As  I  understand  it,  these  laws  of  the  empire  are  totally  opposed 
to  emigration  until  after  the  militarj^  age  is  passed. 

Section  140  of  the  Reichs-Straf-Gesetz  forbids  emigration  to  avoid  military  duty 
without  permission  under  a  penalty  of  imprisonment  for  a  period  ranging  between  a 
month  and  a  year.  The  age  for  military  duty  is  from  the  seventeenth  to  the  forty- 
fifth  year.  Anyone  who  aids  and  assists  in  a  like  case  is  lial)le  to  imprisonment  for 
from  three  months  to  three  years.  According  to  my  information  these  laws  amount 
to  a  practical  prohibition  of  emigration  until  after  tlie  forty-fiitli  year  is  passed,  ex-  ^ 
cei)t  in  the  rare  cases  Avhere  permission  is  given.  If  so,  I  should  say  there  would  be 
a  good  many  difficulties  in  the  way  of  maintaining  a  system  of  consular  inspection, 
or  examination.  Such  a  system  would  require,  I  should  say,  the  cooperation  of  Ger- 
man officials.  It  would  be  necessary  to  have  an  original  certificate  of  the  necessary 
facts  from  the  mayor  or  police  authorities  of  the  place  where  the  intended  emigrant 
was  known.  On  this,  and  on  seeing  and  conversing  with  the  person,  the  consul 
would  have  to  act,  perhaps ;  or  in  a  proper  case,  perhaps,  other  official  information 
might  have  to  be  obtained.  All  this  would  necessitate  the  assit^tance  and  coopera- 
tion of  certain  local  officials,  and  how  it  could  be  brought  about,  in  view  of  the  laws  ( 
against  emigration,  I  am  not  well  enough  infornuMl  to  be  able  to  give  any  opinion. 
Even  if  a  system  of  consular  examination  could  be  carried  out,  very  likely  there 
would  be  some  want  of  harmony  in  the  action  of  the  local  officials  and  the  consul, 
owing  to  the  fact  that,  naturally,  the  local  officials  would  be  anxious  to  get  rid  of  the 
bad  and  keep  the  good  at  home,  whereas  the  consul  would  take  the  contrary  view  of 
the  matter.  It  might  result  after  all  in  his  being  obliged  to  trust  more  to  the  evi- 
dence of  his  own  senses  than  anything  else. 

Concerning  immigration,  the  law  of  the  empire  of  June  1,  1870,  in  regard  to  ac- 
quiring citizenship,  governs,  I  believe.     Citizenship  can  be  granted  to  foreigners: 

(a)  If  they  do  not  rest  under  any  legal  disability  according  to  the  laws  of  their 
former  home. 

(6)  If  they  lead  moral  lives,  if  nothing  unfavorable  against  them  is  known. 

(c)  If  they  have  their  own  lodging  or  find  a  situation  or  employment  in  the  place 
where  they  intend  to  settle. 

(d)  If  they  are  able  to  support  themselves  and  their  famdly. 

6.  Bavarian  laws  provide  that  foreigners  can  be  expelled  on  various  grounds. 

(a)  Persons  who  ask  support  from  a  parish. 

(h)  Persons  without  occupation,  if  they  have  no  permanent  home  and  are  without 
means. 

(c)  Persons  who  have  been  condemned  for  the  various  oifenses  named  in  the  law. 

The  minister  of  the  interior  can  also  refuse  to  admit  persons  to  the  kingdom  and 
can  expel  them  therefrom  in  the  interest  of  the  public  welfare. 

In  Munich  itself  the  objectionable  classes  are  very  strictly  dealt  with  by  the 
police  authorities.  There  is  a  general  clearing  out  at  frequent  intervals.  Persons 
belonging  to  other  parishes  in  Bavaria  are  sent  there,  those  belonging  outside  of  Ba- 
varia are  sent  beyond  the  border.  The  result  is  that  objectionable  characters  are 
rarely  seen  here.  I  have  never  seen  an  instance  of  begging  in  the  streets  during  my 
residence  here  of  fourteen  months. 

8, 9.  On  these  points  I  can  not  give  any  information. 
Respectfully, 

F.  W.  Catlin, 
United  States  CotisuI. 


ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS. 

VICE-CONSUL  BRANDTy  MARSEILLES. 

Replies  to  questions  on  the  subject  of  emigration. 


61 


•  United  States  Consulate, 

Marseilles,  August  3, 1S91. 
1     1.  The  following  are  the  official  figures  showing  the  number  of  emigrants  that  left 
Marseilles  for  the  United  States  during  1890: 


Destinations. 


KewTork 

Philadelphia 

Chicago 

Baltimore 

Kew  Orleans 

San  Francisco 

San  Antonio,  Tex. 
Portland 


Total 


Number  of  emigrants. 


French. 


Other  na- 
tionalities. 


22 


4,980 
443 


62 


5,610 


: 


Emigration  is  not  promoted  to  any  great  degree  by  the  steamship  companies  or 
their  agents  at  this  port.  There  are  a  few  '^emigration  agents,"  but  they  can  not 
be  said  to  be  very  active. 

2.  To  my  knowledge  contract  laborers  are  not  engaged  here  at  all,  and  I  have  not 
been  able  to  find  traces  of  any  engagements  of  this  description. 

3.  Insane  persons,  idiots,  and  cripples,  paupers,  and  sick  persons  are  not  encouraged 
or  aided  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States;  on  the  contrary,  I  have  had  direct  proof 
that  such  persons  experience  great  difiiculty  in  obtaining  passage  even  as  ordinary 
passengers.  As  to  criminals,  it  is  difficult  to  give  decided  information,  as  those 
not  unfrequently  misrepresent  themselves.  But,  knowingly,  *e  companies  and 
agents  would  not  take  them. 

4.  In  seaports  it  would  certainly  be  possible  to  apply  a  system  of  examination  of 
intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls,  but  whether  this  system  would  prove 
efficacious  is  difficult  to  say.  It  would  probably  clash  with  the  military  laws  of  the 
country  if  done  conscientiously  and  in  harmony  with  the  authorities  (of  the  coun- 
try), but  only  in  cases  of  persons  within  the  military  age.  It  would  be  necessary 
for  consuls  to  insist  upon  intending  emigrants  producing  their  ^'extrait  civil, '^  in 
order  to  satisfy  themselves  as  to  whether  applicants  were  not  criminals  or  other  un- 
desirable characters.  The  system  would  prove  as  a  check  upon  emigration  of  bad 
characters,  but  it  could  not  possibly  be  absolutely  preventive.  It  could  be  made 
necessary,  too,  for  all  intending  emigrants  to  produce  a  medical  certificate  as  well 
as  their  "  extrait  civil,"  and  for  the  whole  to  be  certified  to  by  the  consul,  after  due 
examination,  charging  them  a  small  fee.     Thus  the  system  would  be  self-supporting. 

5.  Emigration  of  persons  sound  in  body  and  mind  can  hardly  be  said  either  to  be 
hindered  or  encouraged  here,  but  public  opinion  does  not  favor  emigration  of  any 
kind.  Emigration  is  certainly  not  encouraged  in  anyway  by  law  or  regulation;  on 
the  contrary,  it  seems  to  me  that  the  laws  are  decidedly  intended  to  hinder  emigra- 
tion as  much  as  possible.  In  practice  this  chiefly  affects  French  subjects;  but  upon 
referring  to  table  of  emigrants,  in  answer  No.  1,  it  will  be  seen  that  out  of  a  total  of 
5,672  only  62  were  French,  the  rest  being  chiefly  Italians  and  Armenians. 

6.  Alien  criminals  or  paupers,  after  being  punished  for  any  act  against  the  laws, 
are  frequently  sent  across  the  border,  and  for  this  purpose  provided  with  a  card, 
with  the  route  indicated  for  them  to  take. 

7-8.  Emigration  from  France  is  not  encouraged  by  the  French  authorities,  and  I 
know  of  no  systematic  movement  to  divert  emigration  from  France  to  America.  A 
Frenchman,  according  to  French  law,  can  not  acquire  naturalization,  as  recognized 
officially  by  France,  in  America  without  permission  from  the  French  Government,  if 
he  wishes  to  act  in  accordance  with  same. 

Article  17  of  the  French  code  civil,  modified  by  the  law  of  June  26,  1889,  contains 
the  following  paragraph : 

"Perdent  la  quality  de  Frangais:  Le  Fran?ais  naturalist  a  I'^tranger  ou  celui  qui 
acquiert  sur  sa  demande  la  nationalite  6trangere  par  Feffet  de  la  loi.  S^il  est  encoi-e 
Boumis  aux  obligations  du  service  militaire  jpour  Varm4e  active,  la  naturalisation  a  Vetranger 


62     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

neferaperdrc  la  qualitcde  Frangais  que  si  elk  a  eU autorisee par  le  Gouvernement  Frangais.*' 
I  have  further  been  informed  that  if  a  Frenchman  emigrates  from  France  without 
the  authority  of  his  Government,  and  is  not  naturalized  by  the  age  of  21,  he  is  con- 
sidered a  deserter,  and  is  liable  to  imprisonment  upon  returning  to  France.  This 
has  already  been  put  into  eifect.  Consequently,  in  order  to  be  on  the  right  side,  a 
Frenchman  must  either  emigrate  at  the  age  of  16,  in  order  to  be  able  to  be  natnral- 
ized  by  the  age  of  21,  or  else  obtain  permission  from  his  Government,  which  is  not 
an  easy  matter. 

9.  This  question  is  practically  answered  by  the  preceding  paragraph;  in  other 
words,  the  French  Government  does  not  favor  emigration,  particularly  not  of  sound 
persons,  and  therefore  coiiperation  between  the  two  Governments  ought  not  to  be  a 
difficult  matter  if  once  the  severe  question  of  military  service  be  overcome. 

Alex.  Brai^dt, 
United  States  Vice  and  Bejauty  Consul, 


CONSUL  KELLOGG,  STETTIN, 

Consulate  of  the  United  States, 

Stettin,  August,  1891, 
Sir:  In  reply  to  the  circular  of  July  21,  permit  me  to  offer  for  your  honorable 
consideration  the  following  information,  which  has  been  gathered  from  as  reliable 
sources  as  possible,  viz: 

1.  In  1890  2,500  emigrants  were  transported  by  the  Hamburg-American  Steamship 
Line,  the  only  passenger  line  between  this  port  and  the  United  States.  As  far  as 
can  be  ascertained,  no  agents  are  employed  by  this  line  to  drum  up  their  passenger 
business. 

2.  No  contract  laborers  are  engaged  here  for  exportation  to  the  United  States. 
Some  years  ago  a  gang  of  laborers  were  exported  to  the  Argentine  Republic. 

3.  Those  individuals  referred  to  in  question  No.  3  are  not  encouraged  to  emigrate. 
They  are  put  into  institutions  provided  for  them  by  the  local  governments. 

4.  The  examination  of  emigrants  leaving  this  port  for  the  United  States  is  not 
only  practicable,  but  in  view  of  the  large  number  of  Russian  Jews  now  emigrating 
via  Stettin  to  the  United  States  is  highly  desirable.  The  cost  of  the  same  could 
easily  be  paid  out  of  the  fees  payable  by  those  examined.  Two  certificates,  coun- 
tersigned by  the  United  States  consul,  would  cover  all  points,  such  as  physical, 
mental,  and  pecuniary  conditions :  1.  Certificate  stating  that  the  emigrant  is  pos- 
sessed of  means.  This  document  can  in  Germany  be  obtained  from  the  district 
chairman,  gratis.  2.  Certificate  from  a  reliable  physician  at  Stettin,  and  under  the 
supervision  of  the  United  States  consul,  showiiig  that  the  person  in  question  is  of 
sound  mind  and  body  and  free  from  contagious  diseases  of  every  kind.  This  certifi- 
cate would  cost  the  emigrant  about  live  marks.  An  official  fee  of  $2.50  per  capita 
would  cover  all  expenses  excepting  office  rent  at  those  consulates,  such  as  at  Stettin, 
etc.,  where  no  office  rent  is  allowed  by  the  Dejjartment  of  State.  It  would  be  abso- 
lutely necessary  to  have  one  or  two  rooms  for  the  reception  of  this  class  of  people. 
This  room  rent  would  cost  about  $50  per  annum,  depending  of  course  upon  the  loca- 
tion. 

Last  week  the  steamer  Italia,  of  this  port,  belonging  to  the  Hamburg-American 
Line,  took  on  board  1,066  Russian  .Jews,  all  bound  for  the  United  States.  Since  the 
Russian  expulsatory  edict  this  line  has  transported  6,000  beings  of  this  deplorable 
class  of  emigrants.  From  reliable  sources  I  learn  that  all  who  leave  via  Stettin  in- 
tend remaining  in  the  United  States ;  many  not  only  had  their  tickets  for  New  York 
City,  but  also  railroad  tickets  to  different  points  in  the  West.  These  tickets  are 
mostly  provided  by  a  Jew  committee  here,  who  receive  financial  aid  from  the  larger 
committees  in  London,  Vienna,  Paris,  and  Berlin.  These  Russian  Jews  are  chiefly 
small  trades  people,  possessed  of  little  means,  are  much  below  the  average  in  physi- 
cal development,  and  perfectly  indifferent  to  personal  cleanliness.  Qne  could  not 
help  from  shuddering  at  the  thought  that  the  United  States  would  soon  have  to 
suckle  such  children.  The  authorities  here  have  allowed  very  few  of  this  class 
of  people  to  remain,  fearing  that  they  would  become  public  charges.  The  military 
law  governing  military  service  are,  indeed,  rigid,  but  still  it  would  not  inter- 
fere with  consular  inspection  if  properly  carried  out.  As  regards  the  certificate  from 
the  Amtsvorsteher,  it  would  eventually  be  issued  by  the  consul. 

6.  Emigration  is  not  encouraged.  Those  persons'  who  have  not  served  their  time 
m  the  army  are  kept  under  surveillance,  and  as  far  as  possible  are  kept  at  home. 
The  military  age  is  from  seventeen  to  thirty-five  years,  and  is  graded  into  regular 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     63 

gervice:  three  years  for  those  who  have  not  passed  what  is  called  the  ^^secundarex- 
aminatiou."  Those  who  have  passed  this  examination  serve  one  year.  Next  comes 
the  ''reserve  force,"  ''Landwehr,"  and  lastly  the  ''Landstnrm.'"  The  essential 
feature  as  regards  the  law  governing  emigration  is  found  in  a  condensed  form  in 
the  within  inclosure.* 

6.  Alien  criminals  and  paupers  are  allowed  to  remain  here  until  they  receive  noti- 
fication from  the  police  to  leave  the  country.  These  notifications  simply  state  that 
the  persons  therein  named  are  no  longer  welcome,  or,  as  the  German  exj)ression  puts 
it,  they  have  made  themselves  ^'  unlieb."  No  one  but  the  miuisterium  knows  the 
literal  meaning  of  the  word  ''  unlieb."  In  case  the  parties  have  no  funds  with  which 
to  leave  on,  the  jiolice  authorities  furnish  them  with  the  necessary  means,  and  are 
content  with  sending  them  across  the  border.  Street  begging  is  prohibited,  and  all 
law  breakers  are  unwelcome  guests. 

7.  There  are  no  special  laws  regulating  emigration.  The  emigration  laws  are 
under  military  control. 

8.  No. 

9.  In  my  opinion  the  German  Government  would  perhaps  be  willing  to  cooperate 
with  our  Government  as  regards  those  emigrants  who  have  not  served  in  the  Ger- 
man army;  the  result  of  such  a  cooperation  would  only  be  detrimental  to  the  United 
States. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  you  will  favor  this  consulate  with  a  visit,  as  I  would  be 
glad  to  talk  over  this  very  important  question  of  emigration  to  the  United  States. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

James  Kellogg, 
United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  PUGff,  PALERMO. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States, 

Palermo,  liahj,  Odobcr  IS,  1891. 
To  the  honorable  Chairman  and  Members  of  the  Special  Emigration  Commission,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C: 
Gentlemen  :  Having  only  within  the  last  few  days  returned  from  a  two  months' 
leave  of  absence,  during  which  time  your  communication  of  July  21  has  lain  upon 
my  table,  I  now  hasten  to  give  you  such  information  as  I  have  been  able  to  acquire. 
It  may  be  stated,  however,  that  prior  to  the  notice  of  the  appointment  of  your  com- 
iiiisshm  I  had  endeavored  to  learn  all  the  circumstances  of  emigration  and  emigrants 
from  this  place,  and  to  that  end  had  addressed  certain  inquiries  to  the  prefect  of 
Palermo,  the  qucstore  (chief  of  police),  and  the  agents  of  various  steamship  com- 
panies, but  have  been  unable  to  learn  anything  in  connection  therewith;  audit  may 
l)f  further  stated  that  all  emigrants  from  Sicily  go  to  Naples  by  local  steamers  and 
there  embark  for  their  destinations,  and  the  steamship  agents  have  shielded  them- 
selves  behind  this  fact. 

riie  following  is  submitted  as  the  best  information  obtainable  from  all  sources: 
1.  No  inducements  are  known  to  be  extended  by  agents  of  steamship  companies 

*  Rides  concerning  legitimation  papers /or  tlie  German  emigrant  to  follow. 

rassports  or  emigration  docnmentfl  are  not  absolutely  required.  Papers  serving  to  identify  are  suf- 
fi(  idit,  as  baptismal  and  marriage  certificates,  military  papers,  etc.,  but  under  all  circumstances  a 
]).i.-.,sport  is  j)relorred. 

Minors,  iiiiiles  as  well  as  females,  under  21  years  of  age,  who  are  not  accompanied  bv  their  parents 
01  LMianlians,  must  briui:  a  written  permission  of  the  latter  to  emigrate.  Tbc  siguatiire  of  father  or 
pnnidian.s  shall  be  cerlilied  by  local  authorities. 

,\I  ale  iMM-sons  from  17  years'  and  over  must  have  a  passport  to  go  abroad  in  case  they  are  not  provided 
■R  itli  a  certificate  of  rejection  or  reserve  of  the  second  class. 

Military  men  on  leave  of  absence,  also  such  as  belong  to  the  reserve,  the  marine  reserve,  or  to  the 
1^111(1  (ll■fens(^  of  the  first  call,  must  show  cither  a  written  jiermission  of  the  Landwehr  district  com- 
iiKiiul,  a  foreign  i>as3i)ort,  or  an  emigration  document. 

riiose  belongiiig  to  the  land  defense  of  the  second  call  (also  all  discharged  after  completion  of  mili- 
laiy  service  in  tlie  army  and  land  defense  or  practiced  reservists  after  the  exi»iration  of  their  reserve 
lerm  of  8ervi(  e)  do  not  need  any  special  ])ermit  to  emigrate  except  in  case  of  war  or  imminent  danger 
ot  war,  but  are  obliged  previous  to  their  leaving  for  America  to  notify  to  that  effect  the  respectTvo 
military  autliorities,  and  have  to  shoAv  that  .such  a  notice  was  properly  given  to  him. 

riie  persons  formerly  belonging  to  the  reserve  of  the  seccmd  class  lieVetofore  arc  assigned  to  Land- 
pturni  of  the  first  call,  and  as  such  they  do  not  require  a  ])ermit  to  emigrate  Just  as  the  Landsturm  of 
tiie  second  call,  or  person  with  rejection  documents,  but  they  must  show  their  military  :j)apers. 

JOHANNSEN   &.  MtJGGE, 

Repreicntatives  of  Hamburg  American  racket  Stock  Company. 


64      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

except  tbo  aronmcnts  indulged  in  by  every  agent,  of  higlier  wages,  more  employ- 
ment, bettor  living,  etc.,  in  tbe  United  States. 

2.  Contract  labor  is  not  engaged  openly ;  and  if  covertly,  in  such  manner  as  has  not 
been  detected. 

3.  The  class  of  persons  mentioned  in  this  interrogatory  are  never  aided  financially 
by  the  Government,  nor  are  they  encouraged  to  emigrate  excei^tas  they  may  be  facil- 
itated in  ol)taining  passports  by  the  authorities. 

4.  Unquestionably  it  would  be  practicable  and  a  most  wholesome  regulation,  in  my 
opinion,  to  apply  a"  system  of  compulsory  examinations  of  intending  emigrants  by 
American  consuls,  and  that  no  emigrant  should  be  permitted  to  land  in  the  United 
States  in  the  absence  of  a  consular  certificate  as  to  such  examination,  with  approval 
thereof.  The  cost  of  such  .system  would  necessarily  vary  according  to  the  circum- 
stances of  each  consular  district.  At  this  place,  where  the  province  is  large  and  the 
people  capable  of  more  deception  than  any  other  place  on  earth,  it  could  not  be 
properly  done  at  a  less  expense  than  $2,000  per  annum.  An  examination  at  the  con- 
sulate, except  as  to  age,  etc.,  would  rarely  be  of  practical  benefits,  but  should  be 
made  by  a  person  employed  for  the  i»urpose,  at  the  homes  of  intending  emigrants, 
which  in  this  district  are  largely  in  the  interior.  In  reality  the  majority  of  emigrants 
from  this  district  are  from  the  rural  districts,  but  they  live  almost  wholly  in  small 
towns  and  hamlets;  and  from  these  small  towns  in  the  interior  emanates  a  large 
majority  of  Sicilian  crimes  and  criminals. 

Each  nitending  emigrant  must  obtain  from  the  iriluitale  pcnale  (criminal  court) 
of  the  province  in  which  he  lives  a  certificate  that  there  is  no  criminal  charge 
against  him,  which  must  be  presented  to  the  questore  (chief  of  police),  who  issues  to 
him  a  passport,  and  no  one  is  permitted  to  embark  on  board  ship  for  emigration  in 
the  absence  of  this  passport. 

The  effects  of  the  local  requirement  as  to  passports  are  destroyed  by  persons  pre- 
senting themselves  for  certificates  under  assumed  names;  the  records  examined  for 
that  name,  Jio  charge  of  course  found,  and  the  certificate  granted,  and  by  this  means 
criminals  of  the  deepest  dye  obtain  certificates  as  well  as  those  persons  whose  char- 
acters are  really  good.  It  is  also  believed  that,  in  order  to  free  the  community  of 
notoriously  bad  characters,  the  authorities  issue  such  certificates  under  the  assumed 
name,  even  thougli  the  person  ajiplying  is  well  known. 

In  this  the  consular  examination  is  most  essential,  for  the  reason  that  existing  lo- 
cal requirements  do  not  prevent  the  emigration  of  criminals,  as  is  unfortunately  too 
well  known,  and  has  no  effect  whatever  on  the  old  and  decrepit  class  nor  those  af- 
flicted with  contagious  or  loathsome  diseases,  the  latter  of  which  prevails  to  an 
alarming  extent. 

The  province  of  Palermo  is  by  far  the  largest  in  Sicily,  embracing  a  poi)ulation  at 
the  last  census  of  699,151,  all  of  whom  nmst  ol)tain  certificates  at  the  tribunale  in  this 
city,  but  as  the  birth  of  each  person  is  recorded,  and  if  married  that  certificate  is 
also  recorded,  each  intending  emigrant  should  be  required  to  present  his  certificate 
of  birth  and  marriage  to  the  consul,  under  such  regulations  as  he  may  prescribe,  for 
the  purposes  of  identification  and  locating  his  residence;  then  the  consular  employ6 
could  at  (mce  go  to  his  place  of  residence,  makinghis  investigation  there,  thus  learn- 
ing the  real  person  and  actual  character. 

Then,  again,  this  Avould  bring  all  intending  emigrants  before  the  consul,  which 
would  disclose  all  instances  of  old  age,  decrepitude,  and  many  of  disease  which  go 
to  make  up  the  ''undesirables."  Such  examinations  throughout  the  district  would 
be  the  cause  of  the  expense;  but  while  the  Treasury  fees  collected  at  this  consulate 
are  far  in  excess  of  that  amount,  the  question  of  expense  should  not  be  considered 
for  a  moment  if  the  desired  effects  could  be  realized. 

5.  Emigration  or  immigration  is  only  intended  to  be  hindered  by  the  regulations 
established  Avitliin  the  military  age,  viz,  between  the  ages  of  21  and  39  years. 

6.  Alien  criminals  are  treated  in  all  respects  as  resident  criminals,  while  alien 
l)aupers  are  unknown  ;  those  who  are  likely  to  become  paupers  never  come  to  this 
country — the  home  of  pauperism. 

7.  The  i^assport  requirement  above  mentioned  is  intended  to  prevent  those  from 
emigrating  between  the  ages  of  21  and  39  years,  but.  in  anticipation  of  military 
service,  the  passport  is  never  granted  to  able'-bodied  young  men  between  the  ages  of 
15  and  21  years,  in  order  tliat  no  young  man  may  escape  military  service. 

8.  Nothing  of  the  nature  of  inquiry  No.  8  obta'^ins  here. 

9.  The  Italian  Government  would  not  cooperate  with  that  of  the  United  States  in 
the  restriction  or  regulation  of  emigration,  except  in  so  far  as  it  concerned  her  able-/ 
bodied  men  between  the  ages  of  15  and  39  years,  and,  as  Italy  would  be  unwilling  to 
part  with  her  subjects  during  the  age  of  man's  greatest  usefulness  as  workmen,  no 
reason  is  known  why  a  cooperative  system  could  be  of  interest  to  our  Government, 
and  it  therefore  follows  tfrat  the  interests  of  the  two  governments  avouM  clash  for 
the  two  essential  reasons  that  Italy  would  not  willingly  lose  those  of  her  people 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     65 

who  would  make  useful  citizens  iu  the  United  States;  aud  that  she  would  onl;v  con- 
sent to  give  up  to  us  such  of  her  subjects  as  in  no  event  should  be  permitted  to  put 
foot  on  American  soil. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  yours,  very  truly, 

Horace  C.  Pugh, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  SHEPABD,  GOTHENBURG. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Gothenburg,  Sweden,  August  11, 1801. 

Hon.  Commissioners: 

I  hand  you  herewith  such  information  and  thoughts  as  I  have  on  the  subject  of 
your  inquiry  in  relation  to  emigration  to  America,  and  which  I  hope  may  not  be 
found  wholly  devoid  of  pertinency  and  interest. 

I  have  purposely  avoided  mention  of  Sweden  and  Gothenburg,  and  I  mean  onhj 
Sweden  by  "this  Kingdom,"  and  "this  country,"  not  including  Norway,  which 
might  perhaps  be  embraced  in  the  former  term. 

It  will  be  your  loss  if  you  do  not  have  an  opportunity  to  see  this  very  beautiful 
land  at  tliis  time  of  year.  But  you  undoubtedly  uu<lerstand  that  we  have  less  to  fear 
of  bad  emigrants  from  Sweden  and  Norway  than  any  other  places. 

Were  this  my  country  it  would  be  a  sorrowful  picture  tliat  is  seen  at  the  wharves 
hero  every  Tuesday  and  Friday,  when  fiom  300  to  1,000  of  the  most  healthy,  hardy, 
temperate,  and  industrious  of  tlie  Kingdom's  young  men  and  women  leave  home  and 
native  land  for  a  country  they  have  learned  V)  regard  as  fairer  and  better  than  this. 

I  will  thank  you  now  for  a  copy  of  your  report  when  it  is  issued.     Wishing  you 
complete  success  iu  discovering  a  preventive  of  our  national  poisoning,  I  am, 
Yours,  very  truly, 

Charles  H.  Shepard, 

United  States  Consul. 


Our  immigration  prohlem. — Rephj  to  inquiries  of  Commissioners^  circular  from  London. 

Answer  to  first  question.  I  am  assured  that  only  the  sending  out  of  circulars  or 
small  pamphlets  stating  the  alh^ged  superiority  of  the  different  steamship  lines  is 
now  practiced. 

Answer  to  second  question.  Nearly  one-half  of  the  30,000  emigrants  to  America 
from  this  port  annually  go  on  tickets  purchased  in  and  sent  here  from  the  United 
States  by  persons  who  are  supposed  to  be  their  relaticms  and  friends  already  there. 
The  average  age  of  emigrants  from  here  is  about  25  years,  and  there  are  twice  as 
many  women  as  men.  It  is  x)robal)le  that  employment  has  been  secured  for  some  of 
them,  but  liardly  in  the  form  of  contract. 

Answer  to  third  question.  There  is  no  doubt  that  many  criminals  and  paupers 
have  in  years  past  been  assisted  to  emigrate,  sonu^times  by  their  friends,  sometimes 
by  committees  of  citizens,  and  often  by  Government  authorities.  They  claim  that  it 
is  d(me  very  little  now. 

Answer  to  fifth  question.  Males  between  20  and  40  years,  and  who  have  not  per- 
formed their  military  service,  are  required  to  get  permission  from  the  Crown  to  em- 
igrate in  addition  to  the  pastor's  certificate,  which  must  be  had  by  all  persons  who 
go  as  emigrants  by  lines  of  transportation  which  have  here  licensed  agents.  A  pas- 
tor's certiHcate  is  obtained  by  the  intending  omisrant  from  the  church  where  he  was 
born  and  "written,"  or  the  church  where  he  is  at  the  time  written — and  every  native 
has  to  bo  written,  with  his  wliole  history,  in  the  church  where  he  resides — stating  the 
place  and  date  of  his  birth,  etc.,  and  such  certificate  must  be  sent  to  the  ticket  agent, 
who  thereupon  issues  a  contract  for  the  passage,  which  being  indorsed  by  a  police 
magistrate  the  emigrant  may  emigrate.  All  this  is  required  chiefly  that  the  Gov- 
ernment may  know  where  its  people  have  gone,  that  it  may  not  afterward  be  hunt- 
ing for  them  for  service  or  for  taxes.  All  these  preliminaries  will  have  cost  the  per- 
son owing  military  service  about  $5.  This  seems  like  guarding  their  escape  pretty 
carefully;  nevertheless,   any  person  can  go  on  board  a  steamer  or  train  and  pay  a 

H.  Ex.  37 61 


66  ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

passenger  fare  to  the  nearest  foreign  port;  at  a  cost  of  two  or  three  dollars,  and  there 
get  an  emigrant  passage. 

Answer  to  sixth  question.  They  are  sent  to  the  countries  to  which  thev  helong. 

Answer  to  seventh  question.  Emigration  laws  of  this  country  are  mainly  what  I 
have  stated  under  question  5,  and  such  as  guard  the  emigrant  in  his  contract  with 
the  transportation  companies. 

Answer  to  eighth  question.  No,  presuming \this  relates  to  Russian  Jews. 

Answer  to  ninth  question.  The  people  of  this  country  who  intend  to  remain  here 
and  who  are  supposed  to  represent  the  feelings  of  those  in  authority  would  he  very- 
glad  if  all  emigration  could  he  stopped.     But  they  don't  know  how  to  accomplish  it. 

On  (a)  and  (b)  of  this  question  you  will  undouhtedly  get  from  our  most  well-in- 
formed minister  to  this  country  all  that  can  possibly  he  learned. 

Answer  to  fourth  question.  Early  in  the  year,  when  it  seemed  prohable  that  con- 
sular certification  would  he  a  provision  of  the  present  law,  I  gave  the  matter  some 
serious  thought  and  was  glad  it  was  not  put  in  the  act.  I  thought  it  would  be  any- 
thing but  agreeable  business  for  consuls  to  manage,  and  that  if  they  did  their  duty 
it  might  become  very  unpleasant.  I  knew,  of  course,  that  all  our  consuls  were 
brave  men,  and  would  willingly  assume  and  heroically  discharge  any  responsibility 
lawfully  put  upon  them,  but  I  feared  many  of  them  might  feel  extremely  uncomfort- 
able at  times,  knowing  that  they  stood  directly  in  the  way  of  scores  of  convicts  and 
outlaws  trying  to  reach  the  American  '^asylum  of  the  oppressed.''  I  felt,  too,  that 
the  best  people  ''would  be  likely  to  sympathize  with  the  criminals  in  such  cases  and 
might  call  on  the  consuls  in  great  numbers  to  beg  that  the  unfortunates  might  be 
given  another  chance  in  a  new,  wild  country,  away  from  their  old  associates  and 
bad  records,  just,  for  instance,  as  eminent  men  and  women  in  Massachusetts  and 
other  American  States  will  often  petition  for  the  pardon  of  the  most  beastly  mur- 
derers. And  I  didn't  feel  sure  that  consuls  might  not  sometimes  be  tempted  by 
bribes,  as  well  as  bullied  by  threats,  to  fail  to  see  a  thing  or  two.  And  I  was  some- 
what apprehensive  that,  if  there  were  a  consular  fee  attached,  possibly  one  out  of 
twelve  might  try  to  ''feather  his  nest,"  considering  the  very  small  salaries  our  Gov- 
ernment pays  its  consular  servants.  But  as  I  have  studied  the  nuitter  in  the  longer 
days  and  greater  light,  and  got  better  acquainted  with  the  people,^The  country,  and 
its  laws,  I  have  come  to  think  that  my  gloomy  views  of  the  subject  last  February 
may  have  been  largely  delusive  fancies.  I  see,  too,  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  a 
satisfactory  execution  of  the  present  law,  and  the  amount  of  sentiment  and  criticism 
for  party  purposes  that  can  be  worked  up  at  home  when  a  pauper  or  a  criminal  is 
turned  back  from  our  shores  and  has  had  a  chance  to  tell  a  pitiful  story,  to  be  exag- 
gerated and  magnified  by  willing  space  writers  on  pathetic  lines. 

If  no  emigrant  to  America  could  leave  a  foreign  port  by  any  responsible  convey- 
ance, nor  be  permitted  to  laud  there  without  a  consular  certificate  based  upon  suf- . 
ficient  proof  that  he  was  acceptable  to  our  laws,  then  it  would  seem  that  the  diffi- 
culties of  the  situation  had  been  met  and  largely  mastered.  The  intending  emigrant 
would  then  have  to  demonstrate  here,  at  his  liome,  where  it  could  V)e  done  if  any- 
where, his  fitness  for  reception  there.  And  if  he  could  not  go,  he  could  not  arrive, 
nor  be  sent  back.  There  would  be  no  hardship  to  the  applicant,  and  if  he  were 
"blackballed"  for  cause  he  would  be  likely  to  keep  quiet  about  it  and  keep  on  with 
his  usual  business,  in  prison  or  poorhouse. 

In  this  kingdom  I  think  a  system  of  consular  certification  would  be  practicable 
and  could  be  made  efficient.  The  original  certification,  on  which  consuls  would 
largely  depend,  would  come  from  pastors  of  the  churches  where  ai)plicants  were 
born  or  might  be  living,  and  where  all  natives  must  be  recorded,  with  all  their  bad 
deeds  and  circumstances.  These  pastors  are  appointed  by  the  Crown  and  are  offi- 
cers of  the  State  as  well  as  of  the  church,  and  their  certificates  are  received  in  the 
courts  of  all  countries.  It  would  be  practicable  to  require  the  intending  emigrnnt 
to  produce  such  certificates  covering  his  whole  life.  The  consular  certificate  should 
embrace  all  the  essential  facts  of  the  pastor's  certificate,  a  physical  descripti(m  of 
the  applicant,  and  his  signed  and  sworn  statement  on  any  other  points  raised  by  our 
laws.  Everything  prior  to  the  delivery  of  the  certificate  to  the  emigrant  in  person 
might  be  done  by  correspondence,  and  the  application  and  pastor's  certificate  should 
remain  in  the  consulate  one  mouth,  and  longer  if  necessary  to  investigate  any  sus- 
picions, before  the  applicant  should  be  informed  by  mail  that  a  consular  certificate 
was  granted,  subject  to  approval  of  the  person  when  he  applied  to  sign  and  re- 
ceive it. 

As  all  this  would  be  done  by  mail,  until  the  delivery  of  certificate  to  the  emigrant 
when  ready  to  leave  the  country,  one  consulate  would  be  as  convenient  as  another 
for  him  to  write  to,  and  the  work  of  investigation  and  certification  might  thus  be 
confined  to  few  consulates,  and  those  on  lines  of  travel  from  the  several  countries. 

Probably  99  of  every  100  emigrants  to  the  United  States  from  this  country  go  from  ' 
this  port,  and  there  would,  therefore,  be  no  need  of  providing  for  consular  certifica- 
tion at  more  tliau  this  consulate.     The  number  of  emigrants  from  here  in  recent 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     67 

years  has  averaged  about  30,000,  the  larger  uiimber  going  in  warm  season,  but  some- 
what in  all  the  year.  To  conduct  such  a  system  here  would,  I  think,  require  an 
American  vice-consul,  who  should  receive  a  salary  of  $2,000;  a  deputy  consul,  under 
the  vice-consul,  who  should  be  a  native  and  understand  also  the  English  language, 
and  he  could  be  hired  for  $1,000  a  year;  then  there  should  be  as  many  clerks  as 
needed  who  speak  both  languages,  at  perhaps  $500  a  year  each.  If  a  doctor  were 
needed  he  would  cost  another  $1,000.  And  rent  and  printing  and  postage  and 
other  contingencies  might  require  another  $1,000.  If  there  were  four  clerks,  this 
would  be  an  expense  of  $7,000.  And  I  should  hoj)c  the  consul  might  have  more  than 
$1,500.  Call  the  total  expense  $8,000.  To  provide  for  this  there  should  be  a  Treasury 
fee  of  $1  for  each  certificate.  I  think  duplicates  of  all  certificates  issued  should  be 
kept  in  consulates,  and  a  summary  of  the  same — numbers,  names  of  persons,  etc. — 
be  forwarded  each  day  to  the  emigration  officer  at  the  ports  where  the  emigrants 
would  arrive.  And  especially  would  I  suggest  and  urge  that  such  consular  certi- 
ficates for  emigration  should  be  on  strong  paper  and  folded  in  case  or  covers  so  as 
to  be  easily  preserved,  and  that  they  should  be  required  to  be  produced  to  the  courts 
with  applications  for  naturalization.  They  would  be  worth  vastly  more  than  they 
could  cost  if  given  without  fee,  for  preventing  naturalization  before  the  completion 
of  a  legal  residence  in  our  country. 

I  am  aware  that  this  has  become  a  long  paper,  but  is  an  important  subject,  and 
if  I  have  been  able  to  thow  one  ray  of  light  on  it  I  shall  consider  myself  well  paid 
for  all  trouble. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Chakles  Shepard, 
United  Slates  Consul. 


I 


CONSUL  FOX,  FALMOUTH. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Falmouth,  August  1,  1891. 
John  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman  Special  Commission  Immigration 
{Care  of  United  States  Consul,  Bremen): 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the  21st 
ultimo,  and  beg  herewith  to  append  my  replies  to  the  questions  asked.     I  would  say 
that  my  answers  apply  only  to  my  own  districts  and  convey  the  best  information  I 
can  glean. 

1.  No  steamship  or  other  carrying  companies  promote  emigration  from  this  neigh- 
borhood except  by  the  ordinary  posters  and  pamj^hlets  sent  to  their  local  agents. 

2.  I  am  not  aware  of  any  contract  laborers  being  engaged  openly  or  covertly  for 
exportation  to  the  T'nited  States. 

.3.  No  such  enconrageinont  or  assistance  are  given.  The  people  who  emigrate  from 
Cornwall  to  the  United  States  are  the  cream  of  the  i)opulation,  being  active  and  en- 
ergetic men  for  the  most  part. 

4.  No  examination  of  intending  emigrants  would  be  practicable  or  advisable  in 
Cornwall.  No  steamers  sail  from  Cornwall  to  the  United  States.  Most  of  the  emi- 
grants from  this  country  go  to  Liverpool  to  embark. 

5.  Emigration  is  neither  hindered  nor  encouraged  by  local  law  or  regulation. 

6.  Aliens  and  criminals  are  punished  in  the  county  at  the  cost  of  the  local  rate- 
payers. 

7.  The  laws  affecting  emigration  are  the  same  for  the  entire  United  Kingdom. 

8.  No. 

9.  No. 

I  remain,  sir,  very  respectfully  yours, 

Howard  Fox, 

Consul. 


CONSUL  METCALF,  NEWCASTLE  UPON  TYNE. 

United  States  Consulate, 
Newcastle  upon  Tyne,  July  31,  1891. 
.Tno.  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasury  JDepartment. 
Dear  Sir:  I   have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  circular  of  2l8t  in- 
stant, relating  to  the  subject  of  immigration  to  the  United  States. 


68      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

In  reply  I  beg  to  say  that  few  emigrants  go  from  this  district  to  the  United  States; 
therefore  any  data  relating  to  the  subject  of  emigration  are  quite  unimportant  and 
limited.  However,  I  inclose  brief  replies  to  your  questions  so  far  as  practicable  at 
this  writing. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Horace  W.  Metcalf, 
V  United  States  Consul. 


1 


Emigration  to  the  United  States, 

Answer  No.  1.  No  inducements  held  out  or  assistance  received. 

Answer  No.  2.  No  contracts  made  here.  Agents  for  steamship  companies  are  in- 
strncted  by  their  principals  not  to  make  contracts  and  there  are  e^o  agencies  for  that 
purpose. 

Answer  No.  3.  No  encouragement  given  to  such  classes ;  no  aid  rendered;  on  the 
contrary,  they  are  warned  not  to  go. 

Answer  No.  4.  It  would  appear  impracticable  to  adopt  a  system  of  consular  exami- 
nation of  intending  emigrants  in  this  district,  as  those  booked  here  by  agents  of 
steamship  lines  embark  at  Liverpool,  Glasgow,  etc.  The  ports  of  embarkation 
would  seem  to  be  more  practicable  places  for  consular  examination  if  the  system  is 
adopted. 

Aiiswer  No.  5.  It  is  entirely  a  matter  of  free  will  with  persons  to  go  or  stay ;  no 
hindrance  or  encouragement  by  law  or  regulation. 

Answer  No.  6.  Alien  criminals  and  paupers  stand  on  the  same  footing  as  natives; 
they  are  not  returned  to  their  own  country. 

Answer  No.  7.  Agents  sign  a  contract  with  the  passenger  in  accordance  with  the 
provisions  of  the  passenger  act,  the  substantial  features  of  which  relate  to  food 
supply,  space,  and  privileges. 

Answer  No.  8.  No. 

Answer  No.  9.  No. 


CONSUL  FAIRFIELD,  LYONS. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Lyons,  France,  August  13,  1891. 

Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  etc.: 
Sir:  In  response  to  your  confidential  circular  upon  the  subject  of  emigration,  I 
beg  leave  to  reply  to  the  questions,  submitted  in  their  order,  as  follows : 

1.  So  far  as  I  know,  all  parties  going  to  the  United  States  from  Lyons  and  vicinity 
use  the  Compagnie  Gdnerale  Transatlantique,  via  Havre.  This  company  has  a  pas- 
senger and  freight  agent  at  Lyons ;  but  I  haA^e  never  heard,  and  have  no  reason  to 
believe,  or  even  suspect,  that  this  agent  encourages  emigration  to  the  United  States. 
Judging  from  the  whole  number  of  reported  emigrants  from  France  to  the  United 
States,  I  judge  that  probably  not  much  more  than  200  annually  emigrate  from  this 
consular  "district  to  our  country.  In  nearly  all  cases  of  which  I  have  personal  knowl- 
edge the  emigrants  have  gone  as  second-cabin  passengers,  with  the  intention  either 
of  establishing  a  particular  business  or  of  joining  relatives  already  in  America. 
That  the  company  to  which  I  have  referred  are  not  pushing  emigration  to  any 
country  is  evinced"  by  a  fact  which  I  have  on  good  authority,  that  they  sometimes 
have  demanded  indemnity  against  loss  in  case  they  should  be  required  to  bring 
back  those  whom  they  have  carried  over. 

2.  The  only  case  of  which  I  have  had  knowledge,  where  Frenchmen  have  emi- 
grated from  this  district  under  contract,  was  that  of  those  skilled  dyers  who  were 
employed  to  introduce  into  our  country  a  new  process  of  dyeing.  I  have  not  even 
heard  of  any  other  case  of  emigration  under  contract,  and  have  no  reason  to  believe 
that  there  has  bee)i  another. 

3.  I  have  no  knowledge  of  any  such  occurrences;  and  do  not  believe  that  any- 
thing improper  has  been  done  in  this  direction. 

4.  I  can  think  of  no  effective  metnod  which  would  not  involve  considerable  time 
and  expense.  A  commissioner  of  emigration  could  occupy  his  whole  time  in  some 
of  the  consular  districts ;  and  in  some  more  than  one  such  would  be  required.    Cer- 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     69 

tainly  the  consul  in  this  district  could  not  add  this  to  his  other  labors,  sc  as  to 
make  it  effective,  unless  he  had  authority  to  employ  a  special  assistant,  whose  salary 
and  traveling  expenses  would  be  $1,500  or  more.  When  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  this 
district  has  more  than  three  times  the  population  and  more  than  three  times  the 
territory  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  it  will  be  easily  seen  that  unless  the  con- 
sul depended  simply  upon  the  official  certificate  of  some  mayor  or  judge  i.e  tould 
not  guard  against  the  emigration  of  any  of  the  forbidden  classes ;  and  the  theory 
being  that  paupers  and  criminals  emigrate  with  the  connivance  of  these  very  officers, 
their  simple  certificate  would  count  for  but  very  little.  As  to  the  age  of  emigrants, 
the  consul  could  require  a  certified  copy  of  the  registry;  and  as  to  military  service, 
the  official  seal  of  the  general  of  the  division,  attesting  the  fact  that  the  person  pro- 
posing to  emigrate  had  performed  the  military  service  required,  would  be  sufficient. 
Anything  short  of  this  would  be  inadequate ;  and  for  a  consul  officially  to  approve  the 
emigration  of  those  held  to  military  service  would  not  be  thought  of.  His  exequa- 
tur would  be  recalled  at  once. 

5.  I  know  of  no  law  of  France  encouraging  emigration ;  and  of  no  law  hindering 
it,  except  the  one  affecting  those  of  the  proper  age  for  military  service. 

6.  I  do  not  know.  The  consul-general  or  the  United  States  minister  could  no 
doubt  answer  these  questions. 

7.  Reply  the  same  as  to  No.  6. 

8.  I  do  not. 

9.  The  United  States  minister  may  answer  for  me. 

(a)  A  treaty  between  France  and  the  United  States  by  which  each  country  should 
agree  to  keep  its  paupers  and  its  criminals  of  every  class  at  home  would,  I  think, 
be  of  advantage  to  the  United  States — not  that  France  has  more  of  either,  but  be- 
cause there  is  much  more  tendency  of  emigration  towards  our  country  than  away 
from  it. 

(b)  I  know  of  none  except  the  prohibition  to  leave  France  before  spending  from 
one  to  three  years  in  the  army.  That  prevents  young  men  from  emigrating  at  an 
age  most  favorable  for  them,  and  most  of  advantage  (if  they  are  young  men  of  good 
character  and  habits)  to  the  country  to  which  they  go.  I  do  not  think  the  years 
which  they  spend  in  the  army  profitable  to  them  in  fitting  them  for  citizenship  and 
home  life  in  the  United  States. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Edm.  B.  Fairfield, 
United  States  Consul, 


CONSUL  BICE,  LEGHORN. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Leghorn,  Italy,  September  15, 1891. 
Hon.  Jno.  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  of  Special  Commission, 

United  States  Treasury  Department,  Bremen,  Germany: 

Sir:  In  reply  to  your  confidential  circular  dated  July  1,  1891,  I  beg  to  state  the 
following : 

The  emigration  from  this  consular  district  is  very  insignificant;  the  provinces  of 
Lombardy,  Piedmont,  and  Venice  furnish  the  greater  number  of  the  temporary  em- 
igrants, while  most  of  the  permanent  emigrants  are  from  the  provinces  of  Cosenza, 
Potenza,  and  Salerno,  in  the  vicinity  of  Naples. 

There  are  no  emigration  agencies  here,  and  most  of  the  emigrants  for  foreign 
countries  embark  at  either  Genoa  or  Naples ;  and  some  go  from  Marseilles  and  Ha- 
vre, and  a  tew  even  from  German  ports. 

Emigration  is  not  encouraged  by  the  Government,  and  is  in  some  instances  pro- 
hibited, as  was  the  case  a  few  months  since  with  Brazil. 

I  have  only  been  able  to  receive  to-day  the  official  statistics  from  the  Government 
authorities  at  Rome  for  the  year  1890,  and  herewith  inclose  the  pamphlet,  which 
gives  full  information  on  the  subject, 
I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

William  T.  Rice, 

Consul. 

P.  S. — The  inclosure  above  mentioned,  being  too  voluminous,  has  been  sent  under 
separate  cover. 

(Pertinent  extracts  translated  from  the  inclosure  referred  to  are  herewith  ap- 
pended.— Commissioners  W.  and  K.) 


70 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


STATISTICS   CONCERNING   ITALIAN   EMIGRATION   INCLUDING   1890. 

The  Italian  emigration  can  be  divided  in  two  classes,  temporary  and  permanent. 
To  the  first  belong-  tliose  who  go  abroad  to  look  for  work  for  a  longer  or  shorter 
period;  to  the  other  belong  those  who  go  to  foreign  parts  for  an  indefinite  space  of 
time  to  find  employment  withont  any  delibevate  thonght  of  retnrn.  The  statistical 
researches  were  made  by  the  ministers  of  agriculture  and  of  the  interior,  with  the 
following  results : 

General  emigration  movement  from  1869  to  1875,  according  to  researches  of  the  ininistry 

of  interior. 


Tear. 

Pennanent 
emigration. 

Tempurarj' 
emigration. 

Clandestine 
emigration. 

Total. 

1869 

22,  201            83, 565 
16, 427             83,  588 
15,  027             96,  384 
140,  680 

14,  040 
11,  444 
11. 068 
5,585 
11, 921 
17, 362 
27, 253 

119  806 

1370                                       

111,  459 
12'>  479 

1871                           

1872        

146,  2G5 
151  781 

1873 

139,  860 
91, 239 
76,095    - 

1874 

108,  601 
103  348 

1875                                

Emigration  from  1876  to  1890,  according  to  researches  made  by  the  ministry  of  agri- 
culture and  commerce. 


y               1  Permanent  Temporary 
^®*^'         emigration,  .emigration. 

Total. 

Tear. 

Permanent  iTemporary 
emigration,  emigration. 

Total. 

1876 

19, 756 
21,  087 
18,535 
40,  824 
37, 934 
41,607 
65, 748 
68, 416 

89, 015 
78, 126 
77, 733 
79, 007 
81,  967 

94,  225 

95,  814 
100, 685 

108, 771 
99,  213 
96,  268 
119,  831 
119, 901 
135, 832 
161,  562 
169, 101 

1884 

58,  049 
77,  029 
85,  355 
127, 748 
195, 993 
113, 093 
104, 733 

88,  968 
80,  164 
82,  474 
87,  917 
94,  743 
105,  319 
112, 511 

147,  017 
157  193 

1877 

1885 

1878 

i  1886 

167  829 

1879       

1887 

215  665 

1880 

1888 

290  736 

188.1 

1889 

218, 412 
217,  244 

1882            

1890 

1883 

While  the  temporary  emigration  has  averaged  about  90,000  during  the  period  of 
twenty-two  years,  and  reached  the  maximum  of  112,511  in  1890,  the  permanent,  or 
emigration  proper,  has  averaged  about  20,000  until  1878,  and  running  to  the  highest 
figure,  195,993,  in  1888,  according  to  the  statements  of  the  syndics  (mayors). 

The  provinces  which  mostly  contribute  to  the  temporary  emigration  are  those  of 
Venice,  Piedmont,  and  Lombardy.  The  permanent,  or  emigration  proper,  draws  its 
largest  contingent  from  soutliern  Italy,  Liguria,  or  some  territories  of  the  province 
of  Cosenza,  Potenza,  Salerno,  Avcillino,  Campobasso,  and  Catanzaro,  as  w^ell  as  from 
some  provinces  of  ui)i)er  Italy,  whicli  also  largely  contribute  to  the  temporary  emi- 
gration. Emigration  from  Emilia  is  insignificant.  In  Tuscany  and  Qmbria  it  is 
sporadic.    None  from  Sardinia. 

SEX   AND  AGE. 

Emigration  of  males  is  larger  than  that  of  females  and  of  adults  more  than  of 
children.  In  the  triennial  period  of  1888-'90  we  find  that  males  constitute  from  87 
to  90  per  cent  of  the  whole  temporary  emigration  and  from  65  to  72  per  cent  of  the 
permanent.  Children  under  14  constitute  from  17  to  25  per  cent  of  the  permanent 
emigration. 

PROFESSIONS  AND  TRADES. 

From  the  temporary,  as  well  as  permanent  emigration  for  1890,  we  find  that  agri- 
culturists were  90,720,  or  47  per  cent  of  the  total  emigration  from  14  years  of  age  and 
over;  general  laborers,  journeymen,  44,037,  i.  e.,  23  per  cent;  masons  and  stonecut- 
ters, 24,292,  i.  e.,  13  per  cent;  tradesmen  and  artisans,  14,255,  about  8  per  cent. 
These  classes  all  together  give  a  sum  total  of  173,304,  i.  e.,  91  per  cent  of  all  the  emi- 
grants, men  and  women,  over  14  years  of  age.  The  agriculturists  relatively  give  a 
larger  contingent  to  American  immigration  than  to  European  States.  It  is  the  oppo- 
site with  skilled  laborers,  such  as  mason.s,  miners,  stonecutters,  and  others  who  are 
found  ©Yery where  on  the  continent  employed  in  various  capacities. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


71 


Destinations  of  emigrants  in  1890. 


Country. 

Number  of 
emigrants. 

Per  cent. 

Country. 

Number  of 
emigrants. 

Per  cent. 

Austria  , 

31.  241 

6,946 

10, 707 

29,  aio 

150 
15,  215 
842 
138 
251 
380 

3,630 

1,449 

14.47 
3.22 
4.96 

13.58 
0.07 
7.05 
0.39 
0.06 
0.12 
0.18 

1.68 

0.67 

4.8   019 

22  25 

Switzerland     ..         .. 

.A.merica       ...  . . 

926 

16,  233 

3,334 

41,352 

3,103 

0  43 

Brazil 

7.52 

Belgium  and  Holland 

Germany          .     .     ..... 

Cliile  and  Peru 

1  54 

Republic  De  la  Plata  Ar- 
gentine Republic 

America  (witliout  dis- 
tinction of  States)  

Total  for  America., 

Great  Britain  and  Ireland . 

19.16 

Bussia 

1.46 

Spain  and  Portugal 

Servia,  Romania,  Greece, 

113,018 

52.  36 

Europe  in  general  with- 
out distinction  of  States. 

Total  for  Europe... 

100, 259 

46.45 

RETURNED. 


The  following  is  a  list  of  returned  back  to  Italy  during  the  years  1887-1890,  ac- 
cording to  statistics  of  the  minivstry  of  the  navy.  Those  returned  as  first  and  second 
cabin  passengers  are  not  considered  as  returned  emigrants.  Tlioy  are  rather  simply 
tourists  or  travelers : 


Year, 

From  Plata. 

From 
frazil. 

From  tbe 
Uuited 

States. 

From  Peru. 

1887     

14,  517 
19,  998 
26,  173 
51,  001 

317 
1,130 
3,668 
1,619 

3,000 
6,086 
4,  734 

2,  859 

129 

1888 

75 

1889                                                         

101 

1890     

44 

CONSUL-GENERAL  BOURN,  ROME. 


Consulate  General -of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Rome,  Italy,  July  30,  1S91. 
Jno.  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman  of  Commission,  etc.: 

(Care  of  Uuited  States  Consul  at  Bremen,  Germany. ) 
Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  your  confidential  circular  of  the  21st  instant,  I  will   say 
that  there  is  no  emigration  from  the  consular  district  of  Rome  to  the  United  States, 
and  therefore  I  can  not  give  you  any  information  under  the  questions  marked  1,  2, 
d,  and  8, 

4,  I  think  it  practicable  to  adopt  an  effective  system  of  examination  of  intending 
emigrants  by  American  consuls,  and  that  not  only  the  entire  cost  of  maintaining 
Bucii  a  system  can  be  met  by  fees  collected  from  such  intending  emigrants,  but  that 
the  same  can  be  made  a  source  of  revenue  to  the  United  States  su&ieient  to  pay  all 
the  expenses  of  their  emigration  bureau.  No  person  can  emigrate  from  Italy  by 
sea  without  a  passport  from  the  Government,  which  is  not  granted  to  those  within 
the  military  age.  The  emigration  of  criminals  can  be  prevented  by  requiring  from 
each  intending  emigrant  a  certificate  from  the  proper  judiciary  authority  that  no 
criminal  charge  has  ever  been  made  against  him,  A  full  record  is  kept  in  the  courts 
of  the  criminal  condition  of  every  person  that  has  been  brought  before  them.  This 
record  is  kept  both  in  the  place  where  the  charge  is  made  and  in  the  place  of  the 
person's  birth, 

5.  The  Government  of  Italy  is  not  favorable  to  the  emigration  of  Italian  subjects 
and  places  many  obstacles  in  the  way  of  their  emigration, 

6,  Alien  paupera  are  sent  by  the  police  authorities  to  the  nearest  border. 

7.  This  informafion  has  been  furnished  at  various  times  by  the  different  United 
States  consuls  in  Italy  to  the  Department  of  State  at  Washington.  I  have  none  of 
the  laws  in  my  office, 

9.  As  I  have  before  said,  the  Government  of  Italy  is  not  favorable  to  the  emigra- 


12  ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

tion  of  its  subjects,  but  the  extent  to  which  it  would  be  likely  to  cooperate  with 
the  United  States,  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restricting  emigration,  can  only 
be  ascertained  by  corresijoudeuce  with  the  Government  through  our  diplomatic 
officers. 

Very  truly  yours, 

Augustus  O.  Bourn, 
^  Consul-General. 


CONSUL  PALMER,  DRESDEN, 

United  States  Consulate, 

Dresden,  July  31,  1891. 
Jno.  B.  We^er,  Esq., 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasury  Dexyartment: 

Dear  Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  circular  letter  of  your  commission 
dated  July  21,  1891.  The  emigration  to  the  United  States  from  this  consular  dis- 
trict, as  far  as  there  are  any  means  of  obtaining  accurate  information  in  regard 
thereto,  is  very  small,  probably  not  averaging  over  a  couple  of  hundred  people  per 
annum,  and  they  are  mostly  members  of  families  already  established  in  the  United 
States.  Under  these  circumstances  the  competition  between  the  carrying  compa- 
nies is  reduced  to  a  minimum,  and  their  agents  profess  to  exorcise  the  closest  inspec- 
tion in  all  cases,  and  not  to  accept  applicants  where  there  is  any  chance  of  their  ber 
ing  returned  by  the  United  States  authorities. 

There  is  no  evidence  obtainable  that  improper  persons,  criminals,  et  al.  are  aided 
by  the  Government  or  societies  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States. 

A  system  of  examinatioa  might  be  adopted  by  consuls  without  expense  to  the 
Government,  and  every  emigrant  be  obliged  to  produce  a  certilicate  signed  by  a 
United  States  consular  officer  from  the  district  where  the  emigrant  resides,  that  he 
had  satisfied  this  officer  of  his  ability  to  comply  with  the  laws  of  the  United  States. 
Each  case  would  demand  special  examination,  and  the  consular  officer  would  require 
sufficient  CA'idence  before  giving  the  certificate. 

Emigration  is  neither  encouraged  nor  hindered  by  the  authorities  except  in  case 
of  those  liable  to  military  duty. 

Alien  criminals  and  paupers  arriving  in  Saxony  are  usually  sent  back  to  the  bor- 
der from  whence  they  came. 

Any  regulations  or  restrictions  of  emigration  from  Saxony  would  be  a  matter  to  be 
considered  by  the  Imperial  authorities  at  Berlin. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully  yours, 

AuLiCK  Palmer, 
United  States  Consul. 


VICE  CONSUL  VIAL,  NICE, 
Replies  to  questions  on  emigration. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Nice,  France, . 

1.  There  are  in  my  consular  district  no  direct  lines  to  the  United  States,  and  emi- 
gration is  not  promoted  by  any  carrying  companies. 

2.  No  offioial  bureau  of  emigration  is  established  in  the  department,  and  therefore 
statistical  information  relating  thereto  is  not  obtainable;  further,  there  are  no  emi- 
gration agencies  through  which  contract  laborers  could  be  engaged  openly  or 
covertly  for  exportation  to  the  United  States. 

3.  After  diligent  inquiries,  I  do  not  lind  that  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  etc., 
are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate,  either  by  relatives,  societies,  or  Government 
authorities.  The  Government  never  banishes  paupers,  insane  persons,  or  idiots.  As 
far  as  practicable  such  people  are  assisted,  and  when  utterly  dependent  and  home- 
less, are  placed  in  special  asylums.  As  to  hardened  criminals,  they  stay,  when  at 
large,  under  the  supervision  of  the  police,  and  after  a  certain  number  of  convictions, 
are  sent  to  special  criminal  settlements,  as  Guiana,  Caledonia,  etc. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     73 

4.  Tliere  would  be,  in  my  opinion,  a  very  simple  way  for  tlie  United  States,  to  se- 
lect emigrants :  It  would  be  not  to  accept  them  in  the  United  States  ports  without  a  pass- 
port bearing  the  vise  of  the  consul  of  the  district  they  start  from.  This  vise  should 
not  be  given  without  stringent  inquiries  in  every  resi^ect  about  the  fitness  of  the 
emigrant.  The  cost  of  these  inquiries  would  not  be  very  large  in  France,  vv^here 
there  are  so  few  emigrants ;  but  it  would  perhaps  be  rather  high  in  some  other  coun- 
tries. 

5.  Emigration  is  not  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation.  The  French 
Government  interposes  no  legal  obstacles  to  emigration ;  but  its  influence  and  spirit 
are  openly  against  it,  except  for  Algeria  or  French  colonies. 

6.  Alien  criminals  or  paupers,  when  excluded  from  the  territory  of  the  Republic 
by  sentences  of  police  courts,  and  other  criminal  courts,  or  by  administrative  deci- 
sions, are  generally  returned  to  the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance. 

7.  I  do  not  know  for  my  district  any  special  regulations  for  emigration  or  immi- 
gration. As  to  laws  on  this  subject,  the  French  Government  interposes  no  obstacles 
for  emigration  or  immigration. 

8.  There  is  certainly  no  systematic  movement  here  to  divert  immigration  from 
European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  immigrants  alleged  to  be  excluded 
from  their  own  country. 

9.  Having  no  direct  communication  with  the  French  Government,  I  can  not  have 
any  idea  of  the  feeling  of  the  said  Government  on  the  subject. 

Alexander  Vial, 

Vice-Consul. 


COMMERCIAL  AGENT  LOOMIS,  ST.  ^TIENNE, 
Emigration. 

1.  Emigration  from  this  part  of  France  is  not  promoted  by  steamship  companies 
or  other  interested  agencies ;  indeed  the  total  emigration  of  Frenchmen  from  France 
to  the  United  States  does  not  exceed  5,000  a  year,  and  that  fact  alone  answers  ques- 
tion 1.  As  this  is  a  great  mining  and  manufacturing  community  I  would  know  of 
it  if  there  were  any  considerable  emigration  movement  among  the  laboring  classes. 

2.  The  engaging  of  laborers  by  contract  is  probably  limited  to  the  demand  from 
Paterson,  N.  J.,  of  a  score  of  men  each  year,  who  are  skilled  workmen  in  the  silk 
industries.  The  skilled  workmen  who  emigrate  from  this  part  of  France  are  an  ex- 
cellent class  of  men  and  will  add  to  the  wealth  of  the  nation. 

3.  There  is  no  aid  given  by  the  authorities  in  the  seven  departments  composing 
this  district  to  insane  persons,  paupers,  criminals,  or  invalids  who  desire  to  emi- 
grate, nor  are  there  any  societies  for  stimulating  emigration  of  either  a  good  or  bad 
character. 

4.  I  deem  the  plan  of  consular  supervision  and  certification  proposed  by  Mr.  Henry 
Cabot  Lodge  in  House  bill  12209,  in  its  second  session  of  the  Fifty-first  Congress, 
both  effective  and  practicable.  But  in  addition  to  the  educational  qualification  I 
would  require  a  slight  property  qualification,  as  the  French  Government  does,  say 
$40  for  adults  and  $15  for  children.  The  cost  of  this  additional  consular  service 
would  be  determined,  of  course,  by  the  voliTme  of  emigration.  But  I  should  say 
that  the  work  could  be  done  well  and  at  a  slight  expense  by  simply  multiplying  con- 
sular agents,  so  that  the  consul  could  have  some  one  in  every  commune,  of  responsi- 
bility, with  whom  to  correspond.  It  would  be  possible  to  make  the  French  notaries 
''corresponding  agents"  for  this  class  of  business,  and  a  notary  would  supply  all  the 
necessary  information  concerning  an  intended  emigrant  for  a  fee  of  $1,  which  the  emi- 
grant could  be  made  to  pay.  Indeed,  all  the  increased  expenses  of  consular  supervi- 
sion of  emigration  could  easily  be  placed  upon  the  emigrant  himself,  and  even  then 
he  would  not  be  subjected  to  a  tax  of  more  than  $5.  It  is  comparatively  easy,  in 
most  European  countries,  to  learn  a  man's  whole  record. 

5.  The  French  laws  are  practically  neutral  on  the  subject  of  encouraging  or  hinder- 
ing emigration,  but  they  do  not  permit  agents  to  make  misrepresentations  to  would-be 
emigrants. 

Nos.  6,  7,  8,  and  9.    I  am  not  prepared  to  answer  those  questions. 

Francis  B.  Loomis, 
United  States  Commercial  Agent. 


?4  ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS. 

VICE-CONSUL  OlWONXJUn,  COGNAC. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Cognac,  France,  Juhj  31,  1891. 

1.  The  extent  to  which  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by  steamship 
or  other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,,  for  the  resulting  pa.ssenger  business. 

We  know  that  there  are  a  great  many  ei^igration  agencies  in  Paris,  Bor<leanx, 
Nantes,  Lyons,  Marseilles,  but  we  don't  know  oi'  any  in  oui-  consular  district.  These 
companies  stimulate  very  much  tlie  emigration  with  promises,  which  they  can  not 
often  fullill.  From  here  very  few  emigrate,  as  our  country  is  rich  enough  to  nour- 
ish all  its  inhabitants, 

2.  The  extent  to  whicb  contract  laborers  are  engaged  openly  or  covertly  for  ex- 
portation to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes  of  em- 
ployment. 

Emigrants  are  often  compelled  to  sign  engagements  (contracts),  which,  in  assuring 
to  them  a  minimum  yearly  salary,  obligates  them  to  stay  live,  ten,  or  fifteen  years 
abroad,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  often  being  satisfied  with  their  new  life  they  estab-- 
lish  themselves  on  their  own  accord. 

3.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  others  defectives — 
paupers,  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  persons  afflicted  with  loath- 
some or  dangerous  deseases — are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to  United  States, 
in  violation  of  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement  is  furnished  syste- 
matically or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  comuiittees,  or  Govern- 
ment authorities. 

We  have  never  heard  that  committees,  societies,  or  others  encouraged  the  emi- 
gration of  persous  alluded  to  in  the  third  question.  To  the  contrary,  we  have  of'teu 
seen  the  Government,  through  its  organs,  the  journals,  try  to  make  them  understand 
that  it  is  useless,  even  dangerous,  to  go  without  means  or  witliout  a  well-founded 
situation.  Misery  and  discouragement  is  often  the  lot  of  such  improvident  people. 
Since  a  few  years  the  Gov(;rnmeut  of  the  French  Republic  tries  to  the  contrary,  to 
stop  the  emigration  to  United  States,  being  desirous  to  divert  the  current  to  its  own 
colonies,  which  are  in  want  of  hands. 

4.  Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of 
examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  or  officers  under  their 
jurisdiction,  together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if  adojited. 
In  connection  with  this  last  inquiry,  it  will  be  important  to  ascertain  w^hat  original 
official  certification  will  be  required  to  enable  consuls  to  pass  upon  the  eligibility  of 
the  intending  emigrants,  whether  detection  of  contract  laborers  or  criminals  will  be 
materially  imjjroved,  and  to  what  extent,  if  anj-^,  the  laws  governing  military  service 
would  j)revent  emigration  of  those  within  the  military  age  by  any  system  of  con- 
sular inspection. 

The  idea  of  examining  by  the  United  States  consuls,  previous  to  leaving,  into  the 
moral  and  pecuniary  state  of  the  emigrants  is  excellent  and  will  produce,  I  believe, 
very  good  results.  It  will  be  very  easy  for  the  consular  officers  to  get  information 
through  the  mayor  of  the  commune  where  the  applicant  belongs.  It  is  impossible 
for  us  to  estimate  the  cost  of  the  system  if  adopted;  but  the  demand  for  information 
and  inquiry  will  necessitate  certain  expenses,  and  we  think  that  the  sum  must  be  a 
large  one. 

We  think  that  the  following  papers  should  be  required-  Record  of  birth,  which 
gives  the  exact  age  of  the  i^etitioner,  and  will  also  inform  whether  he  has  completed 
his  military  duty  and  his  judicial  paper  which  will  establish  his  moral  qualifications. 

5.  Is  emigration  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulations;  and  if  so,  wJiat 
classes  in  respect  of  age  and  condition  are  affected  ? 

There  is  no  law  either  prohibiting  or  encouraging  emigration  from  France. 

6.  What  disposition  is  made  of  alien  criminals  or  pau})ers?  Are  they  returned  to 
the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance,  or  sent  across  the  border?  If  so,  Avhafc  are 
the  substantial  features  of  the  laws  or  regulations  governing  their  disposal? 

Vagabonds  (tramps)  and  alien  criminals  ^kre  arrested  and  brought  to  the  border  of 
their  country  or  to  the  nearest  place  to  it  when  the  land  he  comes  from  does  not  touch 
France.  The  decrees  of  expulsion  are  made  either  by  the  prefects  or  by  the  minis- 
ter of  interior.     Paupers  are  returned  home  on  their  demand  by  the  consuls. 

7.  Please  furnish,  also,  the  substantial  features  of  laws  regulating  emigration  or 
immigration,  if  any  in  the  country  where  you  are  stationed. 

We  dont  know  of  any  law  regulating  emigration  or  immigration  in  France. 

8.  Do  you  know  of  any  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  direct  emigration 
from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  emigrants  alleged  to  be  ex- 
cluded from  their  own  country? 

We  know  that  the  French  Government  encourages  emigration  to  its  own  colonies, 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     75 

and  grants  to  these  emigrants  certain  small  favors,  such  as  gratuitous  passage  on 
ships. 

9.  Do  you  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restricting  emigra- 
tion, on  which  the  Government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  would  be  likely  to 
cooperate  with  the  United  States  f 

(a)  On  what  points  do  you  think  such  cooperation  would  be  to  the  interest  of  the 
United  States  f 

(h)  On  what  points,  if  any,  do  you  think  the  interests  of  the  United  States  and 
the  Goverument  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  clash  in  the  matter  of  emigration? 

We  can  not  answer  this  question. 

M.  Ordonnaud, 
United  States  Vice-Consul. 


CONSUL  AT  WELL,  ROUBAIX. 

Commercial  Agency  of  the  United  States, 

Bouhaix,  Fi'ance,  August  24,  1891. 
Hon.  Adam  E.  King, 

Conn al- General  of  the  United  States,  Paris: 
Sir  :  After  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  subject  embodied  in  the  questions  trans- 
mitted to  me  for  the  use  of  the  United  States  Special  Commission  of  Emigration,  I 
have  the  honor  to  report  as  follows : 

Nos.  1,  2,  and  3.  There  has  never  been  an  organized  effort  in  this  district  to  pro- 
mote emigration,  and  there  are,  therefore,  no  laws  with  regard  to  it.  There  is  a 
certain  amount  of  emigration,  chiefly  to  the  Argentine  Republic.  That  to  the 
United  States  is  limited  to  individual  cases,  few  in  number,  and  representing  skilled 
workmen,  including  weavers,  spinners,  dyers,  and  designers. 

No.  4.  It  would  be  practicable  for  the  American  consul  to  obtain  from  every  in- 
tending emigrant  a  certificate  of  good  character  and  a  statement  of  his  means  from 
the  town  authorities. 

No.  5.  No  laws  governing  the  matter. 
No.  6.  Criminals  are  escorted  across  the  border. 
No.  7.  No  laws. 
No.  8.  No. 

No.  9.  In  the  absence  of  a  movement  of  this  nature  the  subject  has  not  called  for 
special  legislation. 

General  remarks. — The  manufactiu-ers  of  the  district  jealously  guard  the  secrets  of 
their  trade  and  individually  discourage  emigration  by  refusing  to  reemploy  those 
who  have  left  their  service  to  seek  employment  abroad. 
I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

W,  P.  Atwell, 
United  States  Commercial  Agent. 


CONSUL  GBELLET,  ALGIERS. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Algiers,  Africa,  August  7,  1891. 
Hon.  Adam  E.  King, 

United  States  Consul-General,  Paris  : 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  dated  July  27, 
referring  to  emigration.    In  reply  must  say — 

1.  That  there  is  no  emigration  takiug  place  from  Algiers  to  the  United  States. 

2.  That  with  respect  to  emigration  and  immigration,  Algeria  is  ooverned  by  the 
laws  of  France,  with  but  one  exception — regarding  immigrants  from  Spain — who  are 
not  allowed  to  land  in  the  colony  without  producing  a  pass  signed  by  a  French  con- 
sular officer  in  that  country.  This  measure  has  been  especially  adopted  to  prevent 
the  landing  of  Spanish  criminals  who  escaped  from  the  *^  presidios"  of  their  native 
laud  and  willingly  sought  refuge  in  this  country. 

I  am,  sir,  youi-  obedient  servant, 

Chas.  T.  Grellet. 


76  ENFOKCEMENT    OF    ALIEN   CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 

CONSUL  BENNETT,  NANTES. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  op  America, 

Nantes,  July  30,  1891. 
Hon.  Adam  E.  King, 

Cons  III- General  of  the  United  States,  Payis: 
Sir:  Referring  to  your  note  of  Jiily  25, 1  \)eg  to  say  that  the  emigration  from  tliiei 
consular  district  to  the  United  States  is  extremely  limited,  and  confined  exclusiv^ely 
to  individual  efforts;  there  is  no  organized  movement  of  the  kind.  In  fact,  there  ie 
no  direct  communication  between  the  United  States  and  the  ports  of  this  consulai 
district.  St.  Nazaire,  Lorient,  and  Brest  have  more  or  less  regular  steamship  com- 
munication with  Havre  and  Bordeaux  ports  of  embarkation  serving  the  interests  of 
this  section. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  D.  Bennett, 
United  States  Vice-Consul. 


Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Brussels,  Belgium,  August  3,  1891. 
Jno.  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman  of  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasury  Department: 

(Care  of  United  States  consulate,  Bremen,  Germany.) 

Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  your  communication  dated  July  21,  1891,  I  have  to  say 
that  Brussels  being  an  inland  city,  and  only  one  hour  distant  by  rail  from  Antwerp, 
the  principal  shipping  port  of  Belgiimi,  and  port  of  departure  of  all  vessels  sailing 
to  the  United  States,  very  few,  if  any,  Belgian  subjects  emigrate  to  the  United  States 
from  this  city.  While  the  rarity  of  emigration  from  this  place  makes  the  applic'  tion 
of  any  system  of  examination  almost  unnecessary.  I  am  strongly  in  favor  of  api)l.>  aig 
a  system  of  inspection  at  ports  of  departure  for  the  United  States  in  order  to  shut  out 
bad  emigration.  Where  such  inspection  is  enforced  no  consular  fees  should  be  con- 
nected with  it.  Persons  intending  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States  from  Belgium 
usually  leave  from  the  port  of  Antwerp.  Many  Belgians,  however,  emigrate  in  the 
ftrst  instance  to  other  European  countries,  especially  to  France,  and  from  there  to 
America. 

The  Belgian  Government  has  recently  passed  a  law  regulating  the  manner  by 
which  Belgian  emigrants  shall  be  treated  on  railways  and  steamships  while  in  tran- 
sit through  or  from  Belgium,  but  as  to  the  matter  of  Belgians  emigrating,  it  is  en- 
tirely neutral.  So  far  as  I  am  enabled  to  learn,  emigration  is  entirely  free  and  vol- 
untary, and  is  not  stimulated  or  encouraged  by  transportation  companies,  societies, 
individuals,  or  associations  of  any  kind  at  Brussels. 

I  do  not  think  there  are  any  assisted  emigrants  leaving  Brussels  for  the  United 
States.  I  have  not  heard  of  any  attempt  to  evade  our  law  prohibiting  the  importa- 
tion of  laborers  under  contract.  It  might  be  possible  that  contract  laborers  are  sent 
from  this  city  to  the  United  States,  such  a  contract  being  a  violation  of  our  iaw,  it 
may  well  be  supposed  that  all  relating  to  it  would  be  conducted  with  the  utmost 
possible  secrecy,  and  would  therefore  be  very  difficult  to  discover. 

I  am  informed  that  alien  criminals  and  paupers,  when  found  in  this  city,  are  at 
once  sent  across  the  border. 

In  order  to  fully  answer  the  questions  contained  in  your  letter  of  July  21,  1891,  it 
will  be  necessary  to  obtain  the  information  from  the  Government  authorities.  As  a 
consular  officer,  I  am  prohibited  from  corresponding  with  the  Government  of  the 
country  in  which  a  diplomatic  representative  is  stationed. 

Hon.  Edwin  H.  Terrell  is  the  United  States  minister  at  Brussels. 
I  am,  dear  sir,  very  respectfully  yours, 

Geo.  W.  Roosevelt, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  JOHNSON,  KEEL. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Kehl,  September  1, 1891. 
Hon.  John  B.  Weber,  chairman,  and  member  special  commission.  United  States  Ti-easury 
Department: 

Sir:  I  beg  to  submit  within  inclosed  my  report  on  emigration  to  the  United  States 
from  Alsace-Lorraine,  as  required  by  your  confidential  dated  at  London,  July  21, 
1891. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     77 

The  questions  have  been  answered  as  closely  as  possible.  The  Government  officials 
decline  to  give  the  desired  information  on  several  topics,  as  required  in  your  circular, 
viz,  4,  7,  8,  and  9. 

Trusting  that  my  report  will  prove  satisfactory,  I  am,  sir^  your  ohedient  servant, 

E.  JoiLNSON,  Consul. 


Beport  on  emigration  from  Alsace-Lorraine  to  the  United  States  of  America,  in  conformity 
with  request  contained  in  a  "confidential  letter"  of  members  special  commission,  United 
States  Treasury  Department,  dated  at  London,  July  21,  1891. 

1.  Emigrants  for  the  United  States  are  forwarded  by  railway  to  Bremen,  Ant- 
werp, or  Havre,  by  two  emigration  agents  in  Strasburg,  who  have  their  subagents  in 
several  places  of  the  country ;  from  those  ports  they  are  forwarded  in  steamships  of 
the  North  German  Lloyd,  Red  Star  Line,  French  emigTation  steamship  lines,  and 

I  others,  including  lines  to  Canadian  ports.  The  contracts  for  passage  generally  in- 
\  elude  fare  to  seaports  and  places  of  destination  in  the  L^nited  States.  There  are  on 
an  average  800  to  1,200  emigrants  annually  forwarded  to  America  from  Alsace-Lor- 
raine. From  the  beginning  of  the  year  up  to  date  about  226  persons  have  emigrated 
to  America,  with  Government  certificates  of  leave,  viz,  17  male  and  5  female  heads 
of  families  and  606  single  persons.  Of,  these  37  w^ere  under  14,  192  between  14  and 
21,  42  were  21  years  of  age  or  older  (males) ;  20  under  14,  8  from  14  to  21,  and  21 
were  21  years  of  age  or  older  (females).  It  is  probable  that  more  persons  have  emi- 
grated without  certificates  of  leave  or  discharge.  Statistics  of  them  can  not  be  ob- 
tained as  the  latter  class  generally  does  not  apply  to  the  home  emigration  agents, 
but  obtain  their  tickets  direct  from  the  respective  steamship  companies;  this  does 
not  include  passengers  in  the  second  class  of  steamships  who  emigrate  without  de- 
claring their  intention  to  do  so. 

2.  The  engagement  and  forwarding  of  contract  laborers  for  the  United  States  is 
prohibited,  and  would  be  severely  punished  by  the  German  authorities  if  kno-wn. 
There  is  no  agency  known  to  accept  this  class  of  emigrants. 

3.  Emigration  passes  are  granted  by  the  German  authorities,  and  it  is  supposed 
tiiat  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  paupers,  or  persons  with  diseases  are  not  ex- 
cepted. 

4.  The  supervision  of  all  emigrants  should  be  conducted  by  the  consul  in  whose 
district  the  emigrant  resides,  as  all  particulars  of  him  can  be  got  by  his  mayor,  from 
liis  birth  until  he  leaves  the  country.  If  the  emigrant  agents  were  required  by  law 
to  produce  to  the  consul  a  certificate,  under  the  seal  of  the  mayor,  the  character 
;nid  other  qualifications  required  by  the  United  States  could  easily  be  ascertained 
through  the  consul.  This  way  of  procuring  the  most  desirable  information  of  all 
intending  emigrants  and  a  required  countersigning  of  the  mayor's  certificate  by  the 
consul  would  be  a  check  on  all  illegal  emigration  to  the  United  States.  '  This  certifi- 
cate should  be  presented  and  countersigned  by  the  officers  of  the  steamship  on  which 
passage  is  made,  the  ship  to  hold  the  certificate  and  deliver  it,  together  with  the 
immigrant,  to  the  immigration  authorities  in  the  United  States,  thus  affording  triple 
guaranty,  viz: 

(1)  The  home  authorities'  certificate,  which  is  countersigned  by  the  consul,  ap- 
proved or  rejected. 

(2)  By  the  emigrant  delivering  the  certificate  to  the  official  of  the  vessel. 

(3)  By  the  delivery  of  certificate  and  immigrant  to  the  authorities  in  the  port  of 
disembarkment  in  the  United  States. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  responsibility  of  the  emigrant  has  a  commencement 
and  an  end,  which  could  be  made  effective  by  a  law  that  any  vessel  entering  an 
American  port  with  emigrants  should  have  this  joint  certificate  of  character.  To 
eft'ectually  do  this,  positive  instructions  should  be  given  to  all  consular  officers  not 
to  certify  to  any  emigrant  outside  of  their  consular  district,  for  the  reason  that 
every  consul  is  capable  of  procuring  the  information  in  his  district  of  tlie  standing 
and  fitness  of  an  emigrant  to  enter  our  ports.  If  the  emigrant  is  not  of  his  aistrict 
he  can  obtain  no  positive  knowledge  of  him,  and  the  responsibility  then  remains 
with  the  consul,  as  it  should  do. 

(5)  Emigration  is  not  desired,  but  not  directly  prevented  by  the  German  Govern- 
ment. 

(6)  Criminals  and  paupers  as  a  general  rule  are  returned  to  the  country  to  which 
they  owe  allegiance  after  they  have  atoned  for  crimes  or  offenses  committed  in  Al- 
sace-Lorraine. 

(7)  The  old  French  laws  of  July,  1860,  concerning  emigration  are  yet  in  force, 
according  to  which  nobody  is  permitted  to  do  any  business  in  this  regard  without 
the  authorization  of  the  Government  of  the  country.    License  is  required,  and  the 


78     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

amount  and  quality  of  security  defined  by  an  administrative  la^v;  also  the  circnm- 
stances  under  which  such  licenses  may  be  withdrawn,  and  the  responsibilities  of  emi-  \ 
gration  agents.     Emigration  societies  or  agents  have  to  give  their  bail  (security)  iu| 
cash,  or  bonds  to  the  amout  of  15,000  to  40,000  francs.     Guarantors  may  be  obliged  tol 
pay  within  two  weeks  the  total  amount  of  their  bail,  or  part  of  it;  if  no  paymentlj 
ensues,  they  can  be  prosecuted  by  the  minister  of  the  finances.    All  agents  are  respon- 
sible for  the  actions  of  their  subagents.     ATI  emigrants  must  be  provided  by  their 
agents  with  a  copy  of  the  contract,  showing  the  name  of  the  emigrant,  his  citizen- 
ship, the  place  of  his  intended  destination,  and  the  terms  of  contract  agreed  upon. 

(8.)  There  is  no  systematic  or  organized  movement  known  in  Alsace-Lorraine 
purposing  to  divert  immigration  from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of 
emigrants. 

(9.)  The  difficulties  attending  the  objectionable  classes  of  emigrants  to  America 
could  only  be  obviated  by  the  above  consular  regulations,  viz:  A  certificate  of  the 
consul  in  whose  district  the  person  or  family  lives,  as  this  at  once  identifies  them 
and  makes  the  steamer  responsible  for  taking  the  emigrant  to  America.  Criminals, 
lunatics,  idiots,  and  all  undesirable  people  flock  to  the  seaports  for  various  reasons,  and 
there  take  a  vessel  for  America,  and  all  vessels  that  can  sell  them  a  ticket  and  think 
that  they  can  pass  them  at  our  ports  readily  accept  them,  and  this  is  naturally 
encouraged  by  the  authorities  in  order  to  rid  the  country  of  this  scourge.  The 
above-refcrred-to  supervision  would  compel  emigrants  to  procure  their  papers  from 
their  home  authorities,  thus  enabling  the  consuls  to  prevent  the  admission  of  unde- 
sirable characters  in  the  United  States. 

The  geographical  position  of  consular  districts  is  well  known  to  our  consuls-gen- 
eral, who,  I  am  confident,  would  second  a  movement  to  more  positively  define  the 
boundaries  of  districts  under  their  supervision,  as  frequently  questions  of  this  char- 
acter occur  in  regard  to  invoices  and  other  consular  business. 

E.   JOHNSON; 

Consul. 
United  States  Consulate, 

KehlfGermany,  September  1, 1891. 


CONSUL-GENERAL  MAXON. 

Consulate-General  of  the  United  States, 

Frankfort-on -the- Main,  August  18,  1891. 
John  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman  Special  Emigration  Commission,  U.  S.  Treasury  Department: 

Dear  Sir:  I  have  duly  received  your  confidential  circular  of  July  21,  and  have 
hoped  that  your  committee  or  some  part  of  it  might  be  able  to  visit  Fraukfort,  but 
having  heard  nothing  further  from  you  I  conclude  that  you  have  found  it  impracti- 
cable to  pass  this  way,  and  therefore  submit  the  following  reply  to  some  of  the  inter- 
rogatories comprised  by  your  circular : 

Frankfort  is  not  in  any  sense  an  emigration  city.  It  is  wealthy  and  prosperous. 
The  poor  form  a  very  small  proportion  of  the  population,  and  such  of  that  class  as 
are  really  deserving  are  admirably  provided  for  by  the  excellent  poor  system  that  is 
in  practice  here.  This  being  an  inland  city,  there  is  no  gathering  here  of  emigrants 
for  embarkation,  and  the  few  persons  who  actually  emigrate  irom  here  to  the  United 
States  are  nearly  or  all  of  the  better,  independent  class,  who  go  for  business  reasons. 
I  can  not  ascertain  that  the  steamship  comi^anies  make  any  undue  effort  to  obtain 
steerage  passengers  from  this  district,  and  as  a  matter  of  fact  they  obtain  very  few. 
All  the  leading  German  and  Belgian  lines  have  agents  here,  but  their  eflbrts  are 
directed  much  more  toward  obtaining  first  and  second  class  passengers  and  freight 
than  emigrants. 

Frankfort  is  not,  therefore,  a  favorable  point  for  obtaining  most  of  the  special 
information  that  your  circular  contemplates. 

But  I  have  been  personally  a  long  time  in  the  consular  service,  as  consul  at  Basle, 
Switzerland,  and  Marseilles,  in  France,  where  there  was  a  large  emigration  to  the 
United  States,  and  I  have  very  positive  opinions  about  the  necessity  and  entire  feasi- 
bility of  a  consular  supervision  of  emigration  to  our  country.  The  following  is,  in 
my  opinion,  the  most  obvious  and  practicable  method: 

Every  emigrant  before  being  permitted  to  land  in  the  United  States  should  be 
required  to  present  a  certificate  issued  by  the  Oberburgermeister  (mayor)  of  the 
village  or  comumne  in  which  he  had  last  resided,  declaring  officially  when  and  where 
the  bearer  was  born  j  his  trade  or  profession  j  whether  married,  or  single ;  if  married, 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     79 

hoTv  many  children  and  the  name,  sex,  and  ago  of  each;  whether  or  not  the  bearer 
has  ever  been  convicted  of  crime,  or  whether  he  or  his  wife  or  chiklren  have  ever 
received  public  alms  or  assistance.  The  certificate  should  state  that  the  bearer  is  in 
good  mental  and  bodily  health,  capable  of  earning  a  livelihood,  and  has  the  permis- 
sion of  the  government  of  which  he  is  a  subject.  Every  emigrant  above  18  years  of 
age  should  "be  required  to  present  such  a  certificate  and  in  case  of  women  it  should 
further  declare  that  the  bearer  has  no  illegitimate  children  and  is  not  a  prostitute. 

Such  a  certificate  issued  by  the  burgomaster,  who  has  the  record  of  every  citizen 
of  his  village  or  commune  under  his  hand,  should  be  presented  personally  by  the 
intending  emigrant  to  the  United  States  consul  of  the  district  for  verification.  If 
the  consul  is  satisfied  with  the  appearance  and  credentials  of  the  applicant  he  will 
authenticate  the  signature  of  the  burgomaster  or  Amtsrichter  with  his  name  and 
official  seal.  If  not  satisfied  he  may  specially  investigate  that  particular  case,  and 
act  in  accordance  with  the  facts  that  he  may  discover.  For  this  service  the  consul 
might  be  authorized  to  charge  a  nominal  fee,  say  $1,  which  would  pay  the  cost  of 
any  special  arrangements  which  might  need  to  be  made  to  meet  this  additional 
service. 

I  have  no  knowledge  of  any  effort  being  made  by  local  governments  in  this  district 
to  send  paupers  or  criminals  to  the  Unitcul  States.  I  do  know,  however,  that  the 
German  Imperial  Government  is  in  spirit  and  principle  opposed  to  the  emigration  of 
Its  subjects  to  any  country,  and  I  am  confident  that  it  would  gladly  cociperate  with 
our  Government  by  instructing  its  local  ofhcials  to  exercise  thorough  vigilance  and 
care  in  issuing  certificates  to  German  citizens  who  seek  to  obtain  passage  (;0  fche  United 
States. 

This  system  would,  I  am  confident,  work  admirably  in  France,  Switzerland,  and 
Germany,  where  the  birth,  parentage,  and  entire  career  of  every  citizen  are  matters 
of  strict  public  record,  and  every  important  fact  in  a  man's  life  is  readily  accessible 
to  the  otHcers  of  the  city,  village,  or  commune  in  which  he  lives.  The  adoption  of 
such  a  plan  would  add  something  to  the  labor  of  United  States  consuls,  but  in  my 
opinion  every  capable  and  patriotic  consul  of  the  United  States  will  gladly  under- 
take such  additional  labor  for  the  sake  of  protecting  the  Republic  from  the  swarm  of 
ignorant,  vicious,  and  undesirable  emigrants  that  Europe  has  so  long  poured  upon 
our  shores. 

I  am,  gentlemeu;  very  respectfully  yours, 

Frank  H.  Maxon, 

Consiil-General. 


CONSUL  GBINNELL,  MANCHESTEB. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Manchester,  August  31,  1891. 
Hon.  John  B,  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  U.  S.  Treasury  Department,  Bremen: 
Sir:  Referring  to  your  circular  of  date  Ijondon,  July  21,  and  to  the  valuable  hints 
given  me  by  Hon.  Judson  N.  Cross,  of  your  commission,  during  his  visit  to  this  con- 
sulatie  on  the  31st  ultimo,  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose — 

1.  Original  letter  from  Mr.  Leach,  of  the  important  forwarding  firm  of  Swan  & 
Loach,  of  Manchester,  London,  Liverpool,  etc. 

2.  Mr.  Jacob  Higson's  (J.  &  P.  Higson)  concise  replies  to  the  questions  of  your  cir- 
cular. 

To  these  I  need  only  add  that,  from  nine  to  ten  years'  residence  in  Lancashire  and 
Yorkshire,  I  am  convinced  of  the  not  only  unobjectionable,  but  ben  eficial  character,  of 
the  class  of  emigrants  hence  to  the  United  States,  within  the  very  moderate  bounds 
now  existing  and  current. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

William  F.  Grinnell, 

United  States  Consul. 

A  gentleman  having  in  his  interests  as  chief  of  a  firm  of  civil  and  mining  en- 
gineers upward  of  30,000  workmen  in  his  more  or  less  direct  employ,  both  here  and 
in  the  United  States,  and  often  facilitating  their  transfer  to  the  latter  country,  has 
been  so  good  as  to  give  me,  inapersonal  interview,  full  answers  to  yourqueries,  which 
I  epitomize  below,  seriatim. 

William  F.  Grinnell, 

Consul. 


80      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS 

1.  I  have  never  known  the  steamship  companies  to  do  anything  (beyond  public 
advertisement)  to  promote  emigration  to  the  United  States. 

2.  No  contract,  either  openly  or  covertly. 

3.  There  is  no  sending  of  criminals  or  imbeciles  from  here. 

4.  Could  with  consular  inspection,  but  no  need  for  it  here. 

5.  Neither  for  the  "  States." 

6.  Kept  in  prison.     No.  ^ 

7.  No  laws  regulating  emigration,  only  to  keep  steamers  in  order,  properly  to  feed 
and  lodge  emigrants. 

8.  No. 

9.  No ;  no  need. 

a,  &.  Emigration  to  the  United  States  is  only  influenced  by  friends  on  the  other 
Jide. 

J.  H. 


[Inclosure  No.  1.] 

Manchester,  August  19,  1891. 
\S'M.  F.  Grinnell,  Esq., 

United  States  Consul,  Manchester : 
Sir:  With  reference  to  the  interview  you  honored  me  with  yesterday  and  to  the 
circular  letter  you  then  showed  me,  I  beg  to  submit  the  following  remarks  upon  each 
of  the  numbered  paragraphs : 

1.  The  steamship  companies  and  their  agents  promote  this  business  to  the  best  of 
their  ability. 

2.  No  such  case  has  ever  come  under  my  notice.  Generally  the  emigrant  is  one 
seeking  to  better  his  position,  and,  unless  he  has  friends  on  the  other  side,  does  not 
know  where  he  is  going  to  settle  down. 

3.  The  steamship  companies  have  in  their  instructions  to  agents,  which  are  renewed 
every  year,  a  clause  expressly  forbidding  any  persons  to  be  booked  who  might  be- 
come a  burden  to  the  authorities  on  the  other  side  from  any  cause,  and  latterly 
great  stress  has  been  laid  on  this  particular  paragraph,  and  agents  have  been  warned 
that  if  the  cost  of  carrying  back  from  the  United  States  of  a.  rejected  emigrant  is 
incurred  through  their  fault  tliey  will  be  lield  responsible.  In  addition  to  this  you  will 
bo  aware  that  a  doctor,  employed  by  the  board  of  trade,  is  in  attendance  upon  every 
vessel  carrying  passengers  before  she  is  cleared,  to  prevent  any  one  obviously  ill 
attempting  the  journey. 

, .  Only  by  having  your  own  representative  at  every  port  to  inspect  the  passengers 
on  every  ship. 

4  a.  We  can  not  offer  any  remarks  here. 

5.  Generally  speaking,  the  Government  of  this  country  would  rather  see  emigrants 
proceeding  to  our  own  colonies  than  to  the  United  States.  Seeing  that  in  every  post- 
office  in  the  land  a  quarterly  sheet  is  displayed  giving  information  in  a  succinct  form 
about  work  and  wages  in  our  colonies,  with  a  view  of  directing  attention  to  those 
lands,  I  think  I  may  say  that  our  Government,  though  passive  in  the  matter,  does 
not  encourage  emigration  to  the  L^nited  States. 

6.  All  are  admitted  and  are  equally  free  to  leave  the  Kingdom. 

7.  Practically  there  are  no  laws. 

8.  This  does  not  apply  to  England. 

9.  We  can  only  say  that,  as  there  exists  a  very  cordial  feeling  between  the  Court 
of  Saint  James  and  the  Government  at  Washington,  any  representation  your  Gov- 
ernment might  make  would  be  very  carefully  considered. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  very  obedient  servant, 

W.  H.  Leach. 


CONSUL  HEATH,  CATANIA. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Catania,  July  29,  1891. 
Mr.  Jno.  B.  Weber,  Bremen: 

Dear  Sir:  From  my  consular  district  there  is  practically  no  emigration;  the 
people  here  are  a  hard  working  peasant  class,  perfectly  contented  with  their  position 
and  with  no  desires  for  new  fields. 

Perhaps  20  people  leave  this  part  of  Sicily  during  the  year  for  the  United  States, 
an  i  they  go  on  board  ship  at  Palermo. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     81 

As  far  as  Italj'^  is  concerned,  the  ports  of  departure  for  emigrants  are  practicallj 
two :  Palermo  for  Sicily  and  Naples  for  continental  Italy. 

Tlie  ports  of  dej^arture  for  emigrants  in  Europe  are  all  large  shii)ping  ports,  and 
the  consTils  at  these  places  could  not  very  well  make  efficient  inspectors,  l)ecause  they 
already  have  sufficient  other  business  to  attend  to,  but  at  other  consulates,  where 
the  emigration  does  not  exceed  a  few  hundred  persons  per  annum,  the  consuls  could 
probably  be  made  efficient  inspectors  of  persons  and  records. 

It  is  my  opinion  that,  to  prevent  the  class  of  emigrants  not  wanted  from  starting 
on  their  journey  to  the  United  States,  inspectors  should  be  appointed  to  reside  in 
the  principal  ports  pf  departure,  paid  by  salaries,  not  fees.  These  principal  ports 
of  departure  in  all  Europe  are  less  than  twenty. 

To  assist  matters,  the  intending  emigrant  should  be  made  to  produce  certain  evi- 
dence in  writing,  filled  in  and  certified  to  by  the  town  or  city  authorities. 

Undoubtedly  the  steamship  companies,  and  especially  the  agents  on  commission, 
hold  out  all  kinds  of  flowery  inducements  to  attract  passengers,  and  that  probably 
three-quarters  of  the  emigrants  from  Italy  to  the  United  States  are  persuaded  to 
emigrate. 

Yours^  truly, 

Charles  Heath, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  WILLIAMS,  ROUEN,  FRANCE. 


Jno.  B.  "Weber,  Esq.,  Chairman: 

Sir  :  Your  communication,  dated  July  21,  1891,  reached  me  by  last  mail.  I  hasten 
to  reply  that  I  appreciate  fully  the  important  work  of  your  commission  and  desire  to 
assist  to  the  extent  of  my  power.  I  believe  that  reliable  answers  to  your  queries  can 
not  be  obtained  otherwise  than  by  my  personal  inspection  of  the  class  of  emigrants 
who  enter  on  shipboard  from  the  port  of  Bonlogue-sur-Mer,  which  is  in  my  consular 
district. 

I  do  not  feel  authorized  to  visit  Boulogne-sur-Mer  for  this  purpose,  but  felt  inclined 
to  call  the  attention  of  the  Government  to  it  and  request  permission  to  do  so  at  the 
expense  of  the  Government. 

If  you  desire  this  information  and  feel  authorized  to  thus  depute  me  to  obtain  it,  I 
will  comply  with  your  request. 

At  all  events  I  will  do  all  in  my  power  to  obtain  the  information,  but  know  of  no 
other  plan  by  which  I  would  be  able  to  vouch  for  its  accuracy. 
Yours  respectfully, 

Chas.  p.  Williams, 
United  States  Consul, 


Report  upon  emigration  from  this  consular  district. 

On  my  return  from  a  visit  to  my  consular  district  last  year,  I  called  the  attention 
of  the  Department  of  State  to  the  fact  that  a  considerable  emigration  from  Boulogne- 
sur-Mer  came  under  my  observation,  and  ask«d  for  instructions  which  would  enable 
me  to  inform  myself  concerning  the  character  and  condition  of  proposed  emigrants. 
To  this  request  I  have  received  no  response.  I  can  therefore  give  no  reply  to  the 
questions  as  to  the  extent  to  which  criminals,  etc.,  are  sent  out,  as  the  most  careful 
inquiry  by  me  personally  made  could  not  elicit  the  information.  In  the  dispatch, 
referred  to  I  stated  that  a  very  small  proportion  of  the  emigrants  were  of  Frencli 
origin ;  the  statistics  herein  contained  bear  me  out  in  this  assertion.  The  emigrants 
are  frequently  placed  on  board  of  the  steamship  lying  in  the  roads  at  night,  as 
the  ship  varies  in  her  hours  of  touching  at  this  port.  French  law  does  not  favor 
emigration  nor  do  French  people  incline  to  it. 

I  presume  that  the  more  favorable  terms  offered  by  the  Netherlands-American 
Steam  Navigation  Company  induced  emigrants  to  take  that  route.  So  long  as  the 
company  was  paid  and  the  emigrants  gave  them  no  trouble  in  landing,  they  cared 
little  about  their  antecedents  or  future.  It  is  perfectly  practicable  to  institute  a 
medical  examination,  as  also  such  inquiry  as  would  lead  to  the  detection  of  pauper 
^nd  criminal  candidates. 

Ht  Bx,  57  — 05J 


82 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


I  should  consider  that  this  work  could  not  be  thoroughly  done  for  less  tlian  $2  pel 
head.  The  percentage  of  cabin  passengers  from  Boulogne-sur-Mer  is  very  small,  so 
insignificant,  in  fact,  that  the  entire  list  could  be  safely  treated  as  emigrants. 

The  carefully  i>repared  list  of  passengers  arranged  according  to  nationality  hereto  i 
annexed  will  throw  much  light  on  this  subj  ect. 

^  Chas.  p.  Williams, 

United  States  Consul. 
RouENj  France, 

August  11,1891. 


August  11.  1891. 
To  the   United  States  Special  Commission  of  Emigration,  care   of  the  consul-general  of 
the  United  States  at  Paris: 

Gentlemen:  On  receipt  of  the  letter  of  your  chairman,  followed  by  that  ofth© 
United  States  consul-general  at  Paris,  I  repaired  to  Boulogne-sur-Mer,  the  only  port 
from  which  emigration  to  America  takes  place,  and  instituted  such  inquiries  as 
would  enable  me  to  give  you  the  desired  information.  It  is  necessarily  incomplete, 
but  clear  in  this  particular,  that  the  proportion  of  French  emigrants  is  small,  and 
that  the  antecedents  of  the  others  is  past  finding  out,  except  by  some  organized  and 
systematic  procedure. 

I  am  at  your  service  for  all  information  procurable  by  me.     I  will  attend  you  at 
Paris,  if  you  desire,  and  I  can  do  so  at  any  time  which  you  might  designate. 
I  am,  gentlemen,  yours,  respectfully, 

Chas.  P.  Williams, 
United  States  Consul. 


Passengers  embarked  at  Boulogne-sur-Mer,  on  board  tbe  steamships 
of  the  JS'eerlands- American  Company,  for  New  York; 


Date. 

l^arae  of  steamer. 

Destination. 

Tonnage, 
net. 

Passengers. 

1889. 

New  York.... 
do 

2,650 
2,223 
1,861 
2,351 
2,266 
2,653 
2,650 
2,  223 
],867 
2,361 
2,266 
2,353 
2,650 
2,  223 
1,867 
2, 361 
2,  266 
2,656 
2,650 
2,223 
1,867 
2,361 
2,  266 
2,653 
2,650 
2,223 
1,867 
2,360 

2,266 
2.653 
2.650 
2.361 
1,867 
2,  667 
2,653 
2,650 
2,729 
2,361 
3,244 

30 

20 

16 

July      7 
13 

P   (;alan(l 

do 

45 

Rottcrdara 

Edam        

do 

32 

21 

do 

42 

27 

Oldam 

....do 

27 

Aug.      4 
10 

Anistoi'dam 

do 

69 

Vpiidam        ...       .   .   -.... ............... .. 

..do    

72 

18 

P.  Caland 

....do  

69 

24 

J^otterdam 

do 

67 

Sept.      1 
7 
15 
22 
29 

Oct.       6 

ICdam                   .     .     ......       .          ... ...... 

.do       ... 

104 

( )ldam        

do 

89 

Amsterdam 

....do 

79 

....do 

65 

P  Calaud      

. .    do 

58 

....do  

98 

13 

Ed  am 

....do  

62 

20 

Oldam             

do    

71 

27 

....do 

66 

KoT.      2 

....do  

43 

10 

P.  Caland..... 

Rotterdam 

Edam 

. do 

40 

16 

..do 

67 

24 

....do  

98 

30 

do 

63 

Dec.        7  !    AmstprfLnm    _.      

do 

100 

14 

Yendam 

P.  Caland 

Rotterdam 

49 

25 

do 

32 

28 

.  do 

25 

1890. 
Jan      12 

Edam             

do           

55 

14 

..do 

17 

28 

Amsterdam 

do 

42 

Feb.       8 

Rotterdam 

do    

72 

16 
23 
Mar.      4 
12 
15 
23 
29 

P.  Caland 

do 

32 

....do 

48 

Oldam                    .     .            . 

do    

58 

do 

41 

Maasdam 

do 

94 

Rotterdam        ..                          ......           ........ 

do 

39 

Spaarudam 

....do 

171 

ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


83 


Date. 

Name  of  steamer. 

Destination. 

Tonnage, 
net. 

Passengers. 

1890. 
Apr.      6 

12 

P  Caland               

New  York 

....do 

1,847 
2,  667 
2,650 
2,729 
2,361 
2,948 
2,667 
1,670 
2,429 
2,390 
2,576 
2,172 
2,968 
2,400 
2,  577 
2,429 
2  490 

37 

41 

20 

do    

31 

do 

48 

May      4 
10 

.  do 

42 

Snanrnflam                      ..               . ............ 

do 

13 

do 

36 

25 

P    f'llaud                                        .           

. .    do 

23 

June      1 

7 

do 

33 

....do  

23 

^1 

Ar'i'Tsflnm                              .           ..    . .. ..... 

do      

19 

15 

do 

38 

21 

do 

38 

29 

AV^frkpTiflam                                   

...  do  

37 

July      6 
13 

do 

55 

do 

56 

19 

Oldam                                       

...do    

36 

23 

do 

2,576 
2,172 
2,948 
2,400 
2,577 
2,429 
2,390 
•  2,  576 
2,172 
1,867 
1,994 
2,948 
2,400 
2,577 
2,429 
2,390 
2,576 
2,172 
2,948 
2,400 
2,577 
2,429 
2,390 
2,576 
2,172 
2,400 
2,420 

2,390 
2,576 
2,172 
2,948 
2,400 
2,577 
2,429 
2,390 
2,576 
2,172 
2,948 
2,  400 
2,577 
2,390 
2,576 
2,429 
2,948 
2,400 
2,172 
2,577 
2.390 
1,770 
2,576 
2,429 
2,948 
2,400 
2,172 
2,390 
1,770 
2,576 
2,429 
1,867 
2,948 
2,400 

33 

27 

do 

30 

Aug.      3 
10 

Spaarndnm                            .  . .... ........ 

...do    

46 

...  do  

68 

17 

do 

96 

24 

Amsterdam                      ..  ..-   ........ 

.   .do    

75 

31 

Oldam         

do 

122 

Sept.      3 

do 

50 

Rotterdam .... 

...  do  

68 

11 

P  Caland 

....do  

26 

18 

Znjiinflnm                                       .... ..      ...... 

do 

14 

18 

do 

79 

21 

...do  

75 

28 

Vetudam                           .......     ..            ... 

do 

191 

Oct         5 

do    

94 

12 

Oldam       

....do  

118 

17 

Ma<isflam                         ..................... ... 

do    .     ... 

28 

20 

do 

52 

26 

Sm.imfliiTn                                    ... 

do 

78 

Nov        2 

\Verkeudam            - 

do    

67 

8 

....do 

127 

16 

do 

102 

23 

Oldam                

do    

74 

27 

do 

8 

29 

T?fittprdfl,m                      ..    ..             ....    ..... 

do 

53 

Dec      18 

'\Yerkeiidam      .  ... ... 

do    

112 

28 

do 

77 

1891. 

do 

75 

12 

do 

59 

18 

TJnttprdiiiTi                                 .    ...      

.  do 

56 

26 

do 

42 

Feb.       1 

do 

54 

7 

V'eendam                ..   .............   .   .. 

do 

51 

14 

...do    

55 

21 

Oldam 

do 

84 

Mar       1 

Maasdam         ...... 

do 

96 

8 

do    

95 

14 

Spaamdam 

do 

121 

22 

...do         ..   .. 

196 

29 

do 

136 

Apr.      5 
11 

Oldam                

do 

98 

Maasdam .. .- .......... 

.     do      ...     . 

199 

19 

do 

177 

25 

Spaarndam                ......... .... 

do 

339 

May       2 

.do    

112 

Eotterdam 

do 

101 

10 

Veerndam      ..... ... ..     ...   . 

do 

106 

16 

Oldaiu 

do      

70 

20 

Didam                  ..     .  . ..       ... 

do 

19 

24 

.do 

79 

31 

Amsterdam 

do 

57 

June      7 

Spaarndam       .........  ..................... .   . 

do 

190 

13 

W^erkendani                  ... 

do 

43 

21 

P/Ottcrdam 

...do 

198 

27 

Oldam 

do 

81 

July      2 

Didam         .   ......... ....   ....... 

do 

27 

do      

96 

12 

Amsterdam        ......     ... 

do 

73 

15 

P.  Caland 

do         

78 

18 

do 

61 

25 

Werkendam „ 

do 

60 

Total 

8,300 

84 


ENFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT   ifABOR    LAWS. 


Nuinber  and  nationality  of  emigrants  from  Rouen  from  June  23,  1889,  to  May  4,  1890. 

Italians 1^  400 

Syrians 400 

Armenians 275 

Greeks , 


French  . . 
Germans. 

Swiss 


Alsatians 

Russians 

Poles 

Japanese 

Spaniards 

Americfins 

Austrians , 

Roumanians . 

Canadians 

Belgians , 

Lnxembourgians 

Turks 

Cyprians 

Maltese 

Brazilians 

Danes  .' 


70 
90 
40 
50 
40 


300 


Total 2,665 

t^umier  and  nationality  of  emigrants  from  Rouen  from  May  10, 1890,  to  January  12, 1891' 

Italians 1,  300 

Syrians 500 

French 250 


Germans . . . 
Armenians . 
Swiss , 


Russians. .. 
Alsatians  .. 
Hollanders . 
Austrians  . . 
Americans  . 

English 

Egyptians  . 

Greeks 

Belgians  ... 
Spaniards . , 
Poles 


130 
100 
30 
30 
30 
30 


250 


Total 2,650 


Numb  iv  and  nationality  of  emigrants  from  Rouen  from  January  18, 1891,  to  July  19,  1891, 
Italians 1,150 


Syrians 

French 

Swiss 

Germans 

Greeks 

Armenians 

Alsatians 

Belgians 

English 

Austrians 

Americans 

Canadians 

Russians 

200  Montenegrans 
Lnxembourgians  . 

Turks 

Spaniards 

Roumanians 


800 
190 
190 
80 
80 
80 
30 
40 
80 


200 


Total,,,,.,,, „,„:,„„,,,,, .„. 2,920 


J 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


85 


CONSUL   WAMEE,   COLOGNE. 

The  number  of  emigrants  from  this  consular  district  is  very  small  in  comparison 
with  the  number  emigrating  from  other  parts  of  Germany.  According  to  the  ofli- 
cially  published  statistics  by  the  German  Imperial  bureau  the  total  number  of  per- 
sons that  emigrated  from  Germany  in  the  year  1890  amounted  to  91,925,  of  which 
85,112  are  put  down  as  having  emigrated  to  the  United  States.  From  the  Rhine- 
land,  Avhich  embraces  the  consular  districts  of  Cologne,  Crefeld,  Barmen,  and  Dus- 
seldorf,  the  number  emigrated  amounted  to  4,037,  or  87  to  every  100,000  of  the  total 
population  of  the  Rhineland.    Of  the  4,037  emigrated,  3,789  went  to  the  United  States. 

The  agricultural,  and  not  the  industrial,  districts  of  Germany  furnish  the  largest 
number  of  emigrants,  and  hence  the  small  number  leaving  this  district  which  is 
chiefly  industrial.  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  the  reason  for  this  is  that  the  work- 
men engaged  in  the  industries  can  not  save  sufficient  means  out  of  their  slim  earn- 
ings to  enable  them  to  emigrate;  whereas  the  small  farmers  can  always  raise  not 
only  sufficient  means  to  take  them  to  the  United  States,  but  to  carry  ready  money 
with  them.  This  class  of  emigrants  is  very  desirable,  and  certainly  of  great  pecun- 
iary loss  to  Germany. 

The  following  table  may  be  interesting  as  showing  the  number  of  emigrants  to 
every  100,000  from  the  various  provinces  of  Germany : 


Provinces  and  States. 


East  Prussia 

AVest  Prussia 

Brandenburg  and  Berlin. . . 

Pomerauia 

Posen 

Silesia 

Saxony  

Silesia-  Ilolstein 

Hitnover 

Westphalia 

Hesse-Xassau 

Bavaria : 

Ptiglit  bank  of  Rhine  . . 

Lett  bank  of  Rhine 

Ehiueland 


1890. 


101 

753 

108 

542 

630 

53 

57 

328 

262 

99 

168 

162 
146 
87 


Provinces  and  States. 


Hohenzollem 

"Wurtemberg 

Baden  

Hesse 

Alsace-Lorraine 

Kingdom  oi'  Saxony  . . . 

Saxe- Weimar 

Saxe-Meiuingen 

Saxc-Altenburg 

Saxe-Coburg-Gotha 

Schwarzburg-Sonders 

hansen  

Schwarzburg-Rudol 

stadt  

Reuss,  old  line 


258 

294 

217 

215 

59 

75 

87 

106 

69 

100 

154 

107 
108 


Provinces  and  States. 


Reuss,  young  line 

MeckLenburg-Schwerin  . . 

Mecklenburg-Strelitz 

Oldenburg  

Brunswick 

Auhalt 

Schwarzburg-Lippe  

Lippe 

Lubeck 

Bremen 

Hamburg 

Waldeck 


1890. 


172 

193 

197 

283 

77 

36 

89 

79 

107 

540 

324 

144 


Emigration  is  voluntary,but  every  male  person,  after  the  completion  of  the  seven- 
teenth year  and  up  to  the  completion  of  the  twenty-fifth  year,  who  is  liable  to  mili- 
tary duty,  can  not  leave  the  Empire  without  giving  satisfactory  reason  to  the 
authorities  that  he  does  not  leave  for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  military  duty.  He  is 
required  to  report  himself  on  the  day  he  is  called  out,  and  if  he  fails  to  ehow  him- 
self he  is  condemned  in  his  absence  to  tine  or  uuprisonment.  I  don't  believe  that 
either  the  Government  authorities,  societies,  or  committees  engage  in  aiding  crimi- 
nals or  any  other  undesirable  persons  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States.  As  to  rela- 
tives assisting  such  persons  to  the  United  States,  I  am  unable  to  say.  I  believe  that 
the  contract-labor  law  is  frequently  broken,  but  to  what  extent,  I  am  not  prepared 
to  say. 

With  reference  to  the  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls  I 
believe  that  some  good  could  be  accomplished^  and  more  so  if  the  Government 
officials  would  cooi)erate  with  the  consuls.  But  it  is  hardly  to  be  expected  that  the 
Government  would  engage  in  any  system  by  which  it  would  get  rid  of  its  best  people 
and  retain  its  worst  element. 

It  seems  to  me  that  one  way  in  which  the  consuls  could  learn  something  about  in- 
tending emigrants  is  to  require  them  to  produce  testimonials  as  to  their  previous  his- 
tory, character,  etc.,  either  from  creditable  persons  or  local  officials  (or  both)  at  the 
places  of  their  residence,  and  to  whom  the  consuls  could  afterward  apply  for  any 
further  info:j;^mation  desired.  No  person  in  Germany  is  given  employment  without 
possessing  some  sort  of  testimonial.  These  examinations  would  certainly  require 
considerable  extra  work  on  the  part  of  the  consuls  for  which  they  ought  to  be  paid. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Wm.  D.  Wamer. 

Mr.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission  to  Investigate 

European  Immigration  to  the  United  States. 

P.  S. — Alien  criminals  after  serving  their  time  in  jail  are  expelled  from  Prussia  by 
sending  them  across  the  border.     The  same  disposition  is  made  of  alien  paupers. 


86  ENFORCEMENT   OF   ALIEN   CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS. 

CONSUL  AMGIER,  RHEIMS. 

1.  The  extent  to  which  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by  steamship 
or  other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resnlting  passenger  business. 

Answer.  None,  to  my  knowledge,  in  this  consular  district. 

2.  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  a^pe  engaged  openly  or  covertly  for  ex- 
portation to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes  of  em- 
ployment. 

Answer,  None  whatever,  to  my  knowledge,  in  this  consular  district. 

3.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives — pau- 
pers or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  persons  afflicted  with  loath- 
some or  dangerous  contagious  diseases — are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to  the 
United  States  in  violation'  to  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement  is  fur- 
nished systematically  or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  committees, 
or  Government  authorities. 

Answer.  Not  at  all. 

4.  Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of  ex- 
amination of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls,  or  officers  under  their  direc- 
tion, together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system,  if  adopted. 

(See  close  of  reply  to  inquiries  for  answer  to  this.) 

In  connection  with  this  last  inquiry,  it  will  be  important  to  ascertain  what  origi- 
nal official  certification  will  be  required  to  enable  consuls  to  pass  upon  the  eligibility 
of  the  intending  emigrant,  whether  detection  of  contract  laborers  and  crLminals  will 
be  materially  improved,  and  to  what  extent,  if  any,  the  laws  governing  military  serv- 
ice would  prevent  immigration  of  those  within  the  military  age  by  any  system  of 
consular  inspection. 

5.  Is  emigration  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation;  and,  if  so,  what 
classes  in  respect  of  age  and  condition  are  affected? 

(See  close  of  reply  to  inquiries  for  answer  to  this.) 

6.  What  disposilion  is  made  of  alien  criminals  or  paupers?  Are  they  returned  to 
the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance,  or  sent  across  the  border;  and,  if  so,  what 
are  the  substantial  features  of  the  laws  or  regulations  governing  their  disposal? 

Answer.  Only  in  the  most  desperate  cases  are  alien  criminals  sent  to  the  frontier. 
Ordinarily  alien  criminals  are  treated  like  the  native  criminals.  I  don't  know  the 
law  governing  their  disposal. 

7.  Please  furnish  also  the  substantial  features  of  laws  regulating  emigration  or  im- 
migration, if  any,  in  the  country  where  you  are  stationed. 

Answer.  Don't  think  there  is  any;  if  there  is,  am  unacquainted  with  it. 

8.  Do  you  know  of  any  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  divert  innnigration 
from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  immigrants  alleged  to  be  ex- 
cluded from  their  own  country  ? 

Answer.  There  is  certainly  none  in  this  district. 

9.  Do  you  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restricting  emi- 
gration, on  which  the  government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  would  be  likely 
to  cooj^erate  with  the  United  States? 

Answer.  No ;  not  necessary,  in  my  opinion,  so  far  as  this  consular  district  is  con- 
cerned. 

(a)  On  what  points  do  you  think  such  co-operation  Avould  be  to  the  int^erest  of  the 
United  States? 

(&)  On  what  points,  if  any,  do  you  think  the  interests  of  the  United  States  and 
the  government  of  the  counti^  in  which  you  live,  clash  in  the  matter  of  emigra:^ionf 

P.  S. — This  information  will  be  treated  as  confidential  as  far  as  possible. 

General  answer. — So  far  as  this  consular  district  is  concerned,  it  is  not,  in  my 
opinion,  necessary  to  endeavor  to  "apply  an  effective  system  of  examination  of  in- 
tending emigrant's."  The  class  of  emigrants  to  the  United  States  from  this  consular 
district  is  desirable.  They  are  few,  but  they  make  good,  toiling  citizens.  They  are 
chiefly  growers  and  cultivators  of  the  ''champagne"  grape  vines,  and  they  emi- 
grate chiefly  to  California  to  engage  in  the  same  labor  there. 

I  do  not  believe  that  emigration  is  either  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regu- 
lation. A  French  male  subject  of  less  than  20  years  of  age  desiring  to  leave  France 
must  notify  the  authorities  as  to  expected  destination,  and  must  also  return  to 
France  when  20  years  of  age  to  perform  at  least  three  years'  military  service,  and 
failing  to  return 'at  that  time,  is  considered  as  a  deserter  from  the  French  army. 
According  to  French  law,  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  every  male  subject  of  France  between 
the  ages  of  20  and  45  years  must  perform,  commencing  at  the  age  of  20,  at  least 
three  years'  military  service,  and  after  having  ser^-ed  that  three  years'  term  he  nmst 
perform  a  certain  number  of  days  of  military  service  each  year  until  he  attains  the 
age  of  45.  The  number  of  days  of  service  for  the  first  and  second  years,  after  lia\  i no- 
served  the  three  years'  term,' is  twenty-eight  days  in  each  year,  and  after  that  the 
number  of  days'  military  service  required  of  each  French  male  subject  diminishes 


ENFORCEI^IENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     87 

eacli  year  or  so  as  said  subject  groTvs  older  until  he  reaches  the  age  of  45,  when  he 
is  exempt  from  military  service  altogether,  except  in  case  of  actual  war.     Should  he 
fail  to  respond  to  any  of  the  requirements  of  the  French  law  on  this  subject  at  any 
time  up  to  the  age  of  45,  when  he  is  exempt,  he  is  considered  a  deserter. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

Altox  AxCtIER, 
United  States  Consul,  Bheims,  France. 
Consulate  of  the  United  States, 

Eheims,  France,  July  21,  1891, 


CONSUL  MEBEITT,  CHEMNITZ, 

St 

Chemnitz,  July  30,  1891, 
Jolm  B.  Weher,  esq.,  et  al.,  Memlers  Special  Commission,  U.  S.  Treasury  Department: 

Gentlemen  :  Referring  to  your  circular  of  July  21,  1891,  I  have  to  submit  the  fol- 
lowing replies : 
-     1.  Not  at  all. 

2.  Not  at  all. 

3.  Unheard  of  in  this  district. 

4.  A  measure  of  the  greatest  value.  An  examination  of  persons  intending  to  emi- 
grate from  Germany  into  the  United  State  could  be  made  very  effective.  Cost  of 
such  examination  would  not  fall  on  the  United  States  Government.  It  would  be 
paid  by  the  emigrant  and  would  be  nominal.  From  the  Standesamt  the  would-be 
emigrant  could  get  a  complete  history  of  his  birth,  baptism,  etc.,  and  from  the 
police  authorities  a  certificate  of  his  character.  Submitted  to  a  consul  these  two 
documents  would  be  a  good  foundation  for  a  personal  examination  of  the  party  pre- 
senting them,  with  regard  to  contract  labor.  Criminality  would  disclose  itself  in 
the  police  certificate.  The  Standesamt  certificate  would  disclose  whether  a  male 
was  within  the  age  of  military  duty.. 

5.  Emigration  is  not  directly  hindered,  but  it  is  not  looked  upon  with  favor  and 
stringent  laws  against  soliciting  emigration  have  been  enacted.  This  applies  with- 
out class  distinction. 

6.  Returned  when  possible. 

7.  I  can  get  this  only  by  paying  well  for  it.  Guesswork  or  unofficial  opinions 
might  mislead  you.  If  you  desire  to  have  this  officially  in  text,  translation,  and 
judicial  construction,  from  me,  write  to  that  effect  and  your  orders  will  be  carefully 
attended  to. 

8.  No. 

9.  No. 

(a)  On  no  point  whatever. 

(&)  Emigrants  froui  this  section  of  the  country  would  (under  consular  supervision 
here  and  your  supervision  in  the  United  States)  be  a  gain  to  the  United  States  and 
hence  a  loss  to  Saxony.  That  is  where  the  clash  is.  The  people  here  are  for  the 
most  part  industrious,  thrifty,  honest,  Christian  poor  people.  They  can  all  read  and 
write  and  would  make  law-abiding,  worthy,  and  desirable  citizens  of  the  United 
States. 

Any  special  information  which  may  be  of  value  to  you  concerning  this  consular 
district  which  I  can  get  for  you  will  be  gladly  furnished  if  you  communicate  youi- 
wishes  to  me. 

Very  respectfully, 

H.  F.  Merritt. 


HUDBEBSFIELD . 

Commercial  Agency  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

HUDDERSFIELD,  August  13,  1891. 
Sir:  I  regret  that  I  find  myself  unable  to  send  you  anything  like  a  comprehensive 
reply  to  your  circular  letter,  dated  at  London  July  21.  This  district  is  the  center  of 
a  very  large  industrial  population  whose  lives  and  habits  are  so  closely  connected 
with  factory  interests  that  they  may  be  said  to  stand  or  fall  together.  There  are, 
under  ordinary  conditions,  ample  means  of  emj)loyment  to  maintain  the  people  in  a 


88      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

fairly  comfortable  and  contented  state.  It  is  natural  to  expect  therefore  that  they 
are  a  stay-at-home  people,  where  the  canses  which  in  other  sections  of  Great  Britain 
tend  to  encourage,  or  rather  to  enforce,  emigration  are  conspicuously  wanting.  I  be- 
lieve that  in  some  of  the  adjoining  districts  labor  troubles  arising  from  business  de- 
pression have  started  emigration  on  a  limited  scale.  This  movement  is,  however, 
coniined  to  skilled  operatives  in  the  plush,  woolen,  and  worsted  trades. 

So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn,  this  movement  was  encouraged  by  a  demand 
from  American  factories  and  by  the  prospect  of  an  additional  demand  from  others 
now  in  course  of  erection  there.  No  instance  of  ''contract  labor"  has  yet  come  un- 
der ray  notice,  and  I  may  be  permitted  to  add  the  moment  one  does  it  will  be 
promptly  reported  to  the  Treasury  through  the  State  Department. 

As  regards  questions  1  and  3  relating  to  the  manipulation  of  a  certain  class  of  emi- 
grants by  steamship  companies  and  Government  agencies  I  mignt  mention  that  a 
notorious  system  was  In  operation  in  Ireland  a  few  years  ago,  which  threatened  to 
depopulate  some  sections  of  the  country  in  the  interest  of  a  singularly  cruel  com- 
bination of  landlordism  and  jiolitics.  I  witnessed  in  the  public  square  in  the  town 
of  Galway  one  of  the  saddest  scenes  of  my  travels  through  that  country — crowds  of 
emigrants,  driven  like  cattle  from  their  homes  in  the  wild  districts  of  Comnemara, 
waiting  for  the  Government  agent  to  hurry  them  aboard  a  tender  for  an  Allan  line 
steamer  that  was  waiting  in  the  bay  to  take  them,  they  kuew  not  whither.  Not 
one  in  the  group  I  spoke  to  could  speak  a  word  of  English  and  not  one  in  the  whole 
crowd  had  money  enough  to  pay  his  own  passage.  They  were  a  fine  able-bodied  set 
of  fellows,  the  types  of  a  hardy  though  crude  race  whose  bone  and  sinew  so  largely 
contribute  to  the  development  of  new  territory  and  the  employment  of  its  re- 
sources. I  could  not  but  feel  deeply  impressed  by  the  circumstances  under  which 
the  unfortunate  fellows  were  about  to  be  hustled  away  from  their  native  shore  into 
the  hold  of  an  emigrant  ship.  This  system  was  then  in  operation,  and  publicly  kuQwn 
throughout  the  country.  The  change  of  sentiment  on  this  subject  in  the  tJnited 
States  may  have  since  driven  it  beneath  the  surface  where  a  well-directed  effort  may 
find  it  to-day.  These  men  represented  a  distinct  class  of  emigrants  that  no  neiv 
country  could  object  to.  But  what  of  the  countless  thousands  who  have  been  re- 
cruited from  the  j)oorhouse  and  the  jails  under  the  same  system?  The  poor-law 
boards  throughout  Ireland  can  furnish  interesting  statistics  on  this  point,  while  the 
administration  of  the  Irish  end  of  the  English  Government  from  1848  down  opens  up 
to  you  and  your  honorable  colleagues  on  the  commission  a  rich  territory  on  the  sub- 
ject of  emigration,  the  causes  and  the  methods  connected  with  it.  If  there's  any- 
thing I  can  do  to  assist  you  I  assure  you  you  can  command  me,  while  I  wish  you 
every  success  imaginable  when  you  enter  to  explore  it. 

I  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  bring  emigration  within 
the  scope  of  consular  regulations.  Such  a  plan,  I  think,  would  have  the  effect  of 
assisting  inspection  on  the  other  side,  while  relieving  it  on  this  side  of  some  of  its 
worst  features.  For  the  formulation  of  such  a  plan  I  resijectfully  refer  you  to  older 
and  wiser  heads  in  the  service  than  mine. 
Very  truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

William  P.  Smyth. 

Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  United  States  Treasury  Commission. 


CONSUL  DIEDERICH,  OF  LEIPSIC. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Leipsic,  August  £9,  1S91. 
To  tlie  Commission  of  Immigration : 
Gentlemen:  I  have  the  honor  to  reply  to  your  circular  letter  as  follows: 

1.  The  ex-migration  from  the  kingdom  of  Saxony  has  been  very  light,  as  the 
statistics  will  show.  This  country  is  a  vast  hive  of  industry,  and  has  been,  uutil 
recently,  the  most  flourishing  part  of  Germany.  Its  skilled  mechanics  and  laborers 
are  very  intelligent,  and  very  much  attached  to  their  native  soil.  However,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  recent  tariff  legislation  in  the  United  States,  it  is  expected  that  a 
large  number  of  these  people  will  be  compelled  to  leave  for  other  shores,  and  partic- 
ularly for  America. 

2.  I  know  of  no  criminals'  aid  society,  nor  have  I  ever  learned  of  a  case  where 
local  authorities  ''railroaded"  some  poor  cripple  or  diseased  person  over  to, our 
country  to  get  rid  of  the  burden.  But  a  number  of  cases  have  come  to  my  notice; 
where  an  entire  family  had  contributed  to  get  rid  of  a  "^lack  sheep,"  and  to  savej 
themselves  from  the  disgrace. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     89 

3.  That  a  consular  inspectioQ  or  "control"  of  emigrauts  before  tliey  leave  their 
homes  is  necessary  seems  too  apparent  for  argument.  It  ought  not  only  be  made 
utterly  difficult  for  undesirable  foreigners  to  land  on  our  shores,  but  it  ought  to  be  made 
equally  difficult  for  them  to  get  started  on  their  way  to  the  United  States.  I  am  of 
opinion  that  a  United  States  consul,  fully  familiar  with  the  language  and  customs 
of  the  country  to  which  be  is  accredited,  will  be  able  to  satisfy  himself  who  should 
and  who  should  not  be  permitted  to  go  in  every  case  where  his  suspicion  may  be 
aroused.  There  are  many  means  that  he  could  employ,  such  as  the  certificate  of 
baptism,  of  marriage,  the  rej)orts  of  service  done,  the  records  of  the  police,  etc.,  etc. 
A  bill  of  health  issued  by  a  reputable  physician  should  also  be  demanded  at  the 
discretion  of  the  consul. 

4.  I  suggest  that  one  such  office  of  inspection  would  be  sufficient  for  the  Kingdom 
of  Saxony.  The  territory  is  so  small  that  such  an  arrangement  could  be  easily 
made.  There  are  five  United  States  consuls  in  this  Kingdom,  and  it  would  be  im- 
practicable to  furnish  each  one  with  the  necessary  clerical  help  to  attend  to  this  new 
work;  whereas  if  this  work  were  concentrated  at  one  place  it  could  be  done  by  one 
or,  at  the  most,  by  two  clerks  under  the  supervision  of  the  consul.  Leipzig  would  be 
a  good  place  to  select  for  this  puri)ose,  but  others,  e.  g.,  Dresden,  would  also  do. 
Leipzig  is  the  largest  city,  and  is  an  important  point  in  the  business  of  emigration, 
which  may  be  seen  from  the  fact  that  both  the  North  German  Lloyd  and  the  Hamburg 
Steamship  Companies  have  general  agencies  established  here.  All  Thuringia,  con- 
sisting of  many  smaller  principalities,  could  also  easily  be  taken  care  of  from  this 
point. 

If  there  is  anything  in  particular  that  1  can  find  out  for  you,  please  command  me. 
Most  respectfully,  yours, 

Henry  W.  Diederich, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  BLAKE,  CREFELD. 

Consulate  op  the  United  States, 

Crefdd,  August  18,  1891. 
Jno.  B.  Weber,  Esq. : 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  your  circular  of  date  July  21,  1891,  I  have  the  honor  to 
make  the  following  report : 

Question  1.  The  extent  to  which  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by 
steamship  or  other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resulting  passenger 
business. 

Answer  1.  So  far  as  lam  able  to  learn  there  are  no  agents  in  this  district  to  encour- 
age emigration  to  the  United  States. 

Question  2.  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged  openly  or  covertly 
for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies  and  for  what  classes  of 
employment  ? 

Answer  2.  I  have  been  informed  that  a  few  experts  in  weaving  have  gone  to 
America  for  the  purpose  of  bettering  their  condition,  but  I  am  informed  that  they 
were  not  under  contract. 

Question  3.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  de- 
fectives, paupers,  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge,  and  persons  afflicted 
with  loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious  diseases,  are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emi- 
grate to  the  United  States  in  violation  of  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  en- 
couragement is  furnished  systematically  or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives, 
societies,  committees,  or  Government  authorities? 

Answer  3.  I  am  credibly  informed  that  criminals,  insane  persons,  etc.,  are  not 
aided  or  encouraged  to  emigrate  to  America. 

Question  4.  Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  efi'ective  sys- 
tem of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls,  or  officers  under 
their  direction,  together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if 
adopted,  etc. 

Answer  4.  I  would  think  it  advisable  to  adoj)t  an  effective  system  of  examination 
of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls.  I  believe  all  emigrants  wishing  to 
emigrate  to  America  should  obtain  from  the  consul  in  which  district  he  is  a  resident, 
a  certificate  as  to  eligibility,  either  as  a  contract  laborer  or  criminal,  etc.  In  this 
connection  I  would  say  that  a  small  fee  ought  to  be  paid  by  the  applicant  for  such 
certificate. 

Question  5.  Is  emigration  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation,  and  if  so, 
what  classes  in  respect  of  age  and  condition  are  affected? 


90      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

Answer  5.  Emigration  is  not  enconraged  by  the  German  laws.  All  persons  between 
the  ages  19  and  25  years  are  prohibited  from  emigrating  without  tirst  having  the 
proper  permit  from  a  Government  official. 

Question  6.  What  disposition  is  made  of  alien  criminals  or  paupers f  Are  they  re- 
turned to  the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance,  or  sent  across  the  border,  and 
if  so,  what  are  the  substantial  features  of  the  laws  or  regulation  governing  their 
disposal?  ^ 

Answer  6.  Criminals  are  returned  to  the  country  where  the  crime  was  committed 
upon  the  proper  requisition  under  treaty  regulations. 

Question  7.  Please  furnish  the  substantial  features  of  laws  regulating  emigration 
or  immigration,  if  any,  in  tlie  country  where  you  are  stationed. 

Answer  7.  Emigration  is  recognized  by  the  Prussian  laws,  except  to  those  liable 
for  military  duty,  and  ;also  to  reservist  (minute-man),  landwehrman  (man  of  sec- 
ond levy),  and  beurlaubt  (leave  of  absence)  if  they  are  in  actual  service. 

Question  8.  Do  yoa  know  of  any  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  divert  im- 
migration from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  emigrants  alleged  to 
be  excluded  from  their  own  country  ? 

AnsAver  8.  I  do  not. 

Question  9.  Do  you  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restrict- 
ing emigration,  on  which  the  Government  of  the  countrj^  in  which  you  live  would 
be  likely  to  cooperate  with  the  United  States^  etc.  I 

Answer  9.  I  do  not. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

EvAJs^s  Blake, 

United  States  Consul, 


CONSUL  BLACK,  NUREMBEEa. 

United  States  Consulate, 
Nuremberg,  Bavaria,  October  2,  1891. 
Hon.  Jno.  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  United  States  Special  Commission,  Treasury  Department, 
(Care  United  States  Consulate,  Bremen) : 

Sir  :  In  answer  so  some  of  the  queries  of  your  commission  I  would  say  that  I 
have  been  informed  that  the  German  steamship  lines  have  each  one  general  agent  in 
Bavaria,  and  that  they  each  have  under  their  charge  a  number  of  snbagents  located 
in  the  various  cities,  towns,  and  villages  of  the  Kingdom.  These  siibagents  are  not 
allowed  to  solicit  orders  for  tickets,  this  being  prohibited  by  the  Government,  from 
whom  also  they  must  obtain  a  license  to  act  in  this  capacity.  All  the  advertising, 
even  in  the  village  papers,  is  regulated  and  ordered  directly  from  the  steamship 
company's  bureau  of  advertising  in  either  Bremen  or  Hamburg.  The  subagent's 
commission  for  the  sale  of  a  ticket  is  about  8  per  cent. 

I  think  it  would  be  practicable  and  effective  to  adopt  a  system  of  control  by 
American  consuls  of  emigrants  intending  to  go  to  our  country.  I  would  suggest 
that  every  emigrant  be  required  to  obtain  in  triplicate  a  certificate  from  the  proper 
official  of  his  Government  setting  forth  his  full  history — as  to  his  occupation,  the 
means  of  which  he  may  be  possessed,  whether  at  any  time  he  has  been  a  burden  upon 
others  or  upon  the  state,  whether  he  has  been  a  good  subject  or  whether  he  is  now 
or  bas  ever  been  guilty  of  crime  or  subject  to  police  surveillance — and  this  to  apply 
not  only  to  the  head  of  the  family  but  to  each  member  thereof.  My  experience 
leads  me  to  believe  that  all  the  above  is  easily  obtainable  from  an  official  source 
in  this  country. 

The  emigrant  should  also  be  required  to  sign  a  declaration  before  the  consul  that 
it  is  his  intention  to  go  to  the  United  States,  that  he  intends  to  sail  from  a  certain 
port  in  Europe,  and  that  he  intends  to  land  at  a  certain  port  in  the  United  States. 
This  declaration  should  be  properly  attached  to  the  certificate  of  the  foreign  official 
and  authenticated  by  the  consul,  to  which  he  should  attach  his  consular  seal;  one 
of  the  triplicates  should  be  filed  in  the  consulate,  one  sent  to  the  collector  of  cus- 
toms or  commissioner  of  immigration  at  the  port  where  the  emigrant  proposes  to 
land,  and  the  other  ^ould  be  given  to  the  emigrant  at  his  identification  when  he 
arrives  in  our  country,  and  should  then  be  taken  from  him. 

I  also  think  that  a  substantial  fee  should  be  charged  by  the  consul  for  his  authen- 
tication, and  that  this  fee  should  be  considered  an  official  fee  to  be  accounted  for  to 
the  Treasury  Department. 

The  time  you  have  given  me  to  gather  the  other  information  you  desire  has  been 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     91 

80  short  tliat  I  liave  been  unable  to  obtain  any  satisfactory  statistics,  but  if  you  will 
send  me  your  address  in  Washington,  I  \yill  endeavor  to  get  them  and  forward  them 
to  you  at  a  later  date. 

I  am,  sir^  your  obedient  servant, 

Wm.  J.  Black, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  LATHEOP,  BRISTOL. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Bristol,  July  27,  1891. 
To  file  Special  Commission,  Bremen: 

SiKS :  In  answer  to  your  printed  communication  I  present  facts  and  suggestions  as 
follows : 

1.  Emigration  is  not  greatly  encouraged  by  agents  or  ocoan  carriers  within  the 
consular  district  of  Bristol.  Every  town  and  village  has,  no  doubt,  its  United  States 
agent,  whose  principal  business  would  be  to  sell  steerage  tickets,  but  there  is  no  or- 
ganized energetic  attempt  on  the  part  of  anybody  to  encourage  emigration. 

2.  Contract  laborers  have  not  been  engaged  in  this  district  since  the  law  has  been 
in  operntion,  there  is  reason  to  believe.  Probably  in  times  past  the  village  or  town 
of  Trowbridge,  in  Wilts,  furnished  some  operatives  in  woolen  textile  fabrics  to  New 
England  mills,  and  there  is  some  emigrating  from  there  now,  but  it  is  not  likely  that 
those  who  leave  for  America  have  any  other  encouragement  from  their  friends  and 
relatives  who  have  preceded  them,  than  information  that  work  is  steady  and  that 
wages  are  good. 

3.  No  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  paupers,  or  diseased  persons  are  systemat- 
ically sent  by  societies,  committees,  or  Government  authorities.  It  may  happen  that 
relatives  may  sometimes  ship  off  a  ne'er-do-well,  but  it  is  impossible  to  maintain 
effective  supervision  over  such  a  class  of  cases. 

4.  It  would  be  practicable  within  the  limits  of  this  consular  district,  and  in  Eng- 
land, Scotland,  and  Ireland,  to  maintain  an  effective  system  of  examination  of  in- 
tending emigrants  by  American  consuls.  I  am  unable  to  say  how  far  the  following 
conditions  obtain  in  other  countries,  or  how  far  the  plan  here  outlined  would  be  of 
general  application.  The  scheme  rests  upon  two  bases :  One  is  that  most  of  the  con- 
Biderable  towns  of  the  United  Kingdom  have  an  American  consular  representative; 
and  the  other  is,  that  the  lives  of  most  country  dwellers  are  familiar  to  neighbors  of 
standing  and  public  position.  There  is  thus  provided  adequate  means  of  easily  and 
cheaply  certifying  to  certain  facts.  It  is  presumed  that  a  bill  providing  for  a  system 
of  consular  insi)ection  would  explicitly  frame  certain  conditions,  as  essential  to  au 
intending  emigrant.  Now  a  certificate  stating  whether  an  intending  emigrant  was 
eligible  might,  in  the  case  of  British  country  dwellers,  be  obtained  by  the  emigrant 
either  from  a  magistrate  or  a  clergyman.  This  certificate  would  probably  be  pre- 
sented in  its  form  by  the  statute,  and  would  be  to  a  large  extent  a  series  of  negations, 
viz,  that  John  Doe  had  never  been  in  receipt  of  parish  relief;  that  he  had  never  been 
convicted  of  certain  offenses,  etc.,  and  it  is  obvious  that  a  certificate  made  up  of  half  a 
dozen  or  a  dozen  such  questions  pretty  well  exploits  the  character  of  a  man.  The 
certificate  from  an  url)an  dweller  would  necessarily  proceed  from  more  numerous 
classes  of  people.  It  might  be  signed  by  a  magistrate  or  a  clergyman,  but  the  emigrant 
might. know  neither;  but  if  he  could  not  produce  a  certificate,  signed  by  somebody 
of  some  repute  in  the  community,  it  would  be  prima  facie  evidence  of  his  unfitness. 
The  consul  should  then  certify  the  signatures  and  official  position,  if  any,  of  the  sign- 
ers' certificates.  Without  this  forgery  were  a  simple  matter.  One  certificate  should 
include  all  females  and  all  minor  males  of  a  family.  A  fee  of  2  shillings  (say  .50  cents) 
for  each  certificate  would  be  an  adequate  compromise  between  the  comparative  pov- 
erty of  the  emigrant  and  the  work  of  the  consul.  The  latter  would  sometimes  have 
to  ''look  up''  a  reference,  especially  in  the  city,  as  the  name  of  the  signer  of  the 
certificate  would  be  unknown  to  him.  For  country  cases  he  has  the  list  of  magis- 
trates and  the  clergy  list,  and  if  not  already  acquainted  with  the  signatures  becomes 
in  a  short  time  familiar  with  them.  That  such  a  system  as  is  above  outlined  would 
work  well  in  the  United  Kingdom  I  have  no  doubt.  I  am  also  of  the  opinion  that 
such  a  system  would,  so  far  at  any  rate  as  my  own  district  is  concerned,  prevent  con- 
tract-labor emigration.  An  emigrant  presenting  a  certificate  for  indorsement  at  this 
consulate  iiom  a  manufacturing  place  would  immediately  put  me  upon  inquiry.  A 
man  from  Wellington,  in  Somerset,  or  Trowbridge,  in  Wilts,  or  Stroud  in  Gloucester, 
would  probably  be  an  operative,  and  might  have  made  a  contract,  and  is  therefore 


92      ENFORCEMENT  (;>¥   ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

to  be  questioned.  But  an  agricultural  laborer,  or  a  printer,  is  not  likely  to  be  at- 
tempting, consciously  or  unconsciously,  an  evasion  of  our  laws,  etc.  Criminals  could 
only,  with  the  utmost  difficulty,  evade  such  difficulties  as  would  be  presented  to  them 
by  the  above  scheme.     There  is,  of  course,  no  British  compulsory  military  service-. 

5.  The  law  does  not  help  emigration  in  England. 

6.  Alien  criminals  and  j^aupers  are  confined  in  the  one  case,  and  fed  and  housed  in 
the  other,  without  regard  to  nationality.        ^ 

7.  Doubtless  the  commission  will  receive  full  information  as  to  the  London  emi- 
gration bureau  from  the  consul-general,  and  the  workings  of  this  bureau  represent 
prettv  much  all  the  British  legislation  upon  the  subject. 

8.  No. 

9.  The  matter  is  not  one  upon  which  it  is  at  all  likely  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain  could  formulate  a  mutually  satisfactory  treaty;  not  that  interests  are  spe- 
cially diverse,  but  that  questions  of  such  delicacy  would  arise  that  more  harm  than 
good  would  ensue. 

The  above  replies  are  respectfully  submitted. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  gentlemen,  your  obedient  servant, 

LoKLN  H.  Lathrop, 
•  Consul. 


CONSUL  BRUCE,  EBINBURG. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Edinlurg,  September  7,  1891. 
Hon.  John  B,  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  Treasury  Department, 

(Care  of  United  States  Consulate,  Bremen): 
Sir:  Your  circular  relating  to  emigration  from  this  consular  district  reached  the 
consulate  during  my  leave  of  absence  to  Germany.     I  have  given  the  matter  atten- 
tion since  my  return,  and  submit  the  following  answers  to  the  questions,  viz: 

1.  There  is  no  special  promotion  of  emigration  to  the  United  States  by  the  British 
steamship  or  other  carrying  companies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resulting  passenger 
business.  Handbooks  of  information  issued  by  railroad  companies  and  laud  agents 
of  various  States,  Territories,  and  British  colonies,  are  distributed  to  prospective  emi- 
grants and  others  by  shipping  agents.  There  is  no  monetary  aid  given  to  promote 
such  emigration. 

2.  So  far  as  known,  there  are  no  contract  laborers  engaged  in  this  district  for  ex- 
portation to  the  United  States. 

3.  Criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives  are  not  encouraged  or 
aided  to  emigrate  to  the  United  States.  On  account  of  the  immigration  laws  of  the 
United  States,  steamship  companies  give  strict  injunctions  to  their  agents  regarding 
the  persons  to  whom  they  sell  passages. 

4.  As  the  emigration  from  this  country  arises  solely  from  personal  enterprise,  a 
system  of  examination  would  not  appear  to  be  necessary  beyond  the  natural  restric- 
tion of  the  immigration  laws.  A  list  of  questions  as  to  health  similar  to  those  given 
by  life  insurance  companies  in  America  might  be  submitted,  and  the  character  of 
the  individual  uiight  be  ascertained  through  respectable  acquaintances.  There  need 
be  no  expense  to  the  Government  if  the  intending  emigrant  declared  to  facts  relative 
to  himself  on  oath  and  the  fee  for  same  was  regarded  as  unofficial.  There  are  no  re- 
strictions in  Great  Britain  on  the  ground  of  military  service.  It  is  probable  that  the 
detection  of  contract  laborers,  criminals,  etc.,  would  be  improved.  A  certificate  of 
two  well-known  citizens,  respectable  as  to  character,  should  accompany  each  appli- 
cation. 

5.  Emigration  is  not  hiudered  by  law  or  regulation  in  this  country.  It  is  abso- 
lutely free,  and  is  only  encouraged  in  such  a  manner  as  set  forth  in  the  '^Emigration 
Statutes  and  General  Handbook"  sent  herewith  ;  ^"irft'page  27  for  emigration  statutes 
and  information  relating  to  Scotland. 

6.  No  disposition  is  made  of  alien  criminals  or  paupers.  They  are  not  returned  to 
their  own  country.  An  alien  pauper  becomes  a  charge  on  the  parish  within  which 
he  is  compelled  to  claim  relief. 

7.  There  are  no  laws  regulating  immigration  in  Scotland.  The  laws  aftecting 
emigration  are  set  forth  in  the  accompanying  pamphlet  above  referred  to,  entitled 
''Emigration  Statutes  and  General  Handliook." 

8.  No. 

9.  No.  The  principal  promotion  of  emigration  in  this  country  is  toward  British 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     93 

colonies,  not  toward  the  United  States  j  and  it  is  known  that  free  voyages  are  given 
to  induce  emigration  to  Queensland. 

In  addition  to  the  pamphlet  entitled  '^Emigration  Statutes  and  General  Hand- 
book," referred  to  in  fifth  and  seventh  answers,  I  also  transmit  two  other  pamphlets 
which  may  afford  general  information  on  the  subject. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  yours  respectfully, 

Wallace  Bruce, 
•  United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  PABTELLO,  BUSSELDOBF. 

Ukited  States  Consulate, 

Dusseldorf,  October  6,  1891. 
Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  United  States  Treasury  Department,  London: 

Dear  Sir:  Your  confidential  circular  of  July  21  in  regard  to  emigration,  and  con- 
taining a  number  of  questions  you  request  answered,  has  been  received,  and  reply 
delayed  on  account  of  press  of  business  in  this  oflice.  Even  now  I  have  not  much 
time  to  devote  to  the  answers,  but  give  you  such  information  as  I  can  in  a  brief  con- 
densed manner.     Answers  to  the  questions  in  order  as  submitted : 

No.  1.  Emigration  is  not  specially  promoted  or  encouraged  in  this  city;  the  central 
point  on  the  Rhine  is  at  Cologne,  where  regular  agencies  and  emigrant  boarding  houses 
are  maintained.  In  this  city  two  of  the  steamship  companies  have  agencies  for  the 
sale  of  emigrant  tickets  but  aside  from  the  energy  on  the  part  of  the  ticket-seller  to 
make  his  fees  no  special  encouragement  is  given. 

No.  2.  Difficult  to  answer.  I  think  contract  labor  in  the  line  of  iron  and  steel  workers, 
machinists  and  specially  skilled  factory  hands  are  continually  sent  to  our  country, 
but  as  they  know  well  the  law  it  is  done  in  a  quiet  manner.  I  know  of  one  recent  case 
where  a  San  Francisco  sugar  firm  sent  to  this  district  for  skilled  men  to  operate  a 
sugar  refinery  on  the  Pacific  coast. 

No.  3.  Done  in  a  quiet  way,  but  unless  the  matter  was  thoroughly  examined  into, 
facts  can  not  be  given;  objectionable  persons  are  gotten  rid  of  by  giving  them  a 
small  amount  of  money  (equal  to  steerage  passage)  and  told  to  quit  the  place. 
Naturally  they  go  direct  to  the  seacoast,  and  in  that  way  the  United  States  receives 
a  great  number  of  paupers  and  criminals. 

No.  4.  By  all  means  every  emigrant  should  be  required  to  produce  a  certificate 
from  an  American  consul  before  being  allowed  to  land  in  the  States,  it  would  in  a 
great  measure  correct  the  evil  and  prevent  the  lauding  of  persons  not  desirable. 
The  cost  could  be  met  by  a  fee  of  4  marks,  charged  to  the  proposed  emigrant,  and 
the  consul  allowed  to  retain  the  same  to  cover  expenses  of  examination,  medical  and 
otherwise.  It  would  give  a  small  allowance  extra  to  the  consul,  but  no  more  than 
enough  to  compensate  for  the  extra  duty  he  would  have,  to  perform.  In  regard  to 
the  second  part  of  the  inquiry,  allow  a  board  of  consular  officers,  presided  over  by 
the  consul-general,  to  decide  and  regulate  matters  of  detail. 

No.  5.  Emigration  is  not  encouraged  in  Germany  by  law  or  regulations  of  the  num- 
ber that  go  to  our  country  90  per  cent  belong  to  the  lower  classes — many  at  the  solici- 
tation of  friends  and  relatives  in  the  States — others  to  improve  their  condition,  and  a 
limited  number  to  escape  military  service. 

Nos.  6  and  7.  I  do  not  know.  The  office  work  will  not  allQW  me  the  time  to  look 
up  the  matter. 

No.  8.  I  do  not. 

No.  9.  The  German  Government  is  very  independent  upon  all  such  matters,  and,  I 
think,  would  cooperate  to  a  limited  degree  only.  They  are  very  glad  to  get  rid  of 
objectionable  characters,  and  are  not  displeased  at  their  going  to  the  States,  as  it 
removes  them  a  long  distance  from  the  country,  and  in  many  quiet  ways  this  is  en- 
couraged. There  is  no  doubt  but  that  our  population  is  added  to  yearly  by  a  very 
undesirable  class  of  immigrants,  and  the  time  has  come  when  it  becomes  a  matter  of 
absolute  necessity  that  the  Government  of  the  United  States  by  strict  rules,  regula- 
tions, and  forms  of  examination,  by  both  consular  officers  and  officers  of  our  Govern- 
ment at  the  ports  of  entry,  should  prevent  the  landing  upon  our  shores  of  undesirable 
persons. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  J.  Partello, 
,  Consul, 


94  ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT   LABOR   LAWS. 


United  States  Consulate, 

Milan,  July  29,  1891. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  answer  to  your  circulaiuj  have  tlie  honor  to  submit  the  folloTv  iug 
Information  relating  to  emigration  from  this  Consular  district  in  Italy. 

There  are  not  at  present  any  steamships  running  directly  or  indirectly  from  Milan 
to  the  United  States.  There  never  has  been  any  aid  given  here  by  steamship  com- 
panies to  emigrants  going  to  our  country. 

There  are  no  contracts  made  in  Lombardy  between  American  employers  and  Italian 
laborers.  Those  who  leave  Lombardy  for  the  United  States  are  chiefly  inhabitants 
of  tlie  mountains,  where  passages  were  paid  by  their  relatives  in  the  United  States. 
It  may  occasionally  happen  that  a  local  community  sends  emigrants  to  the  States,  so 
as  to  be  rid  of  them.  This  is  what  is  called  an  extraordinary  case  and  it  very  seldom 
occurs.  The  authorities  of  Italy  do  all  in  their  power  to  retain  such  unworthy  peo- 
ple at  home.  There  is  no  aid  furnished  to  emigrants,  no  matter  what  their  moral  char- 
acter may  be.  Italy  is  generally  ruled  by  the  richer  class,  who  have  no  interest  in 
emigration,  because  the  greater  the  emigration  the  fewer  the  laborers,  and  conse- 
quently their  wages  would  bo  higher. 

As  to  the  examination  of  intending  emigrants,  I  think  it  would  be  a  practicable 
and  a  beneficial  thing,  and  might  be  carried  out  with  very  little  expense.  Official 
information  could  easily  be  obtained  of  the  moral,  physical,  and  mental  character 
of  emigrants  from  the  clergy,  from  the  mayors,  and  from  the  local  officials.  The 
military  laws  of  Italy  interfere  very  materially  with  persons  leaving  the  country. 
I  also  understand  that  no  head  of  a  family  can  leave  without  the  written  permission 
of  his  wife. 

There  is  no  positive  law  prohibiting  emigration,  but  the  trend  of  all  legislation  is 
againsc  it.  Heads  of  families,  husbands,  are  very  much  hindered  in  many  ways, 
by  the  difficulties  with  which  tlie  authorities  have  surrounded  them.  Soldiers  who 
are  enrolled  in  the  first  category,  that  is  the  five-years'  men,  can  not  possibly  get 
away.  It  is  much  the  same  with  those  who  are  enrolled  in  the  second  category, 
those  who  are  enrolled  for  less  than  five  years.  It  is  almost  impossible  for  criminals 
to  emigrate,  as  they  must  furnish  passports  to  the  police.  Persons  having  no  X)a8s- 
ports  are  liable  to  be  arrested  if  they  attempt  to  leave  the  country.  I  mean,  of 
course,  Italian  subjects.  Criminals  who  reach  here  from  the  United  States  are, 
when  discovered,  inmiediately  arrested.  The  authorities  in  Italy,  I  speak  particu- 
larly of  Lombardy,  have  always  shown  a  commendable  zeal  in  bringing  to  justice 
criminals  who  have  escaped  from  our  country. 

The  tendency  of  legislation  in  Italy  is  to  discourage  emigration  of  persons  who 
have  no  monej'  to  take  their  families  with  them. 

The  people  of  Lombardy  in  the  past  have  emigrated  to  South  America,  but  since 
the  revolution  in  that  country  emigration  is  now  in  the  direction  of  the  United 
States. 

I  do  not  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restricting  emigra- 
tion on  which  our  and  the  Italian  Government  could  cooperate,  except  in  the  points 
to  which  allusion  has  been  made  in  the  foregoing  pages.  I  repeat  that  the  Italian 
authorities  do  not  encourage  emigration.  They  would  likely  be  most  happy  to  co- 
operate with  our  Government  in  restricting  the  emigration  of  their  people.  I  do 
not  know  of  any  point  where  the  two  Governments  clash  in  this  matter. 
I  am,  most  respectfully, 

Geo.  W.  Peffer, 

United  States  Consul. 

Hon.  John  B.  Weber, 
Chairman  of  Committee* 


CONSUL  BUBLEE,  PRAGUE. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

Frayue,  September  26,  1891. 
Hon.  Jno.  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  U.  S.  Treasury  Department : 
(Care  of  United  States  Consulate,  Bremen.) 
Sir:  In  the  expectation  of  obtaining  some  definite  information  in  reference  to  emi- 
gration to  the  United  States  from  Bohemia,  I  have  delayed  hitherto  my  reply  to  your 
circular.     It  has  been  impossible  for  me  to  reach  any  one  here  who  could  or  would 
speak  definitely  on  the  subject,  and  it  seems   that  emigration,  though  it  is  con- 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ATJEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     95 

eiderable,  is  not  placed  under  any  system  or  supervision.  I  visited  the  department 
supposed  to  have  charge  of  emigration  from  Bohemia,  and  had  a  conversation  with 
the  chief  official.  He  requested  me  to  send  him  a  written  statement  of  the  points  I 
wished  to  know  about,  and  in  due  course  of  time  an  answer  would  be  given.  This 
I  did  some  two  months  ago,  but  have  been  unable  to  get  a  reply. 

In  the  course  of  my  conversation  with  the  official  referred  to,  he  practically  stated 
that  there  was  no  check  whatever  on  emigration.  If  a  person  decided  to  leave  Bo- 
hemia no  papers  had  to  be  taken  out  or  permission  received.  A  pretense,  he  said, 
was  made  on  the  frontier  of  examining  all  persons  crossing  and  keeping  a  record  of 
emigrants,  but  he  admitted  that  this  amounted  to  nothing,  and  such  records  were  so 
incomplete  as  to  be  of  no  value. 

In  reply  to  the  questions  in  your  circular  1  submit  the  following  meager  informa- 
tion: 

1.  Steamships  and  carrying  companies  have  agents  scattered  through  the  country, 
but  these  do  not  directly  encourage  emigration  except  by  circulars  giving  days  of 
sailing,  rates  of  fare,  etc. 

2.  The  engaging  of  contract  laborers,  if  done  at  all,  is  done  covertly,  and  no  cases 
are  to  be  heard  of. 

3.  Defectives,  such  as  enumerated,  are  not  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate,  if  the 
Government  officials,  steamship  ageuts,  and  other  accessible  authorities  are  to  be 
believed. 

4.  A  system  of  examination  by  American  consuls  appears  to  me  to  be  the  only 
practical  method  of  getting  at  real  facts  about  emigration.  By  exacting  a  consular 
certificate  from  emigrants  they  must  prove  to  the  consul's  satisfaction  tha<t  they  are 
desirable,  and  this  system  ought  to  place  a  most  effective  check  on  classes  not 
wanted.  The  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  in  this  consular  district,  where  the 
emigration  is  large,  would  seem  to  be  that  involved  by  the  appointment  of  an  extra 
clerk.  As  to  original  official  certification,  a  document  with  the  seal  and  signature 
of  the  district  court,  or  chief  magistrate  of  the  locality  from  which  the  emigrant 
comes  indicating  his  character,  etc.,  would  seem  to  be  sufficient.  This  point  could 
readily  be  decided  according  to  the  requirements  of  the  United  States  law.  Detec- 
tion of  contract  laborers  and  criminals  should  be  greatly  facilitated.  The  laws 
governing  military  service  would  operate  so  as  to  prevent  the  issuance  of  a  certificate 
by  the  local  authorities  to  any  such  intended  emigrants. 

5.  Emigration  is  practically  neither  hindered  nor  encouraged  by  law. 

6.  Alien  criminals  and  paupers  are  sent  across  the  border  as  soon  as  detected. 

7.  Laws  relating  to  emigration  exist,  but  are  so  little,  observed  that  it  would  be 
difficult  to  indicate  features. 

8.  A  movement  to  divert  immigration  from  European  countries  to  America  or  any 
class  of  immigrants  excluded  from  their  own  country,  are  things  unknown  in  Bo- 
hemia. 

9.  Have  endeavored  to  ascertain  from  the  Government,  but  beyond  a  general  assent 
have  so  far  received  no  answer. 

In  conclusion,  I  beg  to  state,  that  should  I  receive  further  information,  as  I  expect 
to,  I  will  communicate  it  at  once. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

William  A.  Rublee, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  GIFFOED,  BASLE, 

Beply  to  circular  of  Special  Commission  of  Treasury  Department 

1.  The  Campagnie  G^n^ral  Transatlantique  runs  special  emigrant  trains  from 
Basle  to  Havre  by  way  of  the  Jura-Simplon  railroad  in  Switzerland  and  the  Chemin 
de  Fer  de  T  Est  in  France.  These  emigrants  are  forwarded  by  the  emigrant  agency 
**  Zwilchenbarfc"  of  Basle,  and  are  provided  with  through  tickets  to  New  York  or 
their  place  of  destination  in  the  United  States.  They  are  collected  from  all  parts 
of  the  country  in  which  the  Agency  Zwilchenbart  has  agencies. 

2.  Contract  laborers  are  not  openly  engaged  for  exportation  to  the  United  States 
since  the  passage  of  the  law  prohibiting  such  immigration.  Formerly  silk- weavers 
and  watchmakers  from  this  district  were  forwarded  in  this  way  to  America,  but 
any  contracts  made  at  present  by  emigrants  are  made  so  secretly,  if  at  all,  that  the 
facts  in  the  case  never  transpire. 

The  laws  of  Switzerland,  made  with  special  reference  to  the  enactments  of  the 
United  States  Congress,  prohibit  the  emigration  of  all  persons  excluded  by  the  laws 
of  the  country  of  their  destination.     The  poorer  communes  as  well  as  individual 


96      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

famiUes  occasionally  attempt  to  evade  tlie  law  and  to  disembarrass  themselves  of  j 
objectionable  residents,  notwithstanding  the  strict    supervision  exercised  by  the  • 
federal  authorities  over  emigrant  agencies  and  the  severe  iines  or  forfeiture  of  their 
license  incurred  by  the  latter  in  case  of  detection.     The  reply  to  interrogatory  7 
gives  more  in  detail  the  provisions  of  the  Swiss  law. 

4.  It  would  be  practicable  at  this  consulate  to  supervise  the  emigration  of  per- 
sons leaving  for  the  UnLted  States,  without  other  cost  than  that  involved  in  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  medical  examiner,  if  it  were  deemed  necessary  to  employ  one.  No 
doubt  one  such  officer  might  serve  for  the  whole  country.  From  such  experience  as 
this  consulate  has  had  it  would  appear  that  official  declarations  in  regard  to  the 
pecuniary  and  moral  standing  of  intended  emigrants  would  be  decidedly  of  more 
value  if  made  by  federal  rather  than  communal  authority.  The  officials  of  most 
towns  and  villages  might  be  relied  upon  to  give  correct  information;  others,  espe- 
cially those  of  the  poor  and  small  communes,  nave  not  always  in  the  past  been  proof, 
against  the  temptation  of  ridding  themselves  of  their  undesirable  citizens.  The  de- 
tection of  criminals  would  be  materially  facilitated  by  any  adequate  system  of  con- 
sular examination.  Such  persons  are  not;  now  knowingly  forwarded  by  emigrant 
agents,  but  arrive  in  the  United  States  singly  as  simj^le  passengers  on  board  Euro- 
pean steamers.  Were  they  obliged  to  present  themselves  persoually  at  the  consu- 
late in  order  to  obtain  the  authorization  to  land  in  the  United  States  they  could  be 
m^Tde  to  prove  a  clean  judicial  record  and  good  moral  character  as  a  condition  pre- 
cedent to  obtaining  the  necessary  papers. 

The  detection  of  contract  laborers  would  be  much  more  diffiult,  as  the  existence 
of  the  contract  is  now  generally  merely  a  matter  of  the  personal  knowledge  of  the 
intended  emigrant,  and  is  not  committed  to  writing. 

The  Swiss  laws  governing  military  service  only  require  that  equipments,  which 
are  the  property  of  the  government,  be  returned  before  leaving  the  country. 

5.  Answered  under  7. 

6.  Foreign  criminals  and  paupers  are  sent  over  the  frontier  by  the  Basle  author- 
ities. Persons  who  are  judicially  pursued  are,  of  course,  arrested  and  held  to  be 
delivered  on  requisition  to  the  proper  authorities  of  the  country  where  the  crime 
Avas  committed. 

7.  The  Swiss  emigration  law  which  went  into  effect  on  the  6th  day  of  July,  1888, 
after  making  minute  and  severe  regulations  in  regard  to  the  appointment  and  super- 
vision of  emigrant  agents,  and  requiring  from  the  latter  a  deposit  of  40,000  francs  as 
security,  prohibits  the  emigration  of  the  following  classes  of  persons: 

Persons  of  advanced  age,  or  those  suffering  from  illness  or  infirmity,  unless  proof 
be  given  that  they  will  be  satisfactorily  cared  for  at  their  place  of  destination. 

Minors  and  persons  under  guardianship  without  the  written  consent,  officially 
authenticated,  of  their  parents  or  guardians.  Minors  under  16  years  of  age  must  be 
accompanied  by  trustworthy  persons,  and, care  must  bo  taken  that  a  proper  situa- 
tion be  provided  for  them  at  the  end  of  their  journey.  Persons  who,  after  the  pay- 
ment of  their  i)assage  money,  will  arrive  at  their  destination  without  resources. 
Persons  whose  immigration  is  forbidden  by  the  country  where  they  are  intending 
to  settle.  Persons  not  in  possession  of  papers  showing  their  origin  and  citizenship. 
Swiss  citizens  subject  to  military  duty,  unless  they  furnish  proof  of  the  return  of 
the  effects  furnished  to  them  by  the  government.  Parents  who  intend  to  leave  be- 
hind young  children  without  consent  of  the  competent  authorities.  Emigrant  agents 
must  require  of  persons  intending  to  leave  the  country  the  proofs  mentioned  under 
2,  5,  6,  and  7  before  signing  the  contract  for  forwarding  the  emigrants. 

8.  No. 

9.  The  laws  of  Switzerland  are  in  complete  harmony  with  those  of  the  United 
States  on  the  subject  of  emigration  and  immigration,  and  so  far  as  this  consulate 
has  been  able  to  observe,  are  strictly  enforced  by  the  federal  authorities. 

George  Gifford, 
United  States  Consul, 
United  States  Consulate. 

Basle,  June  26,  1891, 


CONSUL  HAYDEN,  BEESLAU. 

Jno.  B.  Weber, 

Chairman: 

Sir:  In  reply  to  your  circular  letter  under  date  of  21st  July,  1891,  I  have  the  honor 
to  submit  the  following  reply : 

In  answer  to  the  first  question  I  have  to  say  that  I  do  not  think  emigration  to  the 
United  States  is  in  any  way  affected  b^  steamship  companies  or  their  agents  in  this 
consular  district, 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.     97 

In  answer  to  second  question,  I  know  of  no  contract  laborers  being  exported  from 
this  district. 

In  answer  to  third  question  I  can  only  say  that  I  have  no  knowledge  of  any  socie- 
ties here  aiding  persons  of  the  class  of  which  you  speak,  to  emigrate  to  the  United 
States. 

In  answer  to  fourth  question,  I  beg  to  express  my  humble  opinion  and  say  that  it 
would  be  practicable  and  of  good  service  to  the  L'nited  States  to  require  all  emi- 
grants to  obtain  emigration  certificates  from  the  United  States  consuls.  It  would 
cost  the  United  States  Government  nothing,  for  the  costs  of  obtaining  said  certificate 
would  be  very  properly  paid  by  the  emigrants.  In  this  connection  I  beg  to  observe 
that  should  the  United  States  consuls  be  empowered  to  issue  these  certificates,  many 
persons,  wholly  unfit  to  receive  domicile  in  the  United  States,  could  be  kept  at  home. 
Your  committee  need  not  overconcern  itself  about  citizens  of  this  country  going  to 
America  owing  military  service;  the  German  Government  will  attend  to  this  matter. 

In  answer  to  fifth  question,  I  have  to  observe  that  I  know  of  no  "law  or  regula- 
tion^' which  hinders  emigration. 

In  answer  to  sixth  question,  I  have  to  inform  you  that  criminals  and  paupers  are 
at  once  sent  to  the  country  to  Avhich  they  owe  allegiance.  I  can  not  comply  with 
requests  which  you  make  in  question  No.  7. 

In  answer  to  question  8,  I  have  to  observe  that  this  is  a  very  important  ques- 
tion which  you  put.  It  would  be  hard  indeed  to  submit  such  proof  as  a  court  of  law 
would  consider  sufficient,  and  yet  your  committee  knows  and  our  people  in  America 
know  that  hundreds  of  emigrants  "go''  to  America  when  they  can't  go  elsewhere, 
which  means,  of  course,  that  Europe  is  unloading  undesirable  persons  on  us.  The 
United  States  has  played  the  "  asylum  for  all  nations  "  long  enough,  and  in  my  humble 
opinion  the  time  has  arrived  when  emigration  should  be  decreased,  if  not  suspended 
altogether,  at  least  for  a  decade. 

In  answer  to  question  No.  9  I  have  only  to  observe  that  I  do  not.  This  ques- 
tion implies  a  condition  of  affairs  that  don't  exist.  My  answer  to  question  8  shows 
that  any  arrangement  which  this  Government  might  enter  into  with  the  United  States 
would  certainly  be  such  an  arrangement  as  would  not  be  prejudicial  to  this  Govern- 
ment in  the  premises. 

iervant, 

Joseph  Edward  Hayden, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  HAMMICK,  GENEVA. 

Gexeva,  Switzerland,  August  10,  1891. 

Gentlemen  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  circular  of  July 
21,  1891,  and  to  say  that  the  cause  of  the  delay  of  my  answer  has  been  pressure  of 
business,  resulting  from  the  unusually  large  inflow  of  American  travelers.  In  addi- 
iion  to  this,  it  has  taken  me  some  time  to  investigate  the  subject. 

As  to  inquiry  No.  1,  I  can  learn  of  nothing  that  has  been  or  is  being  done. 

No.  2.  No  contract  laborers,  so  far  as  I  can  ascertain,  are  taken  from  here  to  the 
United  States. 

No,  3.  I  have  been  informed  by  one  of  the  prominent  officials  that  as  the  United 
States  had  stringent  regulations  now,  resi^ecting  criminal,  insane,  pauper,  and  other 
undesirable  immigrants,  those  of  these  classes  who  were  sent  out  of  the  country, 
are  sent  to  more  hospitable  ports  than  those  of  the  United  States.  These  undesir- 
able classes  form  a  very  small  proportion  of  the  citizenship  of  this  republic,  and  the 
alien  criminals  or  paupers  who  come  here,  are  obliged  to  show  a  means  of  earning  a 
livlihood  and  an  intention  to  behave  well,  or  they  are  at  once  driven  out.  No  tramps 
are  allowed  in  this  country. 

No.  4.  I  think  it  would  be  practical)le  to  apply  an  effectual  system  of  examina- 
tion of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls,  or  officers  under  their  direction, 
with  the  system  of  comx)ulsory  registration  of  births,  marriages,  and  the  "permit 
de  s6jour,"  prevailing  here,  coupled  with  the  knowledge  which  could  be  obtained 
from  the  authorities  and  other  sources  respecting  character,  I  believe  a  system  could 
be  adopted  which  would  be  most  eifective  in  preventing  undesirable  immigration. 
1  As  to  numbers  5,  6,  7,  8,  and  9,  I  have  not  such  favorable  opportunity  as  the 
iA.merican  minister  at  Berne,  who  will,  I  am  sure,  answer  them  all  most  satisfactorily. 

I  beg  to  say  that  the  people  here  are  prosperous,  contented,  and  happy,  and  that 
there  is  very  little  emigration.     So  far  as  this  consular  district  is  concerned,  I  have 

H.  Ex.  37 0$ 


98      ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

had  but  four  or  five  applications  for  emigrant  certificates  in  the  two  years  I  have 
been  here,  and  these  were  made  by  the  most  desirable  persons.     I  have  the  honor  to 
remain,  with  great  respect, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

ROLA^TD   J.    HaIMMICK, 

^  Consul. 

The  members  of  Special  Commission  of 

United  States  Treasury  Department,  Bremen, 


CONSUL  GOTTSCHALK,  STUTTGART, 

Stuttgart,  August  10, 1891. 
John  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Special  Emigration  Commission: 

In  reply  to  your  circular  of  July  21,  1891,  I  respectfully  state  in  answer  to  the 
inquiries  made : 

1.  That  while  emigration  is  permitted  in  the  Kingdom  of  Wurtemberg,  yet  it  is 
not  favored,  and  therefore  it  is  strictly  controlled,  and  no  steamship  company  or 
other  carrying  companies  or  agents  are  allowed  to  encourage  persons  to  emigrate. 
All  agents  are  under  surveillance  of  the  law,  and  have  to  make  reports.  The  steam- 
ship companies  have  themselves  issued  circulars  to  their  agents  here  enjoining  strict 
o))edien('e  to  the  United  States  laws. 

2.  No  contract  laborers  are  engaged  openly. 

3.  No  criminals  or  paupers  are  shipped  openly  to  the  United  States.  There  may 
be,  and  probably  are,  covert  violations  of  this,  but  this  consulate  has  no  means  of 
discovering  it,  as  such  investigation,  if  any  success  is  to  be  expected,  requires  detec- 
tive service,  and  this  consulate  knows  of  no  appropriation  to  pay  for  same. 

4.  It  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  a  system  of  examination  of  intending  emi- 
grants by  consul  in  this  way:  To  have  every  emigrant  furnish  to  the  consul  (1) 
Record  by  the  authorities  of  his  domicil,  stating  number  of  his  family,  whether  he 
has  ever  been  a  burden  to  the  community  or  punished  for  any  crime.  (2)  A  state- 
ment by  the  emigrant  himself  stating  his  reason  for  emigration,  his  place  of  destina- 
tion, his  means,  whether  he  goes  with  family,  and  other  jiarticulars.  (3)  The  con- 
sul is  then,  after  satisfying  himself,  either  from  the  papers  or,  in  suspicious  cases, 
by  investigation  and  requiring  further  proof,  to  issue  a  certificate,  setting  forth  the 
particulars,  which  the  emigrant  is  to  produce  to  the  steamship  company  or  other 
company  before  same  is  allowed  to  carry  him  as  passenger  to  the  United  States,  and 
emigrant  also  to  produce  it  to  authorities  at  port  of  entry.  The  consul  to  keep 
record  of  these  certificates.  Each  emigrant  to  pay  to  consul  a  fee  of  5  to  10  marks 
or  $1  to  $2.50.  No  authority  here  would  risk  giving  a  certificate  to  a  pauper  or  a 
criminal,  as  they  know  the  same  is  subject  to  investigation  by  consul.  But  if  they 
would,  the  responsibility  can  easily  be  placed  where  it  belongs,  and  they  can  be* 
held  responsible,  and  the  pauper,  etc.,  returned. 

5.  It  is  more  hindered  than  encouraged  here.     (See  law  cited  under  7.) 

6.  Aliens,  paupers,  and  criminals  are  returned  to  the  country  to  which  they  owe 
allegiance,  or  sent  across  the  border.  If  the  pauper  is  an  Austrian,  the  Austrian  con- 
sul is  called  upon,  and  he  must  return  him,  etc. 

7.  The  consulate  has  made  several  reports  about  emigration,  stating  the  law,  which 
will  be  found  in  consular  reports  for  April,  1881,  No.  6,  page  557;  for  June,  1881,  No. 
8,  page  895;  and  for  May,  1884,  No.  41,  page  410,  and  giving  also  the  general  features 
relative  to  this  consular  district,  and  answering  concisely  the  questions  propounded. 
As  matters  have  not  materially  changed  since  then,  reference  is  respectfully  made  to 
thems 

8.  In  answer  to  the  8th  question,  I  say  that  I  do  not. 

9.  As  Wilrtemberg  is  part  of  Germany,  and  the  United  States  is  only  represented 
by  a  diplomatic  officer  for  entire  Germany,  this  question  can  only  be  properly 
answered  by  the  diplomatic  officer,  although  each  consul  probably  has  his  opinion  on 
the  subject. 

I  remain,  yours  very  respectfully, 

Louis  Gottschalk, 
United  States  Consul, 


ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR   LAWS.  b  7 

CONSUL  BURGESS,  TUNSTALL. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States,  District  of  Tunstall, 

St.  John  Chambers,  Queen  street,  Biirslem,  October  8,  1891, 
Jno.  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

United  States  Consulate,  Bremen  : 
Dear  Sir  :  lu  reply  to   your  cirnlar  letter  of  July  21,  I  regret  to  say  that  I  am 
unable  to  give  any  satisfactory  answers  to  your  several  questions.     This  being  an  in- 
land consulate  there  are  no  means  of  ascertaining  the  number  or  class  of  emigrants 
from  this  district. 

1.  There  is  nothing  done  by  the  steamship  agents,  as  far  as  I  can  learn,  to  promote 
emigration  to  the  United  States. 

2.  No  contract-labor  engagements  are  being  made  by  any  persons  to  the  best  of  my 
knowledge  and  information. 

3.  There  is  nothing  being  done  in  the  way  of  helping  the  crimial,  etc.,  classes  in 
any  way. 

4.  Intending  emigrants  could  be  examined  by  consular  officers  at  little  or  no  ex- 
pense to  the  Government  if  set  fees  were  charged.  If  the  consular  officer  did  his  full 
duty  I  certainly  think  the  detection  of  contract  laborers  and  criminals  would  be  im- 
proved to  a  very  great  extent.     I  know  of  no  laws  to  prevent  such  examination. 

5.  Emigration  is  neither  hindered  nor  encouraged  by  law. 

6.  There  are  none. 

7.  There  are  none. 

8.  I  know  of  none. 

9.  I  would  suggest  that  if  the  local  authorities  certify  to  the  consul  as  to  the  char- 
acter of  the  proposed  emigrant — 

{a)  It  would  be  a  means  of  recording  all  emigrants,  and  also  of  detection  of  any 
proposed  fugitive  from  justice. 

(&)  The  interest  of  the  two  countries  would  clash  in  a  desire  of  the  emigrating 
government  to  export  only  the  poorest  elements  (in  every  particular)  and  retain  at 
home  the  best. 

I  am,  sir,  yours  faithfully, 

W.  Burgess, 

Consal, 


CONSUL  CATLIN,  ZURICH. 

Replies  to  questions  contained  in  confidential  circular  of  Special  Commission,  United  States 
^Treasury  Department,  dated  July  21,  1891. 

1.  Under  the  strict  provisions  of  the  Swiss  Federal  emigration  law  of  April  12, 1881, 
any  promotion  of  emigration  from  Switzerland  by  steamship  or  other  carrying  com- 
panies for  the  resulting  passenger  business  is  rendered  impossible  and  none  such  in 
etiect  exists. 

2.  Contract  laborers,  so  far  as  is  officially  known  to  this  consulate,  are  not  engaged 
for  exportation  to  the  United  States.  The  existence  of  the  law  rendering  such  con- 
tracts illegal  is  generally  known  and  operates  to  prevent  their  being  made. 

3.  The  law  in  question  forbids  the  forwarding  of  (a)  persons  who,  by  reason  of 
advanced  age,  sickness,  or  feebleness,  are  incapable  of  labor  in  so  far  as  adequate 
means  of  subsistence  are  not  shown  to  be  provided  for  them  at  the  place  of  destina- 
tion, {b)  Persons  under  18  years  of  age  unless  accompanied  by  reliable  persons,  or 
for  whom  a  proper  support  is  not  assured  at  their  place  of  destination,  also  with  re- 
serve as  to  the  consent  of  parent  or  guardian,  (c)  Persons  who  after  paying  the 
expense  of  their  journey  would  reach  their  destination  without  any  means  of  sup- 
port, {d)  Persons  to  whom  entry  is  forbidden  by  the  law  of  the  country  to  which 
they  propose  to  emigrate,  (e)  Persons  having  no  papers  to  show  their  origin  and 
citizenship,  as  well  as  Swiss  citizens  liable  to  military  duty  who  can  not  prove  that 
they  have  returned  the  military  equipments  which  they  have  received  from  the  Gov- 
ernment. Under  this  law,  therefore,  any  agent  forwarding  any  of  the  objectionable 
persons  embraced  in  question  3  becomes  liable  and  is  sure  to  be  held  to  a  strict 
accountability  by  the  Federal  authorities. 

4.  Such  a  system  of  examination  would  be  practicable  and  could  be  maintained  at 
a  cost  of  50  cents  per  capita  on  each  intending  emigrant.  Full  particulars  (with 
necessary  forms)  of  a  plan  on  which  this  system  could  be  carried  out  will  be  found 
in  my  report  on  emigration  forwarded  to  the  Department  of  State  with  dispatch  No. 
164,  dated  August  18;  1888.     In  this  country  the  laws  governing  military  service 


100    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

would  not  to  any  appreciable  extent  interfere  with  the  carrying  out  of  the  system 
proposed. 

5.  Emigration  is  neither  hindered  nor  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation.  It  is  en- 
tii-ely  a  matter  of  volition  with  the  intending  enaigrant,  provided  he  has  the  means. 

6.  Alien  criminals  and  paupers  are  returned  to  the  country  to  which  they  owe 
allegiance;  in  other  words,  repatriated.  v 

7.  Au  English  translation  of  the  entire  Swiss  Federal  law  relating  to  emigration 
will  be  found  accompanying  my  report  mentioned  above  in  answer  4,  and  will  be 
found  of  great  value  in  considering  all  questions  i^ertaining  to  Swiss  emigration. 
In  any  case  the  emigration  from  Zurich  to  the  United  States  is  unimportant,  scarcely 
exceeding  2,000  per  year. 

8.  No. 

9.  No. 

George  L.  Catlin, 
United  States  Consul. 
United  States  Consulate, 

Zurich,  July  27,  1891. 


VICE-CONSUL  DONNEB,  RELSINGFORS,  FINLAND. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Helsingfors,  August  12,  1S91. 
Jno.  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman  of  the  Special  Commission, 

United  States  Treasury  Department,  Bremen: 
Sir:  In  answer  to  the  confidential  circular  dated  London,  July  21,  addressed  to 
this  consulate,  regarding  the  subject  of  emigration  to  the  United  States  from  Fin- 
land, I  beg  herewith  to  send  you  the  following  answers  to  the  questions  stated 
therein,  viz : 

1.  There  is  no  direct  steamboat  communication  between  Finland  and  the  United 
States.     Emigrants  get  there  by  way  of  Sweden  and  England,  Denmark  or  Germany. 

2.  As  far  as  is  known,  there  is  no  engagement  by  contract  made  with  laborers 
either  openly  or  covertly  for  exportation  to  the  United  States. 

3.  Criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defectives,  paupers,and  persons 
afflicted  with  contagious  diseases  are  neither  encouraged  nor  aided  to  emigrate  from 
this  country  to  the  United  States  by  the  OoA^ernment  or  by  any  societies. 

4.  The  simplest,  cheapest,  and  most  etfcctive  system  would  be,  in  my  opinion,  if 
every  emigrant  were  obliged  to  have  a  passport,  and  were  not  allowed  to  enter  the 
United  States  without  having  had  this  passport  vis6d  by  the  American  consul,  who 
would  then  be  able  to  ascertain,  as  uearl^^  as  possible,  whether  the  intending  emi- 
grant were  eligible  and  possessed  of  means  sufttcient  to  support  him  after  his  arrival 
in  the  United  States  until  he  got  employment.  No  male  subject  is  allowed  by  the 
laws  of  this  country  to  emigrate  before  he  has  completed  his  term  of  comjiulsory 
military  service. 

5.  Emigration  is  neither  hindered  nor  encouraged  by  any  law  or  regulation. 

6.  Alien  criminals  and  paupers  are  returned  to  the  countries  to  which  they  owe 
allegiance,  the  former  after  having  undergone  the  punishment  to  which  they  have 
been  sentenced  here.  In  both  cases  at  the  expense  of  the  country  to  which  they 
belong. 

7.  No  laws  or  regulations  exist  in  this  country  regarding  emigration  and  immigra- 
tion. 

8.  There  is  no  systematic  or  organized  movement  in  this  country  to  divert  immi- 
gration in  any  way. 

9.  There  is  little  doubt  but  that  the  Finnish  Government  would  be'  likely  to  co- 
operate with  the  United  States  in  hindering  emigration  rather  than  the  reverse,  as 
the  country  is  thinly  populated. 

(a.)  The  adult  emigrants  being,  as  a  rule,  strong  and  good  laborers,  it  would  of 
course  be  to  the  interest  of  the  United  States  to  get  such  emigrants. 

(&.)  But  it  would  not  be  to  the  interest  of  the  Finnish  Government  to  facilitate 
their  emigration. 

In  case  any  of  the  members  of  the  commission  should  honor  this  consulate  with  a 
visit,  I  need  hardly  assure  you  that  it  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  be  of  service 
to  them. 

I  remain,  sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

Herman  Donner, 
Vice  and  Acting  United  States  Consul. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


101 


CONSUL  OSBORNE,  GHENT. 

Concerning  emigration  to  the  United  States  from  the  consular  district  of  Ghent, 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

14  Hue  des  Champs,  Ghent,  Belgium,  July  30,  1891. 
The  relative  imimportance  of  the  emigTation  from  the  ])rovinces  of  East  and  West 
Flanders,  Belgium,  comprising  the  consular  district  of  Ghent,  is  best  shown  by  the 
following  figures  for  1889,  taken  from  the  latest  statistics  prepared  by  the  Belgian 
Government : 


Province. 

Sex. 

1^0.  of  emi- 
grants  to 

the  United 
States  for 
year  1889. 

Population 

of  province 

December 

31, 1889. 

!East  Flanders 

^Males  .... 
^Females . . 
males  .... 
^Females . . 

952, 635 

741, 837 

"West  Flanders 

Total 

233 

1,  694,  472 

Total  number  of  emigrants  from  all  Belgium  to  the  United  States,  year  1889 1, 700 

Total  number  of  emigrants  from  East  and  West  Flanders  to  all  countries,  year  1889 5, 568 

1.  Nearly  all  the  emigrants  have  gone  via  Antwerp  on  the  Red  Star  Line.  I  have 
heard  of  no  instance  of  promotion  of  emigration  to  the  United  States  for  the  result- 
ing passenger  business  by  that  company  or  its  agents. 

2.  No  cases  of  engagement  of  contract  laborers  for  the  United  States  from  this 
district  have  come  to  my  notice. 

3.  Any  encouragement  or  aid  furnished  to  the  classes  mentioned  is  by  relatives 
only,  to  the  best  of  my  belief. 

4.  I  consider  such  a  system  entirely  practicable,  as  well  as  advisable,  not  strikingly 
by  reason  of  any  phases  presented  in  this  district,  but  in  Europe  in  general.  In  this 
particular  I  may  be  allowed  to  give  my  ideas.  I  believe  that  an  efficient  system 
would  be  to  require  intending  emigrants  to  present  themselves  at  the  nearest  United 
States  consulate,  furnished  with  an  official  certificate  from  the  highest  municipal  or 
police  official  of  their  place  of  residence — in  Belgium,  the  burgomaster  of  the  towns, 
villages^  and  communes,  or  in  cities  the  commissaire  de  jiolice  of  the  section  in  which 
the  applicants  resided — this  document  to  cover  the  following  poiuts,  certifying: 

(1)  That  the  applicant  is  a  subject  of  the  country  and  resident  of  the  place. 

(2)  That  the  applicant  does  not  belong  to  any  of  the  classes  enumerated  in  ques- 
tion 3. 

(3)  That  no  local  official  disqualification  exists  for  the  emigration  of  the  applicant, 
such  as  military  duty,  etc. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  local  official  is  best  competent  to  certify  to  all  of  the 
above,  and  such  certification  under  his  hand  and  seal  throws  no  little  responsibility 
upon  him,  especially  as  to  the  third  point,  as  far  as  the  interests  of  his  own  govern- 
ment are  concerned.  I  do  not  consider  that  the  oath  of  the  emigrant  on  the  above 
points  is  worth  much,  no  matter  before  whom  it  may  be  made.  This  document,  when 
presented  at  the  United  States  consulate  ought  to  be  examined,  and  the  signature 
and  seal  of  the  authority  legalized  by  the  consul.  The  applicant  should  then  be 
required  to  make  a  declaration  before  the  consul  to  the  effect  that  he  had  not  been 
engaged  by  contract  to  emigrate,  to  which  could  be  added  any  additional  declarations 
covered  in  the  first-mentioned  document.  After  an  examination  of  the  emigrant  the 
consul  could  then  give  his  certificate  on  this  declaration.  The  requirement  of  these 
two  documents  properly  certified  and  accompanied  by  satisfactory  evidence  of 
identity  of  the  bearer  for  admittance  into  the  United  States  would  certainly  prove 
effective  in  keeping  out  undesirable  immigrants.  Moreover,  the  system  would  cost 
nothing  to  maintain. 

5.  The  attitude  of  the  Belgian  Government  is  that  of  indifference.  Neither  hind- 
rance nor  encouragement  is  offered  ])y  laws  or  regulations. 

6.  Alien  criminals  not  known  to  be  guilty  of  any  unpunished  crimes  are  freely  al- 
lowed to  enter  the  country,  but  in  case  the  Belgian  Government  is  informed  of  their 
dangerous  character  they  are  subjected  to  police  surveillance.  Alien  paupers  are  also 
freely  allowed  to  enter,  but  as  soon  as  detected  begging  they  are  arrested  under  the 
mendicancy  lav  and.  imprisoned  for  a  period  not  greater  than  fifteen  days,  after 


102    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

which  they  are  conducted  to  the  frontier.  However,  in  case  they  claim  and  prove 
a  residence  of  at  least  two  weeks  the  procedure  is  different  and  they  are  treated  as 
Belgians. 

7.  The  only  laws  concerning  emigration  are  regulations  for  insuring  the  health, 
comfort,  and  safety,  during  the  voyage,  of  emigrants  leaving  by  vessel.  This  matter 
is  under  the  control  of  a  commission  of  inspectors  at  Antwerp.  I  have  been  unable 
to  find  any  regulations  concerning  immigration,  and  am  of  the  opinion  that  none 
exist. 

8.  If  any  such  diversion  has  been  practiced  it  has  been  at  Antwerp.  However,  in 
the  case  of  the  Russian  Jews,  who  passed  Belgium  in  transit  to  the  United  States,  I 
do  not  think  they  ever  contemplated  locating  in  Belgium,  for  their  situation  in  this 
densely  populated  and  overcrowded  little  country  would  have  been  deijlorable. 

9.  I  believe  that  the  Belgian  officials  would  cooperate  in  carrying  out  the  provisions 
of  any  plan  adopted  in  accordance  with  question  4,  the  advantages  of  which  to  the 
United  States  are  evident.  It  is  to  the  interest  of  the  Belgian  Government  to  put  no 
obstacles  in  the  way  of  the  emigration  of  the  surplus  population,  especially  of  the 
agricultural  classes,  who  are  the  most  numerous  of  the  emigrants.  It  is  true  these 
are  as  a  class  law-abiding,  industrious,  and  economical,  and  in  these  respects  far 
less  objectionable  than  many  others,  but  the  starvation  wages  for  which  they  toil 
all  their  lives  rarely  enable  them  to  save  up  more  than  enough  to  land  them  in  the 
United  States  in  a  condition  little  better  than  pauperism. 

John  B.  Osborne, 
United  States  Consul. 


VICE-CONSUL  HESSENBRUCH,  BARMEN. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Barmen,  August  10,  1891. 
To  the  Chairman  of  the  Special  Commission  Treasury  Department, 

(care  of  United  States  Consulate,  Bremen) : 
Sir:  I  have  been  requested  by  my  principal,  Consul  A.  G.  Studer  at  present  on 
leave  in  Carlsbad,  to  inform  you  that  your  confidential  circular  of  the  21st  of  July 
last  was  received  by  him  while  in  a  suffering  state  of  health  and  making  prepara- 
tions to  avail  himself  of  a  sixty-days'  leave  of  absence  granted  to  him  by  the  Depart- 
ment of  State  to  go  to  Carlsbad.  He  greatly  regrets  not  being  able  to  answer  it. 
On  his  return  he  will  report  to  the  Department  of  State  direct  as  fully  as  i)ossible. 
I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Frank  Hessenrruch, 
Acting  Vice  and  Deputy  Consul  in  Charge. 


CONSUL  NEWSON,  MALAGA. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Malaga,  Spain,  July  31,  1801. 
The  Chairman  and  Members  Special  Commission  U.  S.  Treasury  Department : 

Gentlemen:  In  resp.onse  to  your  request,  I  would  say  that  there  is  no  emigration 
from  Malaga  to  the  United  States,  and  there  is  no  association  promoting  emigration. 
Just  about  one  Spaniard  in  a  thousand  has  any  conception  whatever  as  to  what  the 
United  States  is,  and  hence  nobody  wants  to  go  there.  To  the  Spanish  mind  Spain 
is  the  world.  There  is  no  immigration  from  here  whatever  to  the  United  States.  I 
would  add,  I  am  entirely  in  symj)athy  with  your  movement. 
H  ours,  respectfully, 

T.  M.  Newson, 
United  States  Consul 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    103 

CONSUL  TURNER,  CADIZ. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Cadiz,  Spain,  August  4,  1891. 

Gentlemen:  You  are  doubtless  aware  that  tlie  emigration  from  Spaiu  to  tlie 
United  States  is  quite  insignificant,  so  much  so  that,  in  answering  your  circular  of 
July  21,  I  pass  over  its  first  three  paragraphs  and  commence  with  the  fourth  :  The 
cost  of  an  effective  consular  examination  of  persons  intending  to  emigrate  to  the 
United  States  from  Spain  would,  I  think,  be  small,  as  will  be  seen  by  answers  to 
question  5.  The  examination  made  by  the  United  States  consul  would  be  facili- 
tated by  the  original  certifications  required  by  Spanish  law. 

5.  The  answer  to  this  question  will  be  found  in  the  following,  which  is  an  extract 
from  a  royal  decree  issued  January  19,  1877,  relating  to  emigration : 

(1)  "All  Spaniards  who  desire  to  emigrate  to  American  Republics  must  solicit  from 
the  governor  of  the  province  in  which  such  embarkation  takes  effect  his  authoriza- 
tion. This  solicitation  must  be  made  at  least  twenty-four  hours  before  embarking, 
and  must  be  accompanied  by  the  following  documents : 

(a)  '*  Local  passport. 

(6)  "Males  and  females  unmarried,  under  25  years  of  age,  must  present  the  au- 
thorization of  their  parents  or  guardians,  made  and  legalized  by  a  notary  public  or 
the  mayor  of  their  native  town  or  city. 

(o)  "Males  under  15  years  of  age  shall  present  a  certificate  of  birth,  legalized  by 
the  authorities  of  their  birthplace,  and  visaed  by  the  mayor  of  the  port  of  embarka- 
tion. 

{d)  "Males  from  15  to  35  years  of  age  shall  present  a  certificate  showing  that 
they  have  complied  with  the  law  of  enforced  military  service,  or  in  lieu  of  which 
they  must  deposit  2,000  pesetas. 

(e)  "Males  over  35  years  of  age  and  unmarried  females  over  25  must  present  their 
local  personal  passport. 

(/)  "Individuals  belonging  to  the  military  reserves  must,  in  addition  to  com- 
plying with  the  foregoing,  present  a  license  from  the  captain-general  of  their  res- 
pective districts  giving  the  permission  or  leave  of  absence  to  embark,  according  to 
the  law  made  and  provided. 

(</)  ' '  Married  females  must  present  the  written  permission  of  their  husbands  legal- 
ized by  the  mayor  of  their  native  town  or  city. 

(Ji)  "A  certificate  showing  that  they  are  free  from  all  prosecutions.  This  certifi- 
cate is  given  by  the  mayor  and  must  be  legalized  by  the  civil  governor  of  native 
province." 

The  foregoing  regulations  of  Spanish  law  have  so  many  safeguards  thrown  around 
them  that  clandestine  emigration  is  exceedingly  difficult.  Ships  are  examined  and 
are  required  to  jirove  to  the  port  authorities  that  ample  provision  has  been  made  for 
the  care  and  comfort  of  all  emigrants,  and  that  the  fare  for  the  passage  does  not  ex- 
ceed one-third  of  the  sum  of  money  with  which  the  emigrant  leaves  port.  In  contra- 
distinction to  these  regulations  relative  to  emigrants  who  go  to  American  Republics 
are  laws  which  lend  assistance  to  all  persons  who  desire  to  emigrate  to  Cuba  or  other 
Spanish  possessions.  So  far  as  I  am  able  to  learn  there  are  no  laws  regulating  the 
return  to  their  native  land  of  such  foreign  paupers  as  find  their  way  to  Spain.  The 
tide  of  Spanish  emigration  flowed  to  South  America,  and  I  do  not  know  of  a  single 
case  of  contract  labor  for  the  United  States,  but  there  have  been  thousands  sent  from 
here  under  contract  to  Argentine  and  Brazil. 
I  am,  gentleman,  your  obedient  servant, 

R.  W.  Turner, 
United  States  Consul, 

To  memhe>'8  of  the  Special  Commission  of  United  States  Treasury  Department, 


CONSUL  CIBELO  MOLINA  Y  CROS,  CARTSAGENA. 

Consulate  op  the  United  States  of  America, 

Carthagena,  8th  August.  1891. 
Jno.  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

(Care  of  United  States  Consulate,  Bremen^ : 
Sir  :  I  have  been  favored  with  your  circular  dated  London,  July  21,  1891.     There 
being  no  emigration  to  the  United  States  of  America  within  my  consular  district,  I 
am  sorry  I  am  not  able  to  furnish  you  with  the  information  you  are  seeking. 

There  is  here  simply  voluntary  emigration  of  country  laborers  on  a  very  small 
scale  across  to  the  Algerian  ports. 
The  emigration  in  general  is  hindered  here  by  the  military  law  to  a  certain  extent, 


104    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

viz,  men  from  15  to  40  years  of  age  are  jiot  allowed  to  emigrate  unless  by  previously 
depositing  2,000  pesetas,  which  is  the  sum  that  may  release  them  from  military 
service,  or  else  those  that,  after  having  performed  their  service,  and  passing  from 
the  first  to  the  second,  and  further,  reserves  to  produce,  previous  to  attempt  ship- 
ping, a  proper  certificate  from  their  respective  commanders  of  the  corps  to  Avhich  they 
are  attached  as  having  complied  with  the  law.  ^ 

Police  inspectors  are  stationed  always  at  every  steamship's  agencies  during  the 
time  of  issuing  tickets  in  order  to  watch  all  passengers. 
There  are  no  emigration  agencies  in  this  district. 
Very  respectfully, 

CiRELO  Molina  y  Cros, 

United  States  Consul. 


¥ 


COMMERCIAL  AGENT  EEID,  BUNFEBMLINE. 

United  States  Commercial  Agency, 

Dunfermline,  Scotland,  Augusts,  1891. 
John  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman  Special  Commission,  Treasury  Department, 
(Care  of  U.  S.  Consul,  Bremen) : 
Sir:  In  reply  to  your  confidential  circular,  dated  London,  .July  21,  1891  (received 
here  July  26),  I  have  the  honor  to  answer  its  various  paragraphs  as  follows: 

1.  So  far  as  known,  and  after  careful  inquiry,  emigration  from  this  consular  dis- 
trict is  promoted  only  by  the  appointment  of  agents  of  known  probity  and  standing, 
under  well-defined  and  careful  instructions,  to  prevent  any  infraction  of  the  laws 
aff"ecting  emigration  to  the  United  States.  These  agents  are  precluded  from  induc- 
ing emigration  by  aid  of  any  kind,  or  by  reduction  of  ocean  or  railroad  fares,  or  by 
sharing  with  the  emigrant  the  agent's  commission. 

2.  No  emigrant  is  allowed  to  be  booked  by  any  agent  of  any  persons  known  to  be 
engaged  by  contract  or  otherwise  to  work  for  any  specified  period  in  America,  and 
agents  are  specially  cautioned  against  accepting  such  applicant*. 

3.  I  am  satisfied  that  no  encouragement  of  any  kind  to  criminals  or  defectives  to 
emigrate  has  ever  or  is  likely  ever  to  be  ^iven  by  the  emigrant  agencies  of  this  dis- 
trict. 

4.  Any  consular  examination  of  emigrants  to  prevent  breach  of  emigration  laws 
could  be  done  here  without  much  additional  labor,  inasmuch  as  emigration  from 
here  is  not  caused  by  congestion,  and  is  not,  as  a  general  thing,  so  much  the  result 
of  necessity  as  of  choice,  iii  hope  of  wider  scope  and  larger  remuneration.  There  is 
no  aggravating  poverty.  Such  examination  would  be  cheerfully  given  here  without 
increased  expense,  unless  it  should  be  deemed  wise  to  establish  a  moderate  fee  there- 
for, a  costless  service  being,  generally,  an  unrespected  one.  I  venture  to  think  that 
were  emigrants  compelled  to  make  oath  of  their  complete  eligibility  in  presence  of 
a  consul  or  other  official  and  in  that  of  a  responsible  respectable  citizen,  it  would 
aid  in  removing  the  chief  evils  of  the  present  condition,  if  such  exist.  Fraud,  how- 
ever, IS  always  possible,  and  a  consular  certificate  should  never  limit  the  present 
careful  system  of  inspection  on  arrival. 

5.  No  encouragement  is  given  to  emigrants  to  the  United  States,  but  is  to  some 
of  the  British  Colonies,  notably  Australia  and  New  Zealand. 

6.  No  such  cases  have  occurred  or  are  possible  in  this  inland  district. 

7.  There  are  none.  • 

8.  I  do  not. 

9.  I  believe  the  British  Government  would  unite  in  any  proper  measures  to  pre- 
vent improper  emigration  if  any  additional  guards  can  be  thus  given. 

The  following  instructions  are  enforced  here  by  steamboat  companies : 
''  No  sick,  lame,  deformed,  or  infirm  person  or  persons  who  are  in  any  way  liable 
to  become  public  burdens  can  be  taken  unless  security  is  given,  as  the  subscribers 
must  enter  into  bonds  with  the  United  States  and  Canadian  Governments  that  such 
parties  shall  not  become  chargeable  to  the  State. 

Having  thus  responded  to  your  inquiries,  I  take  the  opportunity  to  say  that  this 
district  is  populated  by  a  generally  well-educated  and  thrifty  community,  in  which 
there  is  no  special  pressure  from  congestion  or  poverty  to, emigrate.  There  is  no 
port  of  debarcation  in  this  district.  Emigration  from  here  is  through  Glasgow, 
Leith,  or  Liverpool. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

James  D.  Reid, 
United  States  Commercial  Agent. 

The  emigration  from  here  is  almost  solely  of  miners  when  wages  are  low,  many  ol 
"whom  return  when  wages  risej  or  of  members  of  miners'  families. 


ENFORCEMENT    OF    ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR    LAWS.  105 

CONSUL  BYERS,  ST.  GALL.  SWLTZEBLAND. 

Question  1.  The  extent  to  whicli  emigration  to  the  United  States  is  promoted  by 
steamship  or  other  carrying  comi)anies,  or  their  agents,  for  the  resulting  passenger 
business. — Answer.  None  at  all. 

Question  2,  The  extent  to  which  contract  laborers  are  engaged  openly  or  covertly 
for  exportation  to  the  United  States,  through  what  agencies,  and  for  what  classes 
of  employment. — Answer.  Of  late  years  occurs  but  rarely. 

Question  3.  The  extent  to  which  criminals,  insane  persons,  idiots,  and  other  defect- 
ives— pauijers  or  persons  likely  to  become  a  public  charge  and  persons  afflicted  with 
loathsome  or  dangerous  contagious  diseases — are  encouraged  or  aided  to  emigrate  to 
the  United  States  in  violation  of  our  laws,  and  whether  the  aid  or  encouragement  is 
furnished  systematically  or  otherwise,  and  whether  by  relatives,  societies,  commit- 
tees, or  Government  authorities. — Answer.  The  press  opposes  in  late  years  and  the 
law  really  forbids. 

Question  4.  Whether  it  would  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system 
of  examination  of  intending  emigrants  by  American  consuls,  or  officers  under  their 
direction,  together  with  the  probable  cost  of  maintaining  such  a  system  if  adopted. — 
Answer.  Yes.     It  is  in  my  opinion  the  only  practicable  system. 

In  connection  with  this  last  inquiry,  it  will  be  important  to  ascertain  what  original 
official  certification  will  be  required  to  enable  consuls  to  pass  upon  the  eligibility 
of  the  intending  emigrant,  whether  detection  of  contract  laborers  and  criminals 
will  be  materially  improved,  and  to  what  extent,  if  any,  the  laws  governing  military 
service  would  prevent  immigration  of  those  within  the  military  age  by  any  system  of 
consular  inspection. 

Question  5,  Is  emigration  hindered  or  encouraged  by  law  or  regulation?  And,  if 
so,  what  classes  in  respect  of  age  and  condition  are  aflected? — Answer.  No. 

Question  6.  What  disposition  is  made  of  alien  criminals  or  jJ^iiipers?  Are  they 
returned  to  the  country  to  which  they  owe  allegiance  or  sent  across  the  border?  And 
if  so,  what  are  the  substantial  features  of  the  laws  or  regulations  governing  their 
disposal? — Answer.  Varies  in  different  cantons  and  communes. 

Question  7.  Please  furnish  also  the  substantial  features  of  laws  regulating  emigra- 
tion, or  immigration,  if  any,  in  the  country  where  you  are  stationed. — Answer.  The 
laws  of  this  canton  are  not  different  from  the  general  law  of  Switzerland  bearing  on 
the  subject. 

Question  8.  Do  you  know  of  any  systematic  or  organized  movement  to  divert  im- 
migration from  European  countries  to  America  of  any  class  of  immigrants  alleged  to 
be  excluded  from  their  own  country? — Answer.  No. 

Question  9.  Do  you  know  of  any  points  in  the  matter  of  regulating  and  restrict- 
ing emigration  on  which  the  Government  of  the  country  in  which  you  live  would 
be  likely  to  cooperate  with  the  United  States? — Answer.     I  do  not. 

I  have  answered  the  questions  as  nearly  as  I  can  under  the  circumstances.     I  have 
been  a  consul  of  this  post  of  St.  Gall  but  three  mouths,  and  the  situation,  as  to  emi- 
gration, has  changed  materially  since  I  was  a  consul  at  Ziirioh  some  years  ago. 
Yours,  respectfully, 

S.  H.  M.  Byeks, 

United  States  Consul. 


CONSUL  MALMBOS,  DENIA. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Denia,  Spain,  Awjust  8,  1891, 
John  B.  Weber,  Esq., 

Chairman,  etc.,  Bremen: 

Sir:  In  answer  to  your  communication,  dated  London,  July  21,  1891,  I  have  to  re- 
port that  there  is  no  emigration  of  any  description  or  class  of  persons  from  this  con- 
sular district  to  the  United  States,  nor  is  there  in  this  district  any  public  or  private 
corporation  or  association  of  pcrsoiis  ]>romoting  or  hindering  or  desirous  of  promot- 
ing or  hindering  emigration  to  the  United  States. 

Alien  criminals  are  delivered  up  to  foreign  authorities  only  in  case  an  extradition 
lyreaty  exists  between  Spain  and  the  country  to  which  the  alien  criminal  owes  alle- 
giance. 

Alien  paupers  and  beggars  are  sent  across  the  boundaries  of  any  municipality 
within  which  they  are  found  by  the  local  authorities.  AVhile  foreign  paupers  are 
within  the  boundaries  of  any  municipality  they  have  to  depend  upon  private  charity, 
principally  upon  the  charity  of  the  consul  of  their  nationality  in  case  such  a  consul 


106     ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 

happens  to  l)e  located  there.     In  case  there  is  no  snch  consul  in  the  place  the  local 
authorities,  in  sending  a  pauper  beyond  the  corporate  limits,  will  sometimes  givehim 
about  20  cents.     This  at  least  is  the  practice  in  this  consular  district,  as  I  am  informed 
by  the  mayor  of  the  town  of  Denia. 
Very  respectfully, 

Oscar  Malmros, 
V  Consul. 

P.  S. — I  shall  try  to  have  this  letter  forwarded  by  registered  mail,  but  am  doubt- 
ful whether  it  can  be  done  at  the  Denia  post-office. 


1 


CONSUL  FLETCHER,  GENOA. 

Consulate  of  the  United  States  of  America, 

14  Via  Assarotti,  Genoa,  Septemler  10,  1891. 
Hon.  J.  B.  Weber, 

Chairman  Immigration  Committee 

(Care  of  United  States  consul  at  Bremen) : 

Dear  Sir  :  Since  the  receipt  of  your  confidential  circular  I  have  been  making 
strict  inquiry  regarding  immigration  from  this  section  of  Italy  to  the  United  States, 
but  after  all  my  efforts  I  can  not  add  anything  to  what  I  have  reported  to  the  State 
Department  in  my  dispatch  No.  124,  dated  October  26, 1886,  and  in  my  dispatch  No. 
182,  dated  September  26,  1888,  on  this  subject.  The  former  report  will  be  found  on 
pages  257-260,  in  a  volume,  red  cover,  published  in  1887  by  the  Department  of  State, 
entitled  '' Emigration  and  Immigration,  1885-86."  I  do  not  know  as  my  dispatcli 
No.  182  was  ever  printed,  but  a  copy  thereof  can  be  obtained  from  Hon.  William  F. 
Wharton,  Assistant  Secretary  of  State.  Further,  as  late  as  March  18  and  May  31, 
1890, 1  had  correspondence  with  Hon.  Frank  L.  Dingley,  special  commissioner  of  the 
State  Department,  on  this  same  subject.  On  replying  to  him,  as  I  now  do  to  you,  the 
gentleman  came  to  Genoa  and  learned  from  personal  investigation  that  to  my  re- 
ports aforesaid  nothing  new  could  be  added. 

Although  the  two  dispatches  mentioned  cover  many  pages,  I  can  give  you  a  sum- 
mary very  briefly:  ''No  emigrants  have  eve7'  left  this  city,  either  by  steamer  or  by 
sailing  vessel,  bound  for  the  United  States."  *  *  *  '' The  departure  of  such  emi- 
grants takes  place  only  at  Naples  and  Palermo." 

The  above  quotations  are  copied  from  the  chief  of  police's  report  to  me,  for,  be  it 
understood,  if  Italian  law  is  enforced  no  one  can  leave  a  port  of  Italy  unknown  to  the 
police. 

It  only  remains  for  me,  then,  to  reply  to  your  interrogatory  No.  4.  In  my  opinion 
it  Avould  be  practicable  to  adopt  and  apply  an  effective  system  of  examination  of 
intending  emigrants  by  othcers  under  direction  of  Auicrican  consuls  ''or  by  special 
agents  appointed  by  our  Government.  The  latter,  I  think,  would  be  more  preferable, 
because  they  would  be  individually  responsible  to  the  Government  and  could  not 
cast  blame  on  the  easy-going  ways  or  the  rigidness  of  consuls,  .whichever  the  case 
might  be." 

If  this  system  was  adopted  it  looks  to  me  that  it  would  be  satisfactory  to  foreign 
governments  also,  for  they  nmst  see  that  if  the  emigrant  is  passed  upon  satisfactorily 
at  home  he  does  not  run  the  uncertainty  of  detention,  as  under  existing  regulations, 
on  arrival  at* ports  in  the  United  States. 

The  emigrant  should  l)e  obliged  to  meet  all  the  expenses  of  examination;  the 
amounts  charged  should  be  graded  according  to  number  of  applicants.  The  second 
section  of  interrogatory  No.  4  is  answered  by  the  following  quotation  from  my  dis- 
patch No.  124,  above  mentioned : 

"All  natives  of  Italy  are  supposed  to  have  passports  when  they  leave  the  kingdom. 
To  obtain  such  the  applicant  must  procure  from  the  municipality  of  his  native  city 
or  town  a  certificate  of  birth,  giving  therein  age,  name,  and  names  of  petitioner's 
parents.  On  this  certificate  is  also  added  the  applicant's  liability  for,  or  exemption 
from,  military  duty.  Further,  the  court  records  are  examined,  and  if  any  misde- 
meanors are  charged  against  the  man,  a  statement  to  this  effect  is  forwarded  to  police 
headquarters.  The  petitioner  must  ijresent  his  certificate  of  birth  to  the  local  chief 
of  police,  and  this  officer,  on  examination  of  all  papers  in  the  case,  either  issues  or 
refuses  a  passj)ort.  Before  the  individual  can  sail  for  a  foreign  land  all  his  papers 
are  again  examined  by  the  police  at  the  port  of  embarkation.  Without  a  passport, 
therefore,  it  seems  impossible,  except  by  great  cunning,  to  leave  Italy  by  sea  for 
other  countries." 

From  the  above  language  the  conclusion  can  be  drawn  that  the  chief  of  police  of 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    107 

the  native  town  of  tlie  iuteiiding  emigrant  can  give  the  examining  officer  all  infor- 
mation desired  about  the  candidate  for  American  honors. 

Could  I  have  received  certain  answers  to  certain  question  asked  by  me  of  certain 
higli  authorities  in  this  province,  you  would  not  have  had  to  wait  so  long  for  thia 
advice. 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

James  Fletcher, 
United  States  Consul. 


DR.  CORN'S  STATEMENT  OF  BERLIN  JEWISH  COMMITTEE  WORK. 

In  the  body  of  the  report  reference  is  made  to  the  statement  of  Dr.  H.  M.  Cohn,  of 
Berlin,  relative  to  statistics  showing  the  number  and  destination  of  Jews  driven  from 
Russia  who  had  been  aided  by  the  Jewish  committees. 

He  says :  ''  It  is  not  possible  to  give  you  an  exact  report,  but  only  some  partial  re- 
sults based  upon  numbers  aided  at  Konigsberg,  Hamburg,  and  Stettin,  but  outside 
of  these  so  few  passenger  tickets  have  been  delivered  that  the  numbers  at  these 
places  give  a  true  picture  of  the  whole  movement." 

Konigsberg  is  near  the  Russian  frontier  and  those  aided  at  Hamburg  and  Stettin 
embraced  the  same  persons  aided  at  Konigsberg. 

KONIGSBERG. 

"From  the  beginning  of  July  to  September  17,  1891,  there  were  4,309  applicants. 
Of  these  1,148  were  refused  help,  433  were  sent  back  to  Russia,  595  received  partial 
help,  2,133  received  passenger  tickets.  Column  A,  in  the  accompanying  table,  shows 
the  destination  of  the  595  people  who  received  partial  help ;  column  B  of  those  who 
received  passenger  tickets. 

HAMBURG. 

"  Column  C  shows  destination  of  the  emigrants  aided  by  the  Hamburg  committee 
in  August,  1891." 

STETTIN. 

"Column  D  shows  emigrants  dispatched  in  July;  E  those  for  August.  Stettin 
Bends  to  the  United  States  by  special  steamers,  generally  once  every  month. 

"  The  total  expenses  to  the  end  of  September  for  all  these  points  reached  about 
1,000,000  marks,  but  it  should  be  remembered  that  this  takes  in  the  Avhole  of  Ger- 
many and  those  coming  to  the  Austrian  frontier  as  well.  As  the  first  cost  of  the  in- 
stallation of  the  committees  was  very  high,  and  railway  tickets,  medical  advice,  re- 
freshments, etc.,  were  to  be  paid,  every  emigrant  receiving  such  aid  free  of  cost  to 
themselves,  at  the  outside  not  more  than  600,000  marks  have  been  paid  for  passenger 
tickets  to  the  end  of  September.  The  greatest  number  of  these  tickets  were  issued 
for  American  points,  as  is  shown  by  the  table,  but  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  also,  that 
in  August  and  September  no  emigrants  could  be  forwarded  to  the  Argentine  Republic, 
as  the  arrangements  made  under  Baron  Hirsch's  plan  had  not  at  that  time  been 
effected.  Now,  how^ever,  we  can  send  to  the  Argentine  Republic  300  emigrants  per 
week,  and  this  number  is  to  be  increased  later  on.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  also 
that  a  number  of  those  who  go  to  America  are  sent  back  again.  The  United  Hebrew 
Charities  of  New  York  send  back  every  year  from  1,000  to  1,200  Russian  emigrants. 
When  this  point  is  taken  into  consideration  it  may  not  be  .an  exaggeration  to  say 
that  up  to  the  present  time  more  Russian  Jews  have  been  sent  back  from  America  to 
Russia  than  are  sent  from  Russia  to  America,  so  far  as  the  help  of  our  committees  ia 
concerned."  * 

*  See  Vol.  I,  page  28,  et  seq. 


108 


r:TFORCEMENT    OF   ALIEN    CONTRACT    LABOR   LAWS. 


Statement  of  Dr.  H.  M.   Colin,  of  Berlin,  showing  the  numher  and  destination 
driven  from  Russia,  who  were  aided  by  the  Jewish  committee. 

KONIGSBERG,  JULY  1  TO  SEPTEMBER  17. 


ion  of  Jew^ 


-DestinatioD. 


Albany 

Amsterdam 

Argentine  EepuLlic  . . 

Baltimoi'e 

Belgium 

Boston 

Chicago 

Frankfnrt,  Germany. 
Hamburg,  Germany . . 

Hartford 

Liverpool 

London 

Mancliester 

New  York 

Philadelpbia 

Pittsburg 

IJtica 

Frontier  of  Russia  . . . 

Bavaria 

Bay  City 

Brooklyn 


Partial 
help. 


284 

113 

5 

.  3 


B.— Passen 
ger  tickets. 


31 

1 

7 

21 

15 

933 

751 

12 

2 


■Destination. 


Christiana 

Cincinnati 

Cleveland 

Columbia 

Dublin 

Glasgow 

Helena,  Mont 

Hirschberg,  (Germany 

Leeds 

Minneapolis 

Xasliville 

New  Illo  wo 

Paris 


Partial      B.— Passer 
help.         gerticket> 


Palestine 

Quebec 

Rio  de  Janeiro 
Switzerland  . . . 
Washington  . . 


Total. 


595 


HAMBURG— AUG  UST. 


C. — Destination. 


New  York 

Chicago 

Baltimore 

Boston 

Montreal 

Philadelphia.. 

Quebec 

Lancaster 

Portsmouth  . . 
Milwaukee  ... 

Paterson 

Detroit 

Svracuse  

P'ittsbni  g  . . . . 
Canton  (Oliio). 

Hamilton 

Cape 

Providence  . . . 
New  Orleans  . 

"Winnipeg 

Atlanta 

Reading 

Manitoba 


Whole 
tickets. 


One- 
half 
tickets. 


640 

125 

172 

222 

303 

238 

18 

1 

2 


280 
48 
(54 
90 
179 
12G 
6 


One- 
quarter 
tickets. 


C— Destination. 


St.  Louis 

St.  Clair  (Michigan) 

Bristol 

London  

Leeds 

Mancliester 

Hull 

Nottingham 

Grimsby 

Glasgow 

Chester 

Sunderland 

Edinburg 

Dublin 

Dundee 

Bradford 

Liverpool 

Havre 

Rotterdam 

Amsterdam 

Buenos  Ayres 

Total 


Wliole 
tickets. 


14 

2 

5 

65 

14 

17 

14 

4 

8 

7 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

2 

16 

2 

1 

13 

196 


2,152 


One-    I    One- 
half    I  quarter 
tickets,  tickets. 


3  i 
48  I 

8 
3 
8 
4 
1 


934 


C— STETTIN. 


Destination. 


D.-July. 


Boston 

New  York... 
Pittsburg  . . . 

St.  Louis 

Quebec 

Baltimore . . . 
Philadelphia 


20i 
141 
4 
5 
1 
3 
22^ 


E.— Au- 
gust. 


11 
311 


Destination. 


Chicago 

i  Atlanta 

I  Grand  Rapids. 
I  Harrisburg  . . . 

I  Scranton 

!  New  Haven . . . 
i  Milwaukee 


D.— July. 


16^ 


E.— Au- 
gust. 


It  is  to  be  remembered  that  Stettin  only  delivers  tickets  for  special  steamers  (to 
America). 

A. — Konigsberg  only  gives  the  numbers  of  persons.  No  distinction  is  made  between 
adults  and  children. 

B. — Hamburg  mentions  the  sort  of  tickets  delivered,  if  whole,  half,  or  quarter 
tickets  (according  to  age  of  emigrant). 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    109 

Copy  of  circular  sent  hy  central  committee  of  Jewish  aid  association  to  all  subordinate  com- 
mittees and  referred  to  in  Volume  I. 

Central  Committee,  35  Rue  de  Trevise, 

Alliance  Israelite  Universelle, 

Paris,  June  2,  1891. 
Esteemed  Mr.  President: 

You  have  siisely  received  our  appeal  of  yesterday.     We  send  you  herewith  the 
protocol  of  resolutions  passed.     We  will  send,  as  soon  as  possible,  the  addresses 
of  bankers  to  whom  moneys  can  be  forwarded. 
Respectfully, 

ISIDOR  LOEB, 

Secretary, 

RESOLUTIONS. 

1.  A  meeting  shall  be  speedily  called,  with  as  little  publicity  as  possible,  in  order 
not  to  increase  emigration.  The  committees  of  Berlin,  Frankfort,  Cologne,  Ham- 
burg, Breslau,  and  Vienna  are  requested  to  send  in  the  names  of  banking  iirms  in 
their  cities  to  which  funds  may  be  sent,  forthwith. 

2.  The  committee  at  Konigsberg  is  requested  to  enter  into  communication  with  the 
Jewish  communities  in  the  interior  of  Russia  in  order  to  assist  the  needy  there  and 
detain  them  in  the  country.  For  this  purpose  the  central  committee  of  the  Alliance 
Israelite  Universelle  assigns  to  this  committee  60,000  francs.  The  committee  at 
I'eiiin  is  requested  to  cooperate  with  the  committee  at  Konigsberg. 

:!.  The  head  committees  at  Berlin,  Vienna,  Hamburg,  Breslau,  and  Frankfort  are 
T I  (juested  to  take  care  of  the  emigrants  who  have  crossed  the  border  in  the  follow- 
ing manner: 

(a)  To  speedily  sejid  those  who  have  means  to  points  where  they  desire  to  go, 
leaving  them  to  follow  their  own  inclinations  in  that  matter. 

{h)  All  others  shall  be  assisted  and  the  authorities  prevailed  upon  not  to  send 
them  back  to  Russia,  trying  not  to  concentrate  them  in  great  masses. 

(c)  To  ascertain  meanwhile  the  number,  age,  trade,  ability  for  work  of  the  detained 
emigrants,  with  the  number  in  each  family,  inquiring  where  the  famil}"  want  to  go 
to,  where  it  has  relatives  ov  friends  who  will  assist  them,  and  send  such  information 
with  appropriate  notices  to  the  head  committees  at  Berlin,  Hamburg,  and  Frank- 
fort. 

{d)  As  far  as  possible  to  induce  emigrants  not  able  to  work  to  return  to  Russia,  and 
lassist  them  to  that  end.  This  class  will  be  better  off  there  tlian  in  a  strange  land. 
I  4.  Meanwhile  the  Alliance  Israelite  Universelle  will  endeavor  to  obtain  informa- 
tion about  transatlantic  republics,  especially  Argentina,  Brazil,  and  Canada  (it  is 
hardly  possible  to  think  now  of  any  other  country)  and  take  measures  to  send  able- 
bodied  emigrants  where  conditions  are  most  favorable.  All  other  above-named 
measures  are  taken  with  a  view  to  gain  time  in  order  to  complete  such  difficult  ar- 
rangements. 

5.  As  a  preliminary  step  to  such  final  arrangements  one  or  two  persons  will  be  sent 
there  to  assist  the  emigrants,  to  protect  them  from  violence  or  oppression  whiclimay 
be  feared  and  also  to  assist  them  with  the  good-will  of  their  coreligionists  who  live 
there,  although  in  limited  numbers.  Collections  made  everywhere  will  be  used  for 
this  purpose  and  the  above-named  head  committees  are  requested  to  send  us  weekly 
statements,  if  possible,  of  their  income  and  expenses.  It  is  hoped  that  in  a  month 
we  can  commence  operations  of  sending  emigrants  there. 

6.  The  head  committees  are  requested  to  send  us  daily  reports  of  the  number  of 
emigrants,  their  destination,  if  they  paid  their  own  passage,  etc. 

7.  All  donations  of  committees,  communities,  or  individuals  must  be  made  to  the 
above-named  head  committees. 

P,  S. — In  the  Argentine  Republic  the  above-named  officers  must  speak  Spanish;  in 
Brazil,  Portuguese  ;   and  in  Canada,  English. 

For  the  time  being,  shipping  of  emigrants  either  to  the  United  States  or  any  other 
country  (except  as  above  mentioned)  can  not  be  thought  of. 


LIST  OF  WAGES  AND  PRICES  OF  FOOD  AND  ROUSE  BENT, 

[Eeferred  to  in  Volume  I,  p.  105,  et  seq.] 
•BUDA-PESTH,  HUNGARY.* 

f     Price  of  wages. — Carpenters,  from  1  florin  40  kreutzers  to  1  florin  80  kreutzers  per 

*  day;  bricklayers,  from  1  florin  50  kreutzers  to  2  florins  per  day;  stone-masons,  from 

1  florin  60  kreutzers  to  2  florins  2.5  kreutzers  per  day;  blacksmiths,  from  1  florin  30 

■  1,000  kreutzers  make  a  florin,  equal  to  about  40  cents  of  our  money;  a  kilogram  is 
equal  to  about  2.2  pounds. 


110    ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS. 


1 


kreutzers  to  1  florin  80  kreiitzers  per  day;  tinsmiths,  from  1  florin  30  kreutzers  to  2 
florins  per  day;  locksmiths,  from  1  florin  40  kreutzers  to  2  florins  25  kreutzers  per  , 
day;  laborers,  from  85  kreutzers  to  1  florin  25  kreutzers  per  day.     The  law  prohibits  1 
a  person  from  pursuing  more  than  one  business  or  vocation.  ' 

Frices  of  provisions  per  kilogram. — Beef,  65  to  80  kreutzers ;  pork,  65  to  70  kreutzers; 
potatoes,  5 to 8 kreutzers;  flour,  12  to  19  kreiitzers;  bread,  14  to  15  kreutzers;  sugar, 
42  to  46  kreutzers;  coff'ee,  1  florin  40 kreutzers  to  2  florins  20 kreutzers;  tea,  3  florins 
to  12  florins.  The  ordinary  laborer  lives  principally  upon  rye  breaa,  soup,  cheap 
vegetables,  and  once  or  twice  a  week  salt  or  smoked  meats. 

Boom  rent  for  working  class  of  people. — One  room  and  kitchen,  from  100  to  260  florins 
per  year ;  two  rooms  and  kitchen,  from  160  to  380  florius  per  year ;  three  rootus  and 
kitchen,  from  360  to  520  florins  per  year. 

EPERJES,  HUNGARY. 

Price  of  wages. — Carpenters,  from  1  florin  30  kreutzers  to  1  florin  60  kreutzers  per 
day;  bricklayers,  from  1  florin  40  to  1  florin  80  kreutzers  per  day;  stone-masons,  from 
1  florin  40  kreutzers  to  1  florin  60  kreutzers  per  day ;  blacksmiths,  6  florins  per  week 
and  board;  tinsmiths,  from  5  to  7  florins  per  week  and  board;  locksmiths,  from  6  to 
8  florins  per  week  and  board ;  laborers  (men),  from  1  florin  10  kreutzers  to  2  florins 
per  day;  laborers  (women),  from  60  kreutzers  to  80  kreutzers  per  day. 

Prices  of  provisions  x>€r  kilogram. — Beef,  from  48  kreutzers  to  52  kreutzers;  pork, 
from  52  to  55  kreutzers ;  potatoes,  3  kreutzers ;  flour,  from  13  kreutzers  to  19  kreutz- 
ers; bread,  from  6  to  12  kreutzers;  sugar,  from  42  kreutzers  to 44 kreutzers;  coffee, 
from  1  florin  8  kreutzers  to  2  florins  2  kreutzers ;  tea,  from  3  florins  to  10  ^orins. 

Rental  of  apartments  for  laboring  classes. — One  room  and  kitchen,  from  60  to  80 
florins  per  year ;  two  rooms  and  kitchen,  from  100  to  120  florins  per  year ;  three  rooms 
and  kitchen,  150  to  200  florins  per  year. 

MUNICH,  BAVARIA.* 

List  of  wages  (reduced  to  our  currency). — Carpenters  (per  week),  from  $6  to  $7.50; 
blacksmiths  (per  week),  from  $3.75  to  $5.25;  masons  (per  week),  from  $6  to  $7.50; 
tailors  (per  week),  from  $3.50  to  $3.75;  shoemakers  (per  week),  from  $3  to  $4.25; 
laborers  (per  week),  fi'om  $4.25  to  $4.50.  Farm  laborers  per  day — men,  with  board, 
from  23  to  31  cents ;  women,  with  board,  from  15  to  28  cents ;  men,  without  board, 
from  38  to  47  cents;  women,  without  board,  from  23  to  35  cents.  In  the  summer 
season  farm  laborers  are  required  to  work  from  13  to  15  hours  per  day. 

Cost  of  provisions. — Beef,  per  pound,  17  to  19  cents ;  pork,  per  pound,  16  to  20 
cents;  coffee,  per  pound  (roasted),  32  to  50  cents;  coffee,  per  pound  (unroasted),  29 
to  35  cents;  tea,  per  pound,  60  to  $1.12;  potatoes,  per  bushel,  37  to  62  cents;  beer, 
per  liter,  6^^  cents. 

CRACOW — GALLICIA.  t 

List  of  wages. — Rough  carpenters,  1  to  1^  guldens  per  day ;  finishing  carpenter  and 
cabinet-maker,  1  to  3  guldens  per  day ;  bricklayers,  li  to  If  guldens  per  day ;  tin- 
smiths, 1  to  2  guldens  per  day;  grain-handlers,  1  gulden  to  1  gulden  20  kreutzers  per 
day ;  laborers,  60  kreutzers  to  1  gulden  per  day ;  tirst-class  house  servants,  from  50 
to  80  guldens  per  year,  with  board  aad  lodging. 

Prices  of  provisions. — Beef,  26  to  30  kreutzers  per  pound;  potatoes,  2  guldens  per 
100  pounds;  rye  bread,  7  kreutzers  perpound;  sugar,  18 kreutzers  per  pound;  coffee, 
60  kreutzers  to  1  gulden  20  kreutzers  per  pound;  tea,  from  75  kreutzers  upwards. 


CONSUL  WAMEB,  COLOGNE. 

United  States  Consulate, 

Cologne,  October  23, 1891. 
Mr.  Walter  Kemster,  m.  d.. 

Member  Special  Commission,  United  States  Taeasury  Department : 

In  reply  to  your  interrogatories  concerning  wages  and  the  cost  of  different  articles 
of  food  in  this  consular  district,  I  submit  to  you  the  following  figures : 

IVages  {per  diem). — Masons,  in  summer,  4  marks ;  in  winter,  3  marks ;t  carpenters, 

*  10  to  12  hours  constitute  the  work  day. 

+  An  Austrian  gulden  is  equivalent  to  a  florin. 

t  A  mark,  containing  100  pfennige,  is  equal  to  about  24  cents. 


ENFORCEMENT  OF  ALIEN  CONTRACT  LABOR  LAWS.    Ill 

from  2.50  to  4  marks ;  locksmitlis,  from  2.50  to  3.50  marks ;  blacksmiths,  from  2.50  to 
8.50  marks;  day  laborers,  from  2.20  to  3  marks;  farm  laborers,  without  board,  2 
marks. 

Cost  of  different  articles  of  food. — Rye,  24  marks  per  100  kilos ;  wheat  23  marks  per 
100  kilos;  oats,  15  marks  per  100  kilos;  beef  meat,  70  pfennige  per  oue-half  kilo;  veal, 
70  pfennige  per  one-half  kilo ;  mutton,  70  pfennige  per  one-half  kilo ;  smoked  bacon, 
80  pfennige  per  one-half  kilo ;  salt  bacon,  70  pfennige  per  one-half  kilo ;  lard,  80  pfen- 
nige per  one-half  kilo.  Black  bread  costs  about  25  pfennige  per  kilo. 
Very  respectfully, 

Wm.  D.  Wamer, 
United  States  Consul, 


INDEX. 


^ 


Paga 

Acts,  British  passenger,  extracts  from 3 

Ag-ents,  regulations  for,  North  Atlantic  Steam  Traffic  Company 12 

Australian  Government,  form  of,  emigrant  permit  issued  by.. 54 

Alliance  Israelite  Universelle,  letter  from 109 

British  passenger  acts  affecting  emigration 3 

regulations  affecting  emigration _._  8,  9 

Belgium,  laws  concerning  emigration  from 16 

defining  equipment  of  ships 18 

Batcheller,  George  S.,  United  States  minister  to  Portugal,  letter  of 44 

Compagnie  Generale  Transatlantique,  statistics  from 31 

Contagious  diseases,  regulations  concerning  Netherlands  Steamship  Com- 
pany   __ 35 

Consuls,  U.S.,  tabulated  statement  of  replies  from 36 

Consul,  U.  S.,  Charles  F.  Johnson,  Hamburg,  letter  from 38 

Hugo  M.  Starkloff,  Bremen,  letter  from 38 

Consul-general,  U.  S.,  Julius  Goldschmidt,  Vienna,  letter  from 40 

W.  H.Edwards,  Berlin,  letter  from 41 

John  S.  Twells,  Naples,  letter  from 43 

G.  Gade,  Christiania,  letter  from 45 

John  H.  Stuart,  Antwerp,  letter  from 46 

T.  M.  Schleier,  Amsterdam,  letter  from 47 

Oscar  P.  Williams,  Havre,  letter  from 48 

Consul,  vice,  U.  S.,  Axel  Georgii,  Stockholm,  letter  from 50 

Joseph  Rawicz,  Warsaw,  letter  from 51 

H.  Wertheim,  Moscow,  letter  from 52 

Consul-general,  U.  S.,  John  M.  Crawford,  St.  Petersburg,  letter  from 53 

John  J.  Piatt,  Cork,  letter  from-- __  53 

Consul,  vice,  U.  S.,  William  Gibson.  Glasgow,  letter  from 59 

.      F.  W.  Catlin,  Munich,  letter  from 59 

Alex.  Brandt,  Marseilles,  letter  from.. ___  61 

James  Kellogg,  Stettin,  letter  from 62 

Horace  C.  Pugh,  Palermo,  letter  from 63 

Charles  H.  Shepard,  Gothenburg,  letter  from 65 

Howard  Fox,  Falmouth,  letter  from 67 

Horace  W.  Metcalf,  Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  letter  from.  67 

Edmund  B.  Fairfield,  Lyons,  letter  from 68 

William  T.  Rice,  Leghorn,  letter  from 69 

Consul-general,  U.  S.,  Augustus  O.  Bourn,  Rome,  letter  from  -._ 71 

Auiick  Palmer,  Dresden,  letter  from 72 

Consul,  vice,  general,  U.  S.,  Alexander  Viol,  Nice,  letter  from 72 

Commercial  Agent  Francis  B.  Loomis,  St.  Etienne,  letter  from 73 

W.  P.  Atwell.  Roubaix,  letter  from 75 

Consul,  U.  S.,  Chas.  Grellet,  Algiers,  letter  from 75 

Consul,  vice,  U.  S.,  M.  Ordonnaud,  Cognac,  letter  from 74 

Consul,  U.S.,  H.  D.' Bennett,  Nantes,  letter  from  76 

Geo.  W.  Roosevelt,  Brussels,  letter  from 76 

E.  Johnson,  Kehl,  letter  from 76 

Consul-general,  U.  S.,  Frank   H.  Max  on,  Frankfort-on-the-Main,   letter 

from 78 

Wm.  F.  Grinnell,  Manchester,  letter  from  -. 79 

Charles  Heath,  Catania,  letter  from 80 

CharlesP.  Williams,  letter  from 81 

W.D.  Warner,  Cologne,  letter  from  _. 85 

Alton  Augier,  Rheims,  letter  from 86 

H.  F.  Merritt,  Chemnitz,  letter  from _. 87 

Commercial  Agent  W.  P.  Symth,  Huddersfield,  letter  from 87 

H.  Ex.  37 64  ^^^ 


114  INDEX. 

Pag 

Consul,  U.  S.,  Henry  W.  Diederich,  Leipzig,  letter  from. 8 

Evans  Blake,  Cref eld,  letter  from 8 

W.  J.  Black,  Nuremberg,  letter  from 9 

L.  A.  Lathrop,  Bristol,  letter  from '9 

Wallace  Bruce,  Edinburgh,  letter  from 9 

D.  J.  Partello,  Dusseldorf,  letter  from  _ _ 9 

E.  W  Peffer,  Milan,  letter  from --- _ 9 

Wm.  A.  Rublee,  Prague,  letter  from 9 

G.  G iff ord, Basle,  letterfrom 9 

Joseph  E.  Hayden,  Breslau,  letterfrom 9i 

R.  J.  Hamick,  Geneva,  letter  from 9' 

Louis  Gottschalk,  Stuttgart,  letter  from 9; 

W.  Burgess,  Tunstall.  letter  from  .__ _  9i 

George  L.  Catlin,  Zurich,  letter  from 9! 

Consul,  vice,  U.  S.,  Herman  Donner,  Helsingfors.  letter  from  _ 10( 

John  B .  Osborne ,  Ghent,  letter  from 10: 

Frank  Hessenbruch,  Barmen,  letter  from 10! 

T.  M.  Newson,  Malaga,  letterfrom _ 10: 

R.  A.Turner,  Cadiz,  lett.^r  from 10; 

Cirelo  Molina  y  Cros,  Carthagena,  letter  from  ._ lO; 

Consular  Agent  James  D.  Reid,  Dunfermline,  letter  from __ 10' i 

Consul,  U.S.,  S.  H.  M.  Byers,  St.  Gall,  letter  from 10; 

Oscar  Malmros,  Denia,  letter  from 10; 

James  Fletcher,  Genoa,  letter  from ___ lOi 

Cohn,  Dr.  H.  M.,  statement  of,  concerning  Jewish  emigration 10' 

Emigrants,  Britieh  laws  concerning  transportation  of ;  i 

who  may  sell  tickets  to,  in  Great  Britain _ {I 

runner,  who  may  act  as,  in  Great  Britain _.__ *' 

regulations  concerning,  in  Great  Britain  -._ I 

ticket,  form  of.  defiued,  in  Great  Britain l: 

lodgings,  regulations  concerning,  in  Great  Britain. 1! 

from  Holland,  laws  governing L 

tickets  sold  in  Holland,  what  to  contain _ 1^ 

regulations  concerning  transit  from  Holland 1{ 

Belgium 1( 

how  to  be  provided  for,  on  ships  from  Belgium  .._ 1^ 

from  Prussia,  laws  concerning _ II 

Germany,  laws  concerning  ._ _ _ 11 

Emigration  statistics,  New  York  to  Liverpool ._._ 2] 

Bremen __ _ 3( 

Antwerp. 3( 

Havre. 31 

Italy. 3i 

Hamburg 3^ 

Stettin 31 

Baltimore  to  Hamburg 3c 

Philadelphia  to  Hamburg 3c 

from  Holland  .-_ 4^1 

permit  issued  Ly  Australian  government 54 

statistics  from  Italy,  official  statement  of 7C 

Boulogne-sur-Mer 82 

of  Jewish,  to  America 10^ 

Form  of  bond,  and  license  required  by  steamship  pasenger  agents,  Great 

Britain — S 

passenger  ticket  defined,  Great  Britain 11 

license.  White  Star  Line 13 

Germany,  laws  concerning  emigration,  from IS 

who  may  sell  emigrant  tickets  in 18 

police  authorities  notified  when  ticket  is  sold 20 

Holland,  extracts  from  emigration  laws  of _ 13 

passage  brokers,  laws  governing 14 

Hamburg  American  Packet  Company,  emigration  statistics  of 32 

Holland  emigration  from,  statistics  of 48 

Italy,  statistics  of  return  emigration  to 32 

statistics  of  emigration  from,  otlicial. 70 

Jewish  emigration,  statistics  concerning.. 108 

committee,  resolutions  of — • --  109 


INDEX.  115 

Page. 

Laws  concerning  emigration  from  Holland,  extracts  from 13 

Belgium __. 16 

Prussia 19 

Laws  concerning  emigration,  extracts  from  Sweden  and  Norway 3 

Great  Britain 3 

Laws  governing  sales  of  steamship  passenger  tickets,  Great  Britain 4 

defining  punishments  for  breach  of  passenger  acts.  Great  Britain...  7 

Lodgings,  charge  for.  in  Liverpool,  now  regulated  for  emigrants 12 

Licens^  form  of,  White  Star  Line __ 13 

Liverpool  steamship  lines,  statistics  from __  21 

Letters  from  United  States  consuls,  tabulated  replies  of 36 

Netherlands- American  Steamship  Navigation  Company,  regulations  of ..  34 

concerning  con- 
tagious dis- 
eases-   35 

North  Atlantic  Steam  Traffic  Company,  regulations  of,  for  agents... 12 

members  of 12 

North  German  Lloyd  Steamship  Company,  emigration  statistics  from 30 

Passenger  acts.  Great  Britain 3 

tickets ,  laws  concerning  sale  of,  Great  Britain 4 

form  of ,  defined,  Great  Britain 11 

Prussia,  laws  of,  concerning  emigration  from 19 

sale  of  tickets  to  emigrants 19 

Regulations  British,  concerning  transportation  of  emigrants 9 

for  agents  North  Atlantic  Steam  Traffic  Company. 12 

lodging  emigrants 12 

concerning  transportation  of  emigrants  from  Holland. 15 

Belgium 17 

Prussia 19 

Germany 19 

Returns ,  emigration  from  New  York  to  Liverpool 21 

Red  Star  Line  steamships,  emigration  returns  from 30 

Returns,  emigration  from  New  York  to  Bremen 30 

Antwerp 30 

Havre 30 

Italy 32 

Hamburg. 32 

Stettin _ ^..  32 

Baltimore  to  Hamburg _  33 

Philadelphia  to  Hamburg. 33 

Statistics,  emigration,  New  York  to  Live  rpool 21 

Bremen 30 

Antwerp 30 

Havre 30 

Italy 32 

Hamburg. 32 

Stettin 32 

Europe,  totals 33 

from  Boulogne-sur-Mer... 82 

Sweden  and  Norway,  laws  concerning  emigration  from 3 

Tickets,  passensrer,  law  governing  sale  of.  Great  Britain 4 

license  for  sale  of,  how  obtained ,  Great  Britain 5 

Ticket-seller's  bond,  form  of,  Great  Britain 5 

license,  form  of.  Great  Britain _ _.  5 

emigrant,  form  defined,  Great  Britain 11 

steamship  passenger  in  Holland,  defined 14 

Tickets,  steamship  passenger  in  Holland,  who  qualified  to  sell 15 

Prussia,  who  qualified  to  sell.. 19 

Germany,  who  qualified  to  sell 19 

when  sold,  agent  to  notify  German  police  authorities. 20 

Tabulated  statement  of  consular,  letters  on  emigration 36 

Wages,  list  of,  Buda-Pesth 110 

Eperjes,  Hungary 110 

Munich 111 

Cracow. 111 

Cologne Ill 

O 


t 


1 


WBi 


